45 acp reloading

So, I ordered and received my first time purchase of Missouri Bullet Company 230 grain 45 ACP bullets-LRN. I was slightly disappointed with the color. The color I received was not the color depicted (dark silver was pictured, and I received bronze color coated bullets). Oh well.

I normally order Brazos Precision coated lead bullets (Gold color coated bullets, not my favorite), but overall MBC bullets and the coating was overall really good. Unfortunately I did not realize that Brazos Bullets in 45 acp are about $15.00 cheaper than MBC bullets, so I think I'll stick with Brazos in the future. I set up my press and started reloading. I've never had the issue pictured below with Brazos Precision bullets, so I thought I'd post it here.

After seating the bullets a small shaving came off the bullets. It didn't occur in every bullet, but it was enough for me to notice. I figured maybe I wasn't expanding the case enough, so I expanded the case a bit more. There was less shavings, but it still occurred from time to time.









Is the issue that the case isn't expanding enough? Or is there another setting in the press that is not correct?


Overall the bullets reloaded well and are very similar to Brazos precision bullets, I just wish the color was as depicted when I was making the purchase.


TIA

Yes. I do have a seperate lee taper crimp die though. Is the issue due to seating and crimping in the same die

entropy said:

as joneb said, you've sure got those seated deep.

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I was using the speer guide originally which calls for 5.6 gr of cfe pistol with a COL of 1.240.

joneb said:

I seat and crimp most of my handgun rounds in separate steps, it eliminates a whole bunch of head aches.
Your COL seems short?

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I was originally using SPEER load info that calls for 5.6gr of CFE pistol seated at 1.240. While looking at Hogdon's reloading 2019 magazine I noticed that the same bullet called for 5.4gr of CFE pistol and seating at 1.200. I tried the new recipe a few months back and it worked pretty well, plus it saves .2gr of powder per bullet. That of course was using Brazos precision bullets, but both have the same weight and dimensions.

ArchAngelCD said:

In all the complaining I heard about color not a word about accuracy.

The bullet does seem to be seated deep. I usually seat a LRN 45 ACP bullets between 1.255" and 1 .265" .

The shaving looks like it's being caused by the crimp being applied before the bullet is seated.

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I guess you focused on my initial comments on color, Accuracy wasn't mentioned as I have not had the opportunity to fire these rounds, but I have fired the Gold Brazos precision bullets that have the same dimensions and weight. Those have been accurate on all my 45's, plus when reloading using those bullets, it didn't result in bullet shavings.

As I replied to Joneb regarding seating: I was originally using SPEER load info that calls for 5.6gr of CFE pistol seated at 1.240. While looking at Hogdon's reloading 2019 magazine I noticed that the same bullet called for 5.4gr of CFE pistol and seating at 1.200. I tried the new recipe a few months back and it worked pretty well, plus it saves .2gr of powder per bullet. That of course was using Brazos precision bullets, but both have the same weight and dimensions. I could go back to 1.240 with 5.6 grains of CFE or utilize Hornady figures which have the recipe at 5.6 grains but a COL of 1.260.

I utilize the Hornady custom grade dies that have the seat and crimp on the same die. Since the bullet seats first then crimps, and it's on the same die, I don't understand how the bullet is being crimped before it is seated.

Do you mean that the bullet is being crimped before it fully seats? thereby creating friction as it is still pushing down on the bullet which in turn shaves the bullet resulting in a ring? If so, I can back out the crimp setting all the way on the Hornady die and add the Lee taper crimp die back in to the mix. I tried the Lee taper crimp die when I first started, but it may be that the hornady seat die is still performing some crimp.

Some folks have reported not crimping semi auto ammo at all with no ill effects. I prefer to crimp lightly, but knowing when a bullet has received a taper crimp is more difficult than when performing a roll crimp.

TIA

Ruger 15151 said:

From the picture, I am seeing a very deeply seated bullet and a pretty heavy crimp.

If you didn't reset your dies with the new bullet, do so. Different brands of bullets have different dimensions and bullet profiles and often require a different die setup.

Are those shavings hard like brass or soft like the coating of the bullet?

If they are soft, then pull a bullet and see if you are shaving the coating while the bullet is seating. This can be caused by not flaring the case enough or by a die that is crimping the case before the bullet is fully seated.

If the shavings are brass, they are likely caused by the crimping portion of your seating die cutting the mouth of the case as a result of a very heavy crimp. The reason your are not seeing shavings with every bullet is because, unless you are trimming your cases, they are different lengths. If you set a fairly heavy crimp on shorter cases, then the longer ones will get even more of a crimp and create a shaving.

What is the measurement of your crimp? Most will crimp 45ACP lead bullets to .468 ( some bullseye shooters will crimp to .463 - .465 to hold the bullet longer for light loads). However, your crimp looks very heavy. I would double check that measurement.

Next, I would double check your COL. As ArchAngelCD mentioned, it looks like your bullet is seated very deep.

BTW- It is good practice to chamfer the inside of the case mouth before seating the bullet as well to remove any burrs.

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Ruger15151 & ArchAngelCD

THX. The shavings are soft and come from the bullet. I was thinking flare as well, but good practice has been mentioned to flare the case up to the point where the bullet starts to go in. But not too much. I adjusted the expander die a bit.

I measured the crimp to be .467-.470

Most everyone has stated that the bullet looks seated deep. I'll bring it up to 1.240 and add the .2 gr of CFE pistol powder. I was being greedy and trying to save .2 grains per bullet, plus it fired well. But, I cannot argue as I myself though it was a bit short when I first loaded it. Didn't think nothing of it after testing the round and it fired well in all my firearms. Accuracy was also good. The original load that called for 5.6gr of CFE pistol at 1.240 COL worked well, I was just being greedy.

If anyone goes with the Hornaday 2019 load data, be advised, that the COL calls for 1.200 when using 230gr LRN bullets. I didn't have any issues with function and performance, but as indicated, it will look short.

Thanks on the chamfer recommendation. I didn't think of it as being an issue since it has never occurred before. I'll keep in mind when working with bullet brands I've never utilized before.

BTW Brazos Precision has moved to NLG 45acp bullets. I was looking at making a purchase on their site, and it looks like they removed the 230gr LG bullets in faver on NLG.

I'm going to go to seating and crimping in seperate dies.

I thought about it before, but decided against it. I thought maybe I'd get the hang of it. It's proving to be more difficult than just keeping the processes seperate. Thx.