Problem ammo? what to check? .45 ACP

[Lucky Scott]

I have a colt 1911 officers model that seems to have a problem with my reloads. It works better with factory ammo.
People say "Its your ammo" but what do I check? How to improve my reloads. Here is my data....

.45 ACP
230 ball projectiles, 4.8 gr 700X, overall COAL 1.250, crimp the brass about .005

My colt wants to jam and have either a failure to feed or failure to eject. I have taken it to a gunsmith and he went thru it completely.
(my 4.8 is max load according to my book)
(gunsmith was Randall and he is the best. I know he did a good job.)

What should I try? different powder? different ammo?

[Bastard]

have you done a plunk test with your loads?

your COAL, might be a bit long, but I would have to grab my book to double check and I am currently too lazy to go get it

[BigBronco]

Too much crimp can bulge the case and cause those problems. Don't ask me how I know. It was a long long time ago.

[Two Shots]

I use the same load except COAL is 1.200, try the plunk test like Bastard suggested.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

You say it "works better" with factory ammo but that doesn't sound good. Should be 100% with good ammo. Could be your magazines are crappy? What brand?

Do you check the cases after sizing with a case gauge? Then again after seating bullet ? Are you flaring the cases before seating the bullets. Lead or jacketed? Round nose or hollow point or ?

[stevec223]

[sirgrumps]

1.) plunk test - see if the ammo fits under no stress
2.) assuming that works, check several rounds for OAL. I don’t remember the ball number of the top of my head, but you are in the right ball park.
3.) check diameter at the case mouth after crimping, I suspect it’s big.
4.) check if resizing die is going full length enough.
5.) magazines are the next culprit, first the lips then the spring - use shooting stars, that eliminates one possible error
6.) Have someone else shoot it, possible limp wrist?

[ysr_racer]

Has anyone mentioned a plunk test yet?

[pennstater]

sirgrumps pretty much covered it. I'll add this; my 1911-A1 is a SA mil-spec using only McCormick "Shooting Star" mags. 230gr RN and my OAL is 1.265" and feed/fires/ejects reliably. sirgrumps #3 may be your issue.

MLC

[Lucky Scott]

Thanks all, you all gave me something to think about.
1. Will try a shorter length COAL
2. Will check for bulge around crimp
3. will try less crimp
4. Plunk test

Mags are Chip McCormack

[therealnickb]

From WC.

https://www.wilsoncombat.com/handgun-faqs/

We are believers in the value of reloading your own ammunition for practice and competition. For these venues we especially like hard cast H&G 68 200 grain bullets loaded at 875 fps with an OAL of 1.250″ and a taper crimp of .468″-470″.
We recommend that your reloaded ammunition generally meet the following standards:
-1.250″-1.260″ OAL
-.468″-.470″ taper crimp at the case mouth
-800-850 fps muzzle velocity
-Tight bullet to case fit that resists “push back” when feeding

[pacrat]

Thanks all, you all gave me something to think about.
1. Will try a shorter length COAL
2. Will check for bulge around crimp
3. will try less crimp
4. Plunk test

Mags are Chip McCormack

[1] ... Do your rounds fit mag, and plunk OK?

[2] ... ACP require a "TAPER CRIMP" because of headspace on mouth. Can't bulge with taper crimp. Can bulge with "roll crimp". Should not apply.

[3] ... Taper crimp, ONLY until case is STRAIGHT. Same for ALL rimless pistol ammo. I use a small steel straight edge and check for light between it and case mouth. IF you over crimp with taper die. You actually make bullet loose in case.

(my 4.8 is max load according to my book)

Check other sources. LEE 2nd Ed. Says 4.8 700x is only 770 fps with 230 ball. Original 45 GI ball was 850 fps.

Not even some one with Randall's experience can tell whether a pistol will function with a given ammo unless he shoots it.

My colt wants to jam and have either a failure to feed or failure to eject.

Extremely unlikely anything to do with crimp. Or OAL, if it fits mag and plunks. More likely a "match recoil spring to load" issue.

230 ball at 770 fps, you may likely need to beef load a bit. Or go to a lighter recoil spring. Sounds like MAY be over sprung.

Can't really diagnose on internet.

[sirgrumps]

Thanks all, you all gave me something to think about.
1. Will try a shorter length COAL
2. Will check for bulge around crimp
3. will try less crimp
4. Plunk test

Mags are Chip McCormack

[sigstroker]

Officers Model is intolerant of ammo because the cycle is so short.

Post pics of the ammo, close-ups.

Get a good cartridge gauge, plunk test isn't good enough.

Try a Colt magazine. I have some CMC mags that work and some that don't.

[drkphibr]

If you haven't used a Lee FCG (factory crimp die) as your last step in making your rounds, give that a try.

I have found that to solve many of my finicky (i.e., usually a match barrel with tighter tolerances) loading issues. Some 45's are fine with a seat/crimp combo die, others seem to need that FCD touch.