45 ACP issues

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

that's funny as I have exactly the opposite problem. I've loaded tens of thousands of 45 and never once measured a case other than checking OAL after the fact. I use a Dillon 650/750 now and have loaded close to 100K of pistol rounds with zero problems. I went to the single stage to load 38/357 and am having loads of problems with them fitting the sizing block. I kept my S&W 586 close to check the ones that didn't gage right. 80 percent would fit but they were snug. I tried re-doing the die at least a dozen times. Got through 800 rounds but what a night mare!!

[Sass25479]

After measuring the crimps I'm getting the impression that the sizing die isn't down far enough. The crimps are measuring between. 473 and .474. I have shells with both measurments that fit and now they are stopping about the last 1/8th inch.

So the consensus is to screw the die down to the shell plate and then go another half turn further?

Also the shells that measure less than 1.275, at what measurment would you not use them and take them apart? I'm using 3.5 grains of clays.

[bigbossman]

Shouldn't the crimps be around .472?

[Sass25479]

The data I have shows .473

[bruce381]

get a tapper crimp and do it in the last station so seat and crimp are seperate.
get a dial caliper tapper crimp to .472-473 at the case mouth problem solved.

and yeah the sizer die should almost touch the shell plate when t is raised all the way up.

[sigguy552]

After measuring the crimps I'm getting the impression that the sizing die isn't down far enough. The crimps are measuring between. 473 and .474. I have shells with both measurments that fit and now they are stopping about the last 1/8th inch.



So the consensus is to screw the die down to the shell plate and then go another half turn further?



Also the shells that measure less than 1.275, at what measurment would you not use them and take them apart? I'm using 3.5 grains of clays.

Fully seat your size die and you'll be fine.

Sent from my LG-AS993 using Tapatalk

[Elgatodeacero]

I would recommend stopping reloading .45 until you can function test your loads from this first batch.

[bruce381]

may want to buy a interna bullet puller for any mistakes

[Sass25479]

I have one.
I didn't plan on loading a lot, just enough to test.
But what's the point in taking rounds to the range if they don't pass the case guage test?

[five.five-six]

I've done a little bit of .45ACP and I've never had this problem. by a little bit, I've finished 2 X 8# jugs and load 4.3 grains per load on avrage, you do the math.

First thing, I have decided that case gauges are all but useless. Pull the barrel from the gun you are using this in and you have a free case gauge.

Also, I never make more than several dozen of anything until I have flawlessly run it through my gun(s)

[five.five-six]

may want to buy a interna bullet puller for any mistakes

I tried that but at the rate I make mistakes I quickly upgraded to a collet puller

[gixxnrocket]

Maybe a pic of the cartridge and a "bad" cartridge in your case gauge?
I rarely use case gauges anymore. When in doubt ill grab a barrel and plunk test it. Far too often I have winchester brass that hangs up at the head or rim in the gauge but plunks and cycles just fine.

[eaglemike]

Yupper, .472 at the crimp.

You'll want to set the crimp with your shortest cases. A little extra crimp due to a longer case won't hurt.
People seated and crimped in the same station for long time, so it can be done. If you have a nice crimp groove (some molds have this) it's easier to do it this way and have it look nice. If you have a 4 station press it's nicer to crimp separately.
Agree with above that your case length number might be wrong - be sure you are really using .45ACP brass. Also agree that it's pretty much never ever needed to trim .45ACP brass. Most chambers are long enough that cartridge is held by the extracter. If you have a true match chamber, there is a chance your case will headspace against the end of the chamber. Usually the cases are too short for that though.
Good luck!

[Cheep]

Lots of ideas here...
Use a sharpie on the outside of one that won't fit the gauge, push the cartridge into the gauge and see where it wears the sharpie off. That will take the guess work out of the problem.

[Sass25479]

[QUOTE=five.five-six;24201132]I've done a little bit of .45ACP and I've never had this problem. by a little bit, I've finished 2 X 8# jugs and load 4.3 grains per load on avrage, you do the math.

Wait a second, I wasn't being a smart mouth. I came on here asking for help from others with more experience with than I. There was no disrespect intended. I've lost track of the number of 8 pound kegs that I've gone through. It's been a lot of years since I've had to set up dies. I mostly shoot cowboy action and very little simi- auto. I normally just pop off a toolhead and pop on another. This is the first time I've worked with rimless cases.

As far as the case lengths I'm sure that I just had a brain fart and remembered the wrong number.

I'll start over again later today after my chores are finished and see what happens.

Thanks for all of the help.