[Ascot500]

After loading a box of .45 ACP, I found that about 1/3 would not chamber.
The brass is all the same headstamp: WCC - MATCH - 89
I had just bought a box of 500 of the bullets - 200 gr cast RNFP
I then looked at the box and saw that the diameter is .452 not .451

Are these actually intended for .45 Colt?

Anything I can do to use up the box without having the chambering problems?

[Black Snowman]

Slightly oversized lead rounds are not uncommon in lead bullets and can actually be more accurate. Sounds like the slight over-size has made some of the cases a little too large in diameter.

If this is the problem, the least amount of work to get the brass sized correctly to fit the chamber would be to invest in a Lee Factory Carbide Crimp Die. Run them all through and it will get the case dementions right back to where they should be and shouldn't deform the bullets to any signifigant degree.

Another option would be to pull all the bullets, swag them, and then reload them. I like option 1 better ;)

Ironicly a new poster just asked what people thought of the Lee Factory Crimp Dies and if they used them :)

[Ascot500]

Thanks for the reply.

I think I will get a Lee FCD.

[Larry Ashcraft]

Cast bullets are normally .452
Jacketed bullets are normally .451
Precision Bullets (moly coated) are .4515

Must be the crimp.

[C.R.Sam]

In addition to the above.

If the brass has been fired once, or more, check the rim area for burrs.
Some extractors put a bit of a burr on the cases, causing problems later.

Sometimes.

Sam

[bogie]

Of course, if you set your OAL by the manual, they may actually be too long.

[Jeeper]

Can you tell what is causing them not to chamber. When you have this happen pull the cartridge out and look for areas that are rubbing. ie can you see lead missing where it is hitting. Is the base of the brass too big? One could be a resize problem, one could be wrong OAL. Crimp is not really crimp..it should only be used to return the case to the pre-flare dimension. Everyone uses crimp like it should hold the bullet in for pistols. THe neck tesion should hold the bullet

[Smoke Rizen]

I would look at the crimp as the problem. If the case is distorted at all after seating the cast bullet,back the die out 1/4 turn at a time and you should loose the distortion. If that doesn't get it I'd call the die Manufacturer for suggestions...S.R.

[Ascot500]

OK - after looking at good vs bad loads side by side I can see that in the bad loads, the bullet is slightly tipped. This results in a bulge on one side that seems to cause the case to wedge in the chamber.

I also had some of the same batch of cases loaded with a different cast bullet that had not caused problems before. A few of those also have tipped bullets.

This would indicate the case is the common denominator.

The cases are once fired range pick-ups. (BTW- I have been loading .45 for about ten years now) One thing I did not do was chamfer the case mouths?

Anyone had any similar experience with WCC (Western?) match cases?

[Freightman]

I had some of that brass and it was hard to get to chamber in one of my 45's so I do not use it any more. Get you a Lee FCD they are great.

[Ascot500]

Freightman,

Thanks for the reply.

I only have a couple hundred of those cases.

At least they were free.

[cordex]

The WCC match that I've tried (I think it was from the 70's) worked wonderfully in my guns.

[Smoke Rizen]

The bullet being tipped may be caused by the type seat used. Some flat head types may not do well with a round point,or rounded (concave)type with flat points(oxymoron).You can have the die Manuf. fit the seat to the bullet but may not be worth it if You don't load that point forever. I'd still call or E-mail the Die Manufacturer for their suggestions. R.S.