45 ACP reloads

[RikSors]

I have been reloading rifle ammo for a while. I started reloading pistol ammo since 45ACPs are so hard to obtain. Seems to me that pistol reloading is a new ballgame. There is a big difference on the factory reloaded FMJ ammo COAL (see pics). Both seats pretty well on my Lone Wolf Barrel (G30). Anything higher will not chamber properly. Should I be concerned on the pressure? Is the bulge normal (considering it is a .452 and not a standard .451)? Or is this a disaster ready to happen? Just wondering if this will be good to go and not go KABOOM...

I thought I give it a shot on the web before going to the range.

Components:

Oregon Trail Laser Cast LRN (230 grain - .452)
HS-6 @ 8.00 grains
COAL@ 1.185
mixed brass
win LP primer

I appreciate all the help. Any feedback is gratefully welcome.

[anothergunnut]

Hodgdon's web site shows a beginning load of 7.0 grains of HS-6 and a max load of 8.0 grains so you are starting at the recommended max. The web site also shows a COL of 1.200 so you are increasing the pressure on that powder. .452 is standard for lead bullets, jacketed bullets are .451.

I wouldn't fire that load.

[bearing01]

The 45ACP should head space the case off the mouth - determining how deep the cartridge sits in the barrel. The bullet itself should not affect it. Looks like you have the lead bullet seated too deep. I usually aim for COL = 1.25"

[pdq_wizzard]

Also it looks like you are using a roll crimp, with .45 you should do a taper crimp.

You didn't load 100's of them like that did you? that would suck to have to pull them all. And 8gr is a lot to start with.

[dstiltner]

I wouldn't fire that load.

+1

Starting at max load is never a good idea. I also load to factory COL at a minimum. I try to load it longer as long as it fits my magazine and chambers properly. My COL for .45 ACP Hardball is ~1.270 and functions well in both of my 1911s.

[RikSors]

Thanks guys. Lesson learned. Will back it up and lower the grains.

BTW, Is there going to be a huge difference on the pressure using roll and taper crimps? Or roll crimp is a no-no for this cartridge.

I had the impression that 45ACPs pressure are more lenient to deal with.

[EBR Works]

Yep, I agree. Pull all of them and start over. Bullet seated too deep, too great a charge weight, roll crimp. The cartridge headspaces off the mouth so you cannot roll crimp .45 ACP. Sorry.....

[pdq_wizzard]

the problem comes from headspacing off the mouth of the case. back your die off and see if it will slide into the chamber (that's why I taper crimp, so I don't have jams).

Thanks guys. Lesson learned. Will back it up and lower the grains.

BTW, Is there going to be a huge difference on the pressure using roll and taper crimps? Or roll crimp is a no-no for this cartridge.

I had the impression that 45ACPs pressure are more lenient to deal with.

[ireload]

With .45 acp taper crimp is the only way to go. When you roll crimp it throws off the headspacing. You can see it when you do the side by side pic of the Blazer ammo and your reload. Your reload is "in" more than the Blazer.

You bullet is also seated a bit deep as others have pointed out.

It also normal to get a slight bulge on one side of the brass especially with cast bullet since it's .001 larger diameter than jacketed.

[J-cat]

Lazercast bullets are typically .4525" and most match barrels have .452" throats. As you can see, you can't load these to standard OAL. What you have done is loaded the bullet deep enough in the case to hide all of the bullet shank. The normal OAL for these is 1.250-1.275". At that OAL, some of the bullet shamk sticks out past the case mouth. But such a round won't chamber in a tightly throated gun.

I bought a Lee .451" sizer die for $15. It sizes my lazercast bullets to .4515" and they chamber just fine at the proper OAL. Maybe you should do the same, and taper crimp as well.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Something I recently found out was that over-crimping lead or copper plated bullets causes them to tumble when fired.

Look at the holes on the target. They should be nice and round/symetrical.

In Christ: Raymond