.45 acp oal?

The OAL listed on the Hodgdon site only tells you what OAL they used in developing the load data. If an OAL of 1.265" shoots well in your pistol that's what you should use. Of course the pressures will be less than what's reported on the Hodgdon site but that's not dangerous when starting in the middle of the load range. I would stick with the OAL that works well in your 1911 and adjust the powder charge if necessary.

What ArchAngelCD said ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

I know this is terribly off topic, but its not worthy of a thread..so at least AACD nailed OPs answer in the first reply...



Deleted. To far off topic.

judgedelta said:

Just for information, on the Hodgden site the OAL for the jacketed RNFP was 1.20 and for the cast RN was 1.20??? It would appear that the flat point would be further out of the case. The 1.265 chambers fine and I'll load from there from now on. This was my first trip with Auto Comp, I thought there might something special with the OAL.

I've got 50 loaded. I'll shoot a couple and check the primers for pressure and go from there.

Thanks...

Click to expand...

There is nothing special with the crimp with any powder unless you are using a "magnum class" powder in a revolver cartridge. Then you will want an aggressive roll crimp.

Like I said above, if your 1911 is performing well at 1.265" with W231, use the same exact OAL with AutoComp. If you need to make an adjustment do so with the powder charge, not the OAL.

I load all my 45 Auto ammo with an OAL between 1.250" and 1.265" depending on the bullet and how it feeds. I have never shortened the OAL below 1.250" no matter what Hodgdon says. (their 230gr loads are listed @ 1.200")

Whatever OAL feeds properly. 45 ACP is not as spiky as 9mm with changing seating depths.
Also, you will probably bulge cases over the feed ramp before you can read primers.

New to this forum, question.
I am loading 45 acp 5.1 grns Promo Rainer 230 gr plated HP. now, the Lee manual for 230 gr lead says max OAL is 1.275 and the min COL for Red Dot (promo) is 1.270 That does not leave much wiggle room. 1.270 sticks in my S&W 645 magazine. If I seat them down to 1.265 they feed. Am I taking any chances by seating .01 below min COL?
Thanks in advance

No.

But I would be Very surprised if you can seat that TC bullet shape that long and keep it from hitting the chamber leade.

Do the 'Plunk Test' and see if one that long will drop in the chamber all the way, and fall back out under it's own weight.

The 1.175" Max OAL is for a round nose bullet.
And they don't have nearly as much full diameter bullet shank as your TC HP bullet.


rc

"...probably for their..." Both. Alliant gives 1.2 for a jacketed HP. 1.27" for a cast RN and 1.26" for a TMJ RN.
Listen to rcmodel. If it fits in the chamber, you're fine.

If you look at all loads for the 230 gr LRN or the Hornady FMJFN ALL the COL are 1.200.

They do that just like for any magnum load they use a Mag primer even if the powder does not require one. I called them some time ago and the said "for consistency"

That said, I do not load my 230 gr LRN or FMJ that short.

Thanks for the quick reply. Plunk test at 1.65 works fine, easy in and out, face is slightly below the lip.
Appreciate the help!

I meant 1.265