[Gary H]

My West Coast Plated / 3.7gr Titegroup / WLP / COL:1.265 / IMI Match Brass just doesn't group well out of my Valtro. I shot a number of five round groups off a sand bag, indoors and was getting 3" groups at fifteen yards. I was expecting 3/4" groups. I was getting failure to chamber when I would simply release the slide rather than pull the slide back and release. This gave me a chance to examine the bullet. I found that the soft lead/copper was indenting a good bit during feeding. BTW.. new 18.5 pd spring. I want to keep the power factor where it is at, so the only way that I can change the accuracy is to go with a different bullet, powder, or COL. I'm assuming that COL won't make that big of a difference. Any suggestions as to the best next step?

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

The best and most accurate bullets at the best lifetime price is in casting your own bullets with the tools of generations of champions and you can contact me off line about more information.

Fitz

[Poodleshooter]

I'm assuming that COL won't make that big of a difference. Any suggestions as to the best next step?
Oh yes it will! Seating deeper rapidly changes the velocity in my .45ACP. I tend to seat much longer than Hodgdon data, and I get much lower velocities with equivalent bullet weights.
In my Glock 30, I can't even get reliable ejection with loads under 4grs of Titegroup using Star 230gr FMJ's at 1.25 or 1.26".
Failure to chamber probably indicates overlength seating or insufficient crimp of the brass at the case mouth (IOW more than .473" at the mouth). Where is the bullet indenting at?

[larryw]

What PS said. I had recently feeding problems with some 200 SWCs, dropped the COL .010 and the difference in velocity and POI was dramatic.

Suggest you work with the COL and crimp on dummy rounds so it feeds well, then play with the powder charge to get the power you want. Bear in mind that the power factor may not be the sweet spot for accuracy.

[Gary H]

I pay attention to getting rifle bullet COL as long as possible and almost touching rifling, but I never thought that this was of import when loading to keep things accurate at 10 - 30 yds. I'll take a look at it.

[Werewolf]

With a 230gr Jacketed bullet Hodgdon says 4.8 of Titegroup. You're running 3.7.

TG is a low pressure powder too. Combine that with Hodgon's recommended OAL of 1.2 with your OAL of 1.265 and I'm surprised you even get the bullet out of the barrel.

You're loading long = less pressure.
You're loading light = less pressure.
You're loading plated vs FMJ = less pressure.

I really wonder what source of info recommended 3.7 TG and 1.265 OAL for a .45ACP load.

Get a good manual and once you run the recommended loads then experiment because that's what your load sounds like to me experimental.

[Gary H]

Werewolf:

I chrono'd same components but varied the load. I started at 4.0gr at 728ft/sec and chrono'd 4.1gr and ended with 4.2gr at 738fps. My S.D. at 4.0gr was 14fps. over ten shots. I goofed up in my original post. I listed my LRN load. I actually used the 4.0gr to load the copper plated 230gr RN. Thanks for pointing things out.

[Archie]

You might try a quality jacketed bullet instead of a plated bullet.

In the bullseye shooting circles, the Nosler 230 FMJ is reputed to be the cat's pajamas.

[Gary H]

Archie:

I've heard the guys at PPC complain that plated bullets were not to be used due to their poor performance.

[Clark]

I just shot a 20 shot 4" group at 100m with a rifle, 45 Super brass, CCI200 large rifle primers, and 230 gr FMJ Montana Gold bullets moving at 1700 fps. The rifle weighs 17 pounds with the scope, and it was from a benchrest with 40X scope.

What does it all mean?
If you can't hit it with 230 gr Montana Gold FMJ, it is not the bullet that is the problem.

[cliffb]

My Kimber likes the West Coast bullet with about 5gr of AA#2.

[Gary H]

cliffb:

What COL are you using?

[cliffb]

COL is around 1.260.
Light taper crimp using the Lee factory crimp die.
CCI LP primers.

[Gary H]

I've been using 1.262 / Lee Factory .470 / WLP..but Tightgroup. I've got some AA #2.. so I'll give it a try. Have some CCI primers, but they have been a bit of a pain to use.

[Powderman]

I have tried lots of ball bullets, and have achieved good results with the 230 gr mil surp FMJ from Jeff Bartlett (www.gibrass.com) and 4.2 of Clays.

However, one of the best bullseye pistolsmiths in existence (Ed Masaki) swears by the Sierra 230 gr. Tournament Master, #8815, .4515 in diameter, and 4.2 of Clays.

To determine OAL, I always set my seater up with a factory ball round. Crimp to .470, and I heartily recommend Federal Match primers, with Starline brass.