Help on .45 ACP reloading

[dickttx]

Have several new things going and hit a bump.
1. Recently got a new Colt Rail Gun. Have put 300 rounds of commercial white box type 230 ball thru it. I wanted to try some reloads.
2. Over the past couple of months I have accumulated a Lee Classic Turret and all the accutriments. I used these for the first time to load 12 rounds using MBC 200gr RNFP and Lee's manual, for 5.1 gr Unique. I started with the recommended disk of .53. After throwing several trial loads I weighed the charge and was only getting about 4gr. I kept trying different disks of progressively larger size until I came to .71. This was a considerably larger hole than the .53, but I weighed 10 consequetive throws and got 5.2 on ALL of them. With this disk I began loading the 12 rounds, single stage, while adjusting all the dies. I weighed the 1st, 5th, 10th and 12th charges and all were 5.2gr.
I took these out and shot them and all functioned perfectly, and with approximately the same POI as the 230 gr ball.
3. With the success of the 12 rounds under my belt, I went back in and loaded the rest of the 100 rounds of RP brass I had. Everything went nicely and after about 25 total rounds I inserted the indexing rod and started using as a turret, still weighing every tenth round. After about 80 total rounds I started noticing a little higher powder level in the case. I started weighing again and was now getting about 5.3gr. I finished those 100 rounds and continued getting 5.3.
After supper, I went back out to load another 100 rounds, this time it was WW cases. I was still getting 5.3gr, however, as I progressed on that 100 rounds I could again see a little more powder in the case. By the time I finished those I was getting about 5.9 gr. When I went back to the house I checked my Lee guide and it showed that particular loading to be a very narrow range, I believe, 5.1 to 5.3. Checked my other manuals and on line and kept coming up with about 5.5 of Unique for the 200gr lead. Finally found my Lyman book and it had a maximum for that load of 6gr.

My first question is, does anyone have any experience with a 5.5 to 6.0 grain load of Unique with the 200gr LRNFP?

My second question is, is it normal for the Lee disks to be off that much (53 to 71)?

My third question is, why was I getting the creep in weight. -- Two thoughts on this, toward the end of the second 100 I was running low on powder. The powder measure was less than half full when I finished. Also, the WW cases were apparently thicker than the RP. I got a definate dragging on the taper crimp die, both going in and coming out.

Appreciate any thoughts and help anyone could give me.

 

[nosmr2]

My Lee disk is off by 2 on each weight of Unique. For example my book states use hole 2 for 5 grains but it actually takes hole 4 for 5 grains. I don't have the exact disc settings right now but you see what I mean.
I was getting some creep a while back and I discovered the brass nuts holding the auto disc powder had come loose and it was tilting up with every stroke.

 

[Nevmavrick]

A measure is different between two reloaders because they are a little different in the vibrations that each inputs the machine, and the mounting that holds each machine. The powder that is used could give variation, too. There are a lot of people that won't use Unique because of that tendency.
I'm not one of them, as I like Unique, and ALWAYS have some on my shelf.
I use it in my .45, but I do use an RCBS measure, FWIW
The creep would cause me to check for loose screws, too.
Have fun,
Gene

 

[rkammer]

I shoot a lot of Unique out of my .45s and have loaded in the range you asked about. I mistly use a 200 gr LSWC which should load similar to your LRNFP. In my experience 5.3 gr is a good target load out of a 4 3/4 or 5" barrel while 6.0 gr is getting a little on the hot side. I wouldn't go any higher than 6.0 without chronographing for velocity.

 

[dickttx]

Thanks for the feedback.
I should have thought of the brass nuts. When I first got the measure and was using the press as a single stage I left them a little loose and got leakage. Snugged them up and no more leakage.
I have been trying to decide whether to pull the bullets and reload the second hundred. I will probably try a few firs.
Again, appreciate it.

 

[243winxb]

My third question is, why was I getting the creep in weight.

Check Lee's link below for more help.

Auto Disk consistency

Make sure that when measuring charges thrown by the Auto Disk measure, that it is done out of the normal loading sequence. It is important that the measure work consistently in the amount of force used to move the disk to the drop hole and return. This is accomplished through consistent press lever operation every time.

It is very also very important to ensure that the Auto Disk measure is seated securely into the Powder Through Expanding Die which must also be properly adjusted. This information can be found on this FAQ under "Dies and Die Questions" and then "Powder Through Expander Adjustment". If you are using a chain return system, it must be adjusted properly. This ensures that the disk moves the same amount each and every time the lever is operated. Proper adjustment of the bead chain can be found on this FAQ under "Powder Handling" and "Auto Disk Chain Attachment".

You may want to "condition" the measure by either using powdered graphite on the disks or running the equivalent of a pound of powder through the measure. If you find that inconsistencies still exist, you may want to wash the disks in warm soapy water, rinse and let air dry. This should help eliminate any static that may have been present.

Lastly some powders do not meter well, Unique powder is one example that meters with "casual uniformity". You may find the same symptom with small flake powder in small quantities. http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/faq/index.cgi

 

[Jim Watson]

Most likely when you started auto indexing the vibration settled the powder in the measure and caused it to drop greater weight for the cavity volume.

5.7 gr of Unique for a 200 gr .45 ACP is a mild load.

 

[LiveLife]

Most likely when you started auto indexing the vibration settled the powder in the measure and caused it to drop greater weight for the cavity volume.

Good point Jim.

Yeah, I finally got talked into trying Unique, but was cautioned about poor metering. During my recent initial testing with Pro Auto Disk, after filling the hopper it took 20+ cycles before charges stopped drifting and started dropping consistently. Once the powder settled, it dropped fairly consistent charges and the low initial charges produced very promising shot groups.

I look forward to future range tests with higher charges.