Wilburt
Member
I’ve been loading .45 ACP for a couple of years now with pretty good success. I recently bought a Wilson Max Cartridge case gage in .45 ACP. I did so because I bought a Nighthawk T3 (4.25" 1911) with an overly tight chamber. Before that, I always loaded .45 ACP for my other 1911’s with little problems.
My loads generally consist of 200 gr LSWC (Missouri IDP #1) and 200 gr Berry’s HP. When I bought the T3, I started having several FTF’s. I tried several magazines. I even tried loading some 230 gr Rainer RN’s. I couldn’t get those to reliably feed. They did feed well in my other 1911’s though.
Store bought “ball” ammo didn’t have problems though. When I started to use the case gage, I found that about 50% of my ammo didn’t drop flush in the gage. It would be barely above flush or so. If I forced the round into the gage flush and then pull it back out, it usually drops flush on the second or third time.
Crimp? I seen several threads on this and feel I have a good handle on it. I crimp to about .470 (Just enough to take the bell out. More has resulted in a slightly mashed bullet.)
Sample load:
Mixed Brass
Win WLP Primer
5.0 grs WST
OAL 1.250
Crimp .470
I have a few questions:
1. How do I change my loading practices to make sure the ammo is flush?
2. Is pushing the round (forcing) into the case gage, pulling it out, and dropping it back in bad?
3. I know some may suggest crimp but .470 is just taking the bell out?
4. Anything else to help me tighten my loading procedures.
My loads generally consist of 200 gr LSWC (Missouri IDP #1) and 200 gr Berry’s HP. When I bought the T3, I started having several FTF’s. I tried several magazines. I even tried loading some 230 gr Rainer RN’s. I couldn’t get those to reliably feed. They did feed well in my other 1911’s though.
Store bought “ball” ammo didn’t have problems though. When I started to use the case gage, I found that about 50% of my ammo didn’t drop flush in the gage. It would be barely above flush or so. If I forced the round into the gage flush and then pull it back out, it usually drops flush on the second or third time.
Crimp? I seen several threads on this and feel I have a good handle on it. I crimp to about .470 (Just enough to take the bell out. More has resulted in a slightly mashed bullet.)
Sample load:
Mixed Brass
Win WLP Primer
5.0 grs WST
OAL 1.250
Crimp .470
I have a few questions:
1. How do I change my loading practices to make sure the ammo is flush?
2. Is pushing the round (forcing) into the case gage, pulling it out, and dropping it back in bad?
3. I know some may suggest crimp but .470 is just taking the bell out?
4. Anything else to help me tighten my loading procedures.