Help with SWC load for 1911

[artichokie]

I have a springfield mil-spec 1911, all stock. I've used 7 round springfield magazines and 8 round CMC magazines.

I loaded 200g Lead SWC with 5.4gr W231 at OAL of 1.235

It seems that about 1/3 of my loads ftf. Seems to happen more with the CMC magazines. It kinda just gets hung up on the barrel. Re-racking the slide usually feeds the round. My cases eject with no problem. I haven't noticed any pattern, it could happen to any round in the magazine. The first round is usually fine.

What should i try to fix this? Do i make the rounds shorter? Or do i make them longer? More powder? Or do i just gotta experiment... I'd prefer to make no modifications to the gun.

Thanks in Advance.

[Bill Steele]

Need a little more data on the feed problem. Does it hang up with the round partially in the chamber? Or is it jamming before the bullet gets into the chamber, like it is diving?

[artichokie]

Yeah, the round is like halfway in the chamber. The round is slanted. Hope that helps...

I should've taken a picture... next time...

[Ubermcoupe]

It could be that when you crimped the rounds some of the lead may have deformed and changed the size/width of the round, keeping them from feeding/chambering correctly.

Check around the cannelure.

I know I had similar experiences with some of my SWC loads for my HK USP.

[Bill Steele]

Yeah, the round is like halfway in the chamber. The round is slanted. Hope that helps...

I should've taken a picture... next time...

The first thing I would look at is the crimp. With most semi-auto handguns you just want to take the belling out of the case with the crimp.

With .45ACP and lead, it is best to crimp the case mouth so the outside dimension right at the case mouth is .469-.470".

A corollary to the above advice is to make sure you are seating the bullet so only about 1/16" of the bearing surface is above the case mouth. Your OAL sounds about right, but bullets are different shapes from mold to mold, so just in case, check to make sure only about 1/16" of the cylindrical part of the bullet (before the wadcutter part starts) is above the case mouth.

These are the first two things I would look at.

[M27]

I have a similar problem with a load I did with 200gn SWC and trail boss

it is so low powered that if you limp wrist at all the slide will pick up the next round in front of the rim instead of how it is supposed too.

according to hodgdon 5.4 grains is towards the max but your OAL is a little long, try shortening your OAL to 1.225" to increase your case pressure

[Jonathan Doe]

I used 200 grain Lead SWC bullets with 4.8 grains of Winchester 231 and Federal large pistol match primer for bullseye shootng. I have never had a issue.

[korny351]

I agree with Bill. I'm thinking OAL needs to be dialed in. I run 1.250 with both Missouri Bullet and Mastercast 200 gr. LSWC and had zero issues in my Kimber. One figure I've heard thrown around is .930 measured from the bottom of the case to the shoulder of the bullet. Supposedly works with any SWC mold. Measured mine and they come in at .932 to .935.

[stand125]

Try different AOL's and crimp. Some 1911's don't like Wadcutters and you can never get them to feed. In other words, it may just be your gun and you will have to shoot Round nose or Round nose flat point. Don't give up figuring it out, but don't rack your brain if you can't figure it out.

[artichokie]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

So is shorter the way to go with feed problems? I added a bit more crimp and made it slightly longer (1.240). My thinking is that the edge of the case is getting caught somehow. I trying to smoothen out the transition. I could try a batch of some shorter too... maybe 1.230.

[korny351]

Taper crimp is merely to remove the bell on the case after seating the bullet. Be aware the increasing the crimp beyond this point may lead to decreased neck tension and bullet setback.

[Inkman]

1.235 is too short.

Load them to 1.250 OAL with a crimp of .469-.470

If you load them with a light charge, you will need a lighter recoil spring too.

Mags can and do make a big difference in feeding LSWCs. Most factory mags will be inconsistant feeding them as their lips are made to feed RN ammo. I still swear by 47D mags. Others prefer other mags.

Consistant to me is feeding thousands of rds with no jams. OAL of 1.235 will almost guarantee jams.

Al

[bruce381]

what others said asuming crimp and sizeing are correct you are too short i shoot 1.255 no problems at all cast lead about 1000 rounds before cleaning

[cindynles]

I've had similar problems with SWC and CMC mags in my SA Loaded. I switched to my Tripp mags and the problems went away. I run the 200gr SWC at 1.25" with 4.7gr of W231.

[LexLuther]

Ditto

what others said asuming crimp and sizeing are correct you are too short i shoot 1.255 no problems at all cast lead about 1000 rounds before cleaning

This...

Also, post a pic of your loaded rounds