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Posted: 6/21/2010 6:09:29 AM EDT
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I just loaded up my first 2 rounds of 45 ACP and I wanted to verify a couple things before loading up a whole batch.
My load is Hornady 200gr FMJ-C/T bullets with 4.7gr WST behind it. Wolf LP primers, WIN brass. 1) I have a Redding Crimp die, and was wondering if I should use it? I never crimp my 223 rounds. Will the case tension be enough? I just don't want to cause too much pressure. 2) I loaded my first two rounds and they fit just a tad below the top like the second image. Maybe a fraction of an inch lower, is that ok? They're seated to 1.260. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/steve4102/45seatingpossibilitiesx.jpg ^^steve4102's image 3) When I loaded the first two rounds into a magazine to try and cycle them, they cycle just fine. But when I cycle the slide to eject the loaded round, it gets caught. I believe it's called a 3-point jam, but I'm honestly not sure. Is this normal because the round is still loaded? Thanks in advance! |
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Go to this thread And IM 1911smith |
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Quoted:
I just loaded up my first 2 rounds of 45 ACP and I wanted to verify a couple things before loading up a whole batch. My load is Hornady 200gr FMJ-C/T bullets with 4.7gr WST behind it. Wolf LP primers, WIN brass. 1) I have a Redding Crimp die, and was wondering if I should use it? I never crimp my 223 rounds. Will the case tension be enough? I just don't want to cause too much pressure. 2) I loaded my first two rounds and they fit just a tad below the top like the second image. Maybe a fraction of an inch lower, is that ok? They're seated to 1.260. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/steve4102/45seatingpossibilitiesx.jpg ^^steve4102's image 3) When I loaded the first two rounds into a magazine to try and cycle them, they cycle just fine. But when I cycle the slide to eject the loaded round, it gets caught. I believe it's called a 3-point jam, but I'm honestly not sure. Is this normal because the round is still loaded? Thanks in advance! Sir, I can't see the images you have posted due to security issues with my work server, but I will try to answer the questions that I can see. I always make it a point to taper crimp all semi auto handgun cartridges. I assume the Redding crimp die you mention is a taper crimp die. I don't know if Redding makes a roll crimp for .45ACP but if the die you have is a roll crimp I would not use it. Secondly I don't know the difference in diameters you have between bullet OD and case ID but if the difference is greater than .003" you'll probably have sufficient neck tension to hold the bullet in place but regardless I would taper crimp anyway. Consider that the circumference of the .45 ACP bullet is a lot greater than a .223". When I used a .45ACP in competition I would normally cycle all rounds through the action with the firing pin removed from the slide. This provided me the most assurance possible the ammo would function reliably in my pistol. If the cartridge fails to eject when the slide is manually cycles because the bullet catches or doesn't clear the ejection port try seating the bullet a bit deeper into the shell without compressing the powder. As long at the loaded cartridge feeds into the magazine and up the feed ramp into the chamber the ammo should function reliably in your pistol, when you pull the trigger instead of manually cycling the pistol. 7zero1 out. |
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Quoted:
I just loaded up my first 2 rounds of 45 ACP and I wanted to verify a couple things before loading up a whole batch. My load is Hornady 200gr FMJ-C/T bullets with 4.7gr WST behind it. Wolf LP primers, WIN brass. 1) I have a Redding Crimp die, and was wondering if I should use it? I never crimp my 223 rounds. Will the case tension be enough? I just don't want to cause too much pressure. 2) I loaded my first two rounds and they fit just a tad below the top like the second image. Maybe a fraction of an inch lower, is that ok? They're seated to 1.260. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/steve4102/45seatingpossibilitiesx.jpg ^^steve4102's image 3) When I loaded the first two rounds into a magazine to try and cycle them, they cycle just fine. But when I cycle the slide to eject the loaded round, it gets caught. I believe it's called a 3-point jam, but I'm honestly not sure. Is this normal because the round is still loaded? Thanks in advance! 1) Yes you should use it whether belling case mouths or not. Depending on type of bullet.. without some type of crimp your round may not feed. Pressure and how fast your powder burns are valid concerns. 2) Your using a truncated cone bullet (swc) optimum seating height for your particular bullet is between 1.240 and 1.245. For feed and pressure concerns. Golden rule in reloading. Your round must feed flawlessly. 3) Reason your round is hanging is simple. Your seated too high. Ball ammo needs to be @ 1.260. Hollow points depending on ogive height should be seated somewhere between 1.20 to 1.245. Example; Ranier 200 gr hp 1.240 to 1.245. Nosler hp 1.210. Long truncated swc 1.240 to 1.245, short truncated swc 1.20 to 1.230. How do you know for sure what bullet needs what height ? You gotta buy the books. Your loading Hornady so it's Hornady's load manual you should be working from. The heights I've given shouldn't be taken for granted they're correct. I might have given a typo or forgotten my prescription medication and be off on my numbers... You know... Mr. Internet Guy. Those are numbers to use as references to the books you should already own. I fuss and fuss at my son because he won't buy a book. " Why should I ? I've got you on my speed dial." His methodology may fail him someday. Two books you should buy in my opinion. Lee's Modern Reloading and the bullet companies who's bullet your loading. In this case. Hornady. I didn't catch your powder load and it's not important to anyone but you. Since your playing with seating height start your charge below mid-range. I'm a pretty good guesser on what works and what doesn't when loading 45acp in regard to seating height and powder charge. I start mid range usually and work my way up to accuracy. Recently purchased chrono and was surprised that my 850fps round was actually moving at 950fps. Back to your crimp question. I bell my case mouth to .473 to seat and crimp loaded case mouth to .471. Using the bullet your using factory crimp die isn't really necessary but a slight taper is to reduce diameter at case mouth. Otherwise your round might not feed and then you will have 3 point bind. |
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Yes, crimping the 45 ACP is a good idea, IMO a must.
That said the taper crimp for a straight walled case like the 45 ACP is NOT to help secure the bullet. It's purpose is only to remove the flair applied during the expanding process. Failure to remove the flair can cause cycling issues. Too much crimp can actually reduce neck tension and cause headspace issues. |
| One thing I do when first starting a new batch (1k) of pistol rounds is to seat the bullet in the first few cases with no primer, no powder. I disassemble my pistol and try dropping the new rounds into the barrel/chamber. If they stick or seems tight, I've got a problem. If they pass this test, I reassemble the gun and try cycling them. They should cycle with no issues. If they pass this test, I start loading them up. Better to take the time to test than to get a loaded round stuck. |
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