What am I missing

[FresnoCNC]

Hello all, I will first off say that I am a reloading noob. I'm trying to set up my lee loadmaster and I will be reloading 45 acp. I currently have it set up like this

My issue is this. W

[FresnoCNC]

Over all length is a little long and the bullets are peeling like shown in photo

[FresnoCNC]

[Colt562]

The reason the bullets are doing that is because there is not enough flare or the bullet is going in sideways.

[FresnoCNC]

The reason the bullets are doing that is because there is not enough flare or the bullet is going in sideways.

Thank you for your quick response. Look at the photos above you're post. If the case is .445 and the bullet is .452 how do I adjust the flare?

[Colt562]

Thank you for your quick response. Look at the photos above you're post. If the case is .445 and the bullet is .452 how do I adjust the flare?

Im not sure how the loadmaster works. I think the die that the powder measure sits on also expands the case. It should say in your manual. When you bought the press, did it come with those dies? How many did it come with?

[FresnoCNC]

3 dies. The instructions say nothing about the flare

[shooterbill]

There should be a flaring die in the set. Screw the adjuster down until you get the flare you need.

[FresnoCNC]

Now I have the flare set right. It was in the powder die. Is it critical when it comes to over all length. It calls for 1.275. I'm getting 1.274-1.276

[Colt562]

Now I have the flare set right. It was in the powder die. Is it critical when it comes to over all length. It calls for 1.275. I'm getting 1.274-1.276

Yes it is critical but you are geting such a small variance thats its probably due to the way its getting measured. Dont worry about it. Any more questions feel free to pm me.

[Lead Waster]

Now I have the flare set right. It was in the powder die. Is it critical when it comes to over all length. It calls for 1.275. I'm getting 1.274-1.276

That seems pretty good actually. Progressive presses are like that, the other dies and cases affect the seating die and ram so you'll get variations. That's not a bad variation. I try and load my 9mm to 1.135, and I get +- .05 which is worse than what you're getting!

Max OAL for .45 is 1.275 I believe. When I load .45, I try for around 1.260 because I use Chip McCormick 10 round magazines and the packaging said "for best feeding, use an OAL of at least 1.260. But I've seen published load data as low as 1.200

So MAYBE you want to load a skooch shorter? (or not)

[bumpo628]

Yeah, 1.275 is the max. Ammo that long may bind up in some magazines.
You could load up some dummies and try cycling them in your gun to see if they feed right.

I set mine between 1.260 and 1.265.

[FresnoCNC]

If max is 1.275 I'll shorten them some. Haven't touched the press again because I'm house sitting. Hopefully I'll get some done tomorrow.

[Bill Steele]

What load are you using that calls for an OAL of 1.275"?

Most loads use an OAL of something shorter than the max OAL for the cartridge spec.

The OAL that is specificed in the load data is the minimum OAL you should use for that bullet type. It is there to assure you don't go over pressure by seating too deep (less of an issue with .45 ACP due to its generous case volume than say 9mm Luger).

Most people use a load with a minimum OAL that is shorter than they actually load. For .45ACP, as others have noted 1.260-1.265" for a 200-230gr bullet should get the job done nicely.

[FresnoCNC]

What load are you using that calls for an OAL of 1.275"?

Most loads use an OAL of something shorter than the max OAL for the cartridge spec.

The OAL that is specificed in the load data is the minimum OAL you should use for that bullet type. It is there to assure you don't go over pressure by seating too deep (less of an issue with .45 ACP due to its generous case volume than say 9mm Luger).

Most people use a load with a minimum OAL that is shorter than they actually load. For .45ACP, as others have noted 1.260-1.265" for a 200-230gr bullet should get the job done nicely.

In the Lyman's reloading book it said for an oal of 1.275 if I remember correctly.

Forgive me if I am wrong. But what your saying is, people look at the load data and go shorter than what is actually needed?