Trouble with .45acp handload

FullMetalJckt · May 22, 2010

I loaded some 45acp and went to the range yesterday.

OAL is set to 1.245
Powder is IMR 700x - 4.5 grains
brass is mix of PPC, R P headstamps
bullets are 230gr TMJ copper plated leads
CCI primers
Crimp was stout - I could see it (I knoe this is bad as of now:banghead

I fired 5 shots with no problem, but the next went off and got stuck in the barrel. So i pushed the bullet out with a rod and continued.

Can a hearty crimp cause this?

I also had a round fire, but the bullet didn't leave the case!?!

Help would be greatly appriciated.
Thanks.

Jumping Frog · May 22, 2010

Do you visually verify the powder level of every round you load?

Sounds like you had two rounds with a primer but no powder.

Jayhawker · May 22, 2010

You've got to wonder if there was powder in those cases. If it was the crimp, you must have really put the kabosh on it. The load is very mild and that with the crimp may have done it but my first vote is no powder.

FullMetalJckt · May 22, 2010

I visually checked every load. I only load 50 at a time.

I mite be crazy but could sweat soil powder. mean if i looked over the cases and sweat fell into a case, could that cause my problem?

Slamfire · May 22, 2010

Can a hearty crimp cause this?

No. Not if a reasonable amount of powder was in the case.

I am unfamiliar with the powder you are using, but if you had a chronograph you would be able to tell if something was wrong due to low velocities.

I also had a round fire, but the bullet didn't leave the case!?!

Me thinks it is likely you made a charging error.

Walkalong · May 22, 2010

Me thinks it is likely you made a charging error.

Most certainly.

4.5 Grs 0f 700X is pretty light, should have gotten the bullet out of the barrel every time. I would go to 4.8, make sure there is powder in every case, and try again.

DIV03 · May 22, 2010

Sure sounds like a primer only load. A Squib.............

FullMetalJckt · May 22, 2010

Okay i'll try a heavier load of 4.8 grs and a lighter crimp. will get back to yall with the results in a few days.

Jayhawker · May 22, 2010

Most folks including myself crimp to .469" or .470" as measured as close to the end of the case as possible. Basically its no crimp at all.

Walkalong · May 22, 2010

Here are a couple of pics of my crimp. Just enough to remove the bell, or a hair more.

ants · May 22, 2010

Moderators: Consider putting together a sticky of Walkalong's excellent photographs illustrating the product of good technique. Not just this thread, but many others over the years. Maybe AC will consider consolidating some past images and adding more as required.

ants · May 22, 2010

FullMetalJckt

Yes, sweat can contaminate powder and cause it to fail. So can oil, grease, water, just about anything wet. Dust, dirt, grit and other contaminants are also bad news.

Given the symptoms you listed, it is more common to have no powder or insufficient powder. But if you know you dropped wet contaminant into the powder, that would likely be your culprit.

redneck2 · May 22, 2010

That is the very starting load. 700x is a slow powder. I'd bump the charge weight a little.

ranger335v · May 22, 2010

No crimp can prevent a bullet from flying. Low or no powder charge.

You would have been sweating like a prostitute in a fire and brimstone evangelical revival meeting for sweat to have caused that and even then the unburned powder would have clogged inside the bore.

Walkalong · May 22, 2010

700x is a slow powder.

700X is a relatively fast powder. Perhaps you were thinking of 800X which is more of a medium speed powder.

Sunray · May 23, 2010

"...sweat fell into a case..." Yep. It's salt water. If you sweat that much, wear a head band.
"...Can a hearty crimp cause this?..." That's a cartridge with no powder. Called a 'squib'. Very bad ju-ju if you don't notice it. Means a new barrel.

dc.fireman · May 23, 2010

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=505460

I third the motion on a missed/light powder charge. I've used 4.0-4.8 gr. of 700x, my current load being 4.5. I use just the slightest crimp on the case mouth, but load to 1.265" as opposed to 1.245".

ArchAngelCD · May 23, 2010

Not much left to do here except wait for the next range report, good luck...

FullMetalJckt · May 23, 2010

well went to the range after loading 30 more rounds. I visually inspected each round to make sure there was sufficient powder.

out of 30 I had 2 get stuck in the barrel and one go off but the round didn't leave the case.

Maybe my powder is contaminated.

I shall pick up some new powder tomarrow mourn. Do ya'll have any powder preferences and reasons.

Thanks,
FMJ

Walkalong · May 23, 2010

Hard to beat W-231 in .45 for an overall good powder, but Clays, AA #2, N310, N320, Competition, & WST are other good fast powders. AA #5, WSF, Unique, Universal Clays and N340 are good medium speed powders for .45.

Many powders will work just fine in .45 ACP.

MifflinKid · May 23, 2010

Try pulling the bullet on the round that did not fire.

Is there powder in it?

ArchAngelCD · May 23, 2010

Wow, something is very wrong if you are getting round that aren't firing. I agree you should try a fresh can of powder. (are your primers OK??)

Do ya'll have any powder preferences and reasons.

Thanks,
FMJ

I'll add my voice to W231 (HP-38), it's my favorite .45 Auto powder.
I've also used AA#5 in the .45 Auto with good success. (it was specifically designed for the .45 Auto)

FullMetalJckt · May 24, 2010

i Just got the primers a few weeks ago. I store them inside where its cool and dry. Futhermore, I never touch them as i use an auto prime. However, Its very possible they where incorrectly stored by the gun shop i bought 'em from.

Thoughts?

FullMetalJckt · May 24, 2010

Try pulling the bullet on the round that did not fire.

Is there powder in it?

I pulled the bullet. No powder and the primer definantly ignited.

arizona_cards_11 · May 24, 2010

FullMetalJckt said:
I pulled the bullet. No powder and the primer definantly ignited.

Don't worry, happens to the best of us from time to time.

Trouble with .45acp handload

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Moderator

Member

Member

Member

Moderator

Member

Member

Member

Member

Moderator

Member

Member

Member.

Member

Moderator

Member

Member.

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads