Loading .45ACP questions

[STI]

I started loading .45 for the first time today on my XL650. I set the flare to about .010" but I noticed it was a bit difficult to keep the bullet sitting straight up on the case. So I flared it to .015" which is about as far as I like to go, but it was still difficult to keep the bullet upright. I am using RMR 230gn. bullets, but I also have some X-treme 230gn. and I experienced the same with them. Is this normal with .45? Will I experience a decrease in accuracy if the bullets are a little crooked while entering the seating die?
Also my Hornady handbook calls for a 1.210" C.O.L. but that seems way to short, I measured some factory Federal .45 I have and it measured 1.265". I ended up seating to 1.240 which looks good and drops free into two barrels I have. What do you guys set your 230gn bullets to?

[Bill Steele]

I load most 230gr bullets to 1.265". The load spec is the minimum length, anything that will fit in your magazine and chamber properly that is longer is GTG.

I have never measured the flare, so I can't help you with a measurement. I don't flare a great deal, but usually enough to keep the bullet sitting cleanly on the mouth of the case, square.

To know if the canted bullets is an issue, take a look at a finished round. If any bulging present is consistent all the way around, you are OK. The only problem is if the bullet bulges the case on only one side, indicating it isn't seating down square.

[STI]

Before today I have only reloaded 9mm, and I flared the case just a little and the bullets would sit fine. With the .45 I'm flaring more than I would like and they still don't seat square. It's annoying because it was taking me a long time to load since I had to keep messing with the bullet to keep it square.
After inspecting loaded rounds where the bullet wasn't completely square they look fine and drop free into the barrels.

[mark501w]

Flair enough to keep from shaving your bullet,so you don't over work your brass . If you think you have the length check mag. fit & check to see if the completed cartridge will extract out of your gun without interference.

[bruce381]

just messured the flare on my 45 acp on a 650 is .478-.480 taper crimp to
.472 OAL 1.270 or so.

use minimium flear to jsut get started without any lead/jacket smearing this will prolong case life

[J-cat]

You are flaring too much. Flare only enough so the bullet don't shave while being seated. If the bullet won't stay upright, use your fingers to guide it.

[Low Light]

On my Lee single stage it's not necessary for the bullet to be squared up to be seated properly - I can't imagine it would be any different on a 650. I usually only flair just enough for the bullet to get started - basically the difference between the bullet sitting on top of the case mouth and sitting just inside the case mouth.

I found this on another site. It helped me visualize headspacing a bit better:



OAL, for me, is 1.260" or where it sits properly in the chamber and cycles normally; YMMV though.

[STI]

On my Lee single stage it's not necessary for the bullet to be squared up to be seated properly - I can't imagine it would be any different on a 650. I usually only flair just enough for the bullet to get started - basically the difference between the bullet sitting on top of the case mouth and sitting just inside the case mouth.

I found this on another site. It helped me visualize headspacing a bit better:



OAL, for me, is 1.260" or where it sits properly in the chamber and cycles normally; YMMV though.

I'm thinking it doesn't matter on my XL650 either because they seem to be seating just fine even though they aren't squared up. But even if it doesn't matter I think it's just bugging me mentally haha!

Seems like 1.260 is pretty common, but I have a 1911 that has occasional FTF with factory 230gn set at 1.265 so I want to try a shorter C.O.L. to see if that helps.

[stilly]

I load mine to 1.249-1.255 typically, but as long as it hits in there I am happy and it works.

[spectro2003]

just messured the flare on my 45 acp on a 650 is .478-.480 taper crimp to
.472 OAL 1.270 or so.

use minimium flear to jsut get started without any lead/jacket smearing this will prolong case life

Is that flare for .452 dia. bullets? i flare it at .475 - .476 for .451 and it sits about 1/16th in which holds the bullets perfectly.

[Sennasixty8]

I have also used/use RMR 230g's, and load to 1.245-ish, .471 crimp. My flare starts at .473/.473'5 most consistently.

No issues on either pistols: a SA TRP or NHC 1911 (both somewhat custom/finicky on occasion even with factory ammo).

[bruce381]

Is that flare for .452 dia. bullets? i flare it at .475 - .476 for .451 and it sits about 1/16th in which holds the bullets perfectly.

Yes for .452 cast boolits

[bruce381]

Oh and my boolits are all Flat base the tapered base con go smaller.

[STI]

OK another question. I have an XL650 with carbide dies, running brass through the sizing die is smooth, but after the down stroke of the powder drop/flaring it is sometimes really difficult on the up stroke to separate the brass from the flaring die. I'm thinking about using lube. If I spray lube (I have Lyman's) on the brass, let it dry and run it through will the lube ruin my reloads? Will it be dangerous to shoot if lube is still on the finished cartridge?

[mindwreck]

no. there is no problem with having lube on the finished round. of course we're talking the tiny amount used in sizing. putting way too much will increase case pressures