First time loader with first 200 round range report

[Chief-7700]

I concur with Chris's friend " Use one mag that you know functions"
In my experience finding the cause of FTFs is a process of elimination.

[1911dude]

No, it's not a joke...it's an observation...
Dirty feed ramp: 1st round didn't feed
Clean feed ramp: 1st round feeds
Clean or dirty feed ramp: the remaining 7 rounds feed


Looks like I got some experimentation to do. Thanks for all the help guys.

[spencerhut]

Do any of you guys actually load or shoot wadcutters?

Why are you sending this guy chasing his tail? It isn't the magazine, it's the OAL of the round.

Let's see . . gun works fine until new reloads are used. Now all the sudden the magazines are defective? If he was using ProMag's *maybe*. But Checkmate & Wilson come on . . .

[Chief-7700]

Do any of you guys actually load or shoot wadcutters?

Why are you sending this guy chasing his tail? It isn't the magazine, it's the OAL of the round.

Let's see . . gun works fine until new reloads are used. Now all the sudden the magazines are defective? If he was using ProMag's *maybe*. But Checkmate & Wilson come on . . .

That is all I shoot 200 grain LSWCs, both the barrel feed ramps on my M-1911 and the TRP Operator have been opened up and polished. Without seeing pictures of the feed ramp, the barrel to frame fit in a dirty condition it is a bit more difficult diagnose the FTF problems.

[spencerhut]

Our Springfield Loaded, Para SSP, Les Baer Premier II, and Kimber Pro Carry II all feed and function with LSWC loaded at 1.200 OAL with any magazine (Tripp, Wilson, MecGar, factory) we use. None of these guns have been polished or tinkered with.
We shoot steel challenge (300 rds a match) with 200g LSWC and very rarely ever have a feed issue with any of the 1911's.
No amount of shooting, short of shoving a 1911 in the sand or dirt should effect this providing the gun remains lubed up.

[bootcamp]

I agree with Spencer. Pointing fingers at 1911 magazines is a classic response for all problems.

OP, please refer back to my first response in this thread.

FWIW, my speer #14 manual states: 200gr LSWC 1.275" COAL tested.

My Lyman manual states: 200 gr LSWC 1.235" COAL tested.
Clays:
Min: 3.9gr 701fps
Max: 4.4gr 839fps

Secondly, regarding lead. Do you leave the excess lube all over the bullet tip or do you wipe it off?

Thirdly, regarding lead. Have you checked your barrel for leading? Like I said, lead reloading for a first time reloader will have a higher learning curve and doesn't have the forgiveness jacketed projectiles have. I started off with 230gr LRN 452 and have since converted everything over to jacketed. The money savings associated with learning curve and excess barrel scrubbing wasn't worth it to me. Keep in mind you will also have to clean your seater and crimp dies more often. Just my opinion.

[1911dude]

Bootcamp, I'm not sure what you mean by excess lube on the bullet but there was none on them. They are moly coated so I wonder if that had anything to do with my issues. This is the first time shooting lead and I haven't cleaned the gun yet so I can't comment on leading just yet. Thanks for the load info...like I said, I got some experimenting to do.

[Chief-7700]

Bootcamp, I'm not sure what you mean by excess lube on the bullet but there was none on them. They are moly coated so I wonder if that had anything to do with my issues. This is the first time shooting lead and I haven't cleaned the gun yet so I can't comment on leading just yet. Thanks for the load info...like I said, I got some experimenting to do.

1911, I have been following your first post. If you have not cleaned your gun yet would you do something for me? Lock the slide back and tell me what your feed ramp looks like.

[1911dude]

Chief, I just checked and I forgot I ran the bore snake through it a couple of times before leaving the range so the feed ramp is fairly clean but I haven't disassembled it yet. One thing I noticed using Clays versus using new ammo like Remington UMC or WWB is that there was virtually no powder residue around the muzzle. There was a lot of residue on the inside of the slide around the ejection port as well as on the outside of the barrel though.