[cavman]

Just starting out reloading .45 ACP with 185gr cast bullets bought from National Bullet Co. and using WST powder with large pistol Federal primers on a Dillon 650 with a Redding Competition Seating die in lieu of the Dillon one, along with the regular de-capping/sizing, powder and crimp dies. The pistol is a RRA Bullseye. I will be shooting Bullseye.

I have chosen the amount of exposed shoulder of bullet to be just a smidge above brass. I am weighing in the amount of my WST to see how it flies in the range of 3.7gr to 4.4gr, to be tried tomorrow.

My question is this: Once I find a charge that has the best groups, if I should try and find out shoulder height influence, to see if the group size can be improved upon, would I be going back to square one again in terms of needing to find the correct powder charge again.

I ask because a couple of the experienced shooters I know use the "not much shoulder", and the stuff that I bought for 185 LSWC has a lot of shoulder exposed.

Thanks
cavman

[Sunray]

I don't use 185's, but you may run into feeding issues with the shoulder sticking out. It'll confuse the taper crimp die too. 4.5 grains of Bullseye with a cast 230 RN or FP shoots well out of my Colt.

[Canuck-IL]

You shouldn't have any feeding issues with the shoulder out about the traditional "1 thumbnail height." WST will probably end you up between 3.8 and 4.2...a general consensus. With the short bearing surface of a 185, I don't think you can readily get too much shoulder exposed.
/B

[cavman]

thanks. appreciate it.

cavman

[243winxb]

For bullseye accuracy @ 50 yds., i find that the end play of the loaded round in the chamber should be kept to a minimum. Depending on how your barrel is chambered, this may not work for you. The cast lead bullet should just take the rifling a small amount. Some would call it loading into the lands. I cast the Lyman 200gr BB swc. When using scrap metals to cast, the bullet will have a different length between the tip and the shoulder of the bullet , each batch. The shoulder is what takes the rifling. When setting up my bullet seating dies, i measure the length of the loaded round from the head to the shoulder of the bullet that takes the rifling, NOT the tip of the bullet. If this is done right, it gives you no end play of the loaded round in the chamber. 3.8gr of Bullesye powder, WLP, Starline Brass, taper crimp. 3" groups @50yards if you weight each cast bullet to make match grade ammo. Mixed brass/brands kills accuracy.

[Jim Watson]

Agree with 243.

Seat a SWC with enough shoulder showing that when dropped into the chamber, the case head is flush with the barrel hood. That means the round is under headspace control by the bearing surface of the bullet against the origin of the rifling. Guaranteed alignment. Hope for the best on feeding, adjust if necessary.
I guess you might find a gun that would shoot more accurately with a jump to the rifling, but the above has been pretty standard for a long time.