Sizing 45 ACP brass

Yes to OCD. If it plunks in the chamber, it's good to go.

The numbers in the loading manuals are not etched in stone they are to give you a starting point. LikeColtPythonElite said do the plunk test if it works you are good to go for starter loads. If you don't know what the plunk test is Google it their are a lot of articles about the plunk test

Only measurements I've ever taken of my .45ACP reloads is OAL. If they plunk they are fine.

plunk and neck tension like they said

The 0.473 and 0.476 are SAAMI Maximum case diameter measurements for the 45 ACP cartridge. Real world dimensions are smaller.

The thing about dimensions, there are allowable tolerances. In the case of SAAMI cartridge dimensions, the tolerances are specified. In this case it is +0, -0.006”.

You're being OCD. The only dimension that changes is I have to flare a bit more for lead bullets which are 95% of what I shoot.

Measure 45 ACP brass?

Hearsay!

Of course loading it single stage is something I wouldn't do either. I typically run 400-800 rounds at a time of 45 ACP on my Dillon 650.

My process is this.

1. Knock the dirt off the brass if needed. Run brass in vibratory tumbler till I remember to take it out.
2. Throw brass in bucket of cleaned brass.
3. Scoop clean brass out of bucket and spray with Hornady One Shot.
4. Pour lubed brass into case collator.
5. Start pulling handle on the 650.
6. If there's a stop at station 2, priming station, remove that cursed small pistol primer 45 ACP brass and banish it to the jar with the rest of it's foul fellows.
7. Continue till done.
8. Grab the EGW seven hole case gauge and start dropping ammo into it. Make sure primers are right side up and fully seated. Any ammo that doesn't fit the gauge goes into the "pull" bucket. The rest goes in a can to take to the range.

Typically I'll have 2-3 per thousand that won't gauge. Since I have multiple 45 ACP firearms the gauge works best for me. If the ammo fits the gauge it works.

If there's a split case I'll normally catch it at the sizing station or at the very least the bullet seating station.

Toprudder said:

The thing about dimensions, there are allowable tolerances. In the case of SAAMI cartridge dimensions, the tolerances are specified. In this case it is +0, -0.006”.

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If you had a round that measured +1 or -0.005 would you use it anyway?

buba68 said:

If you had a round that measured +1 or -0.005 would you use it anyway?

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+1, no. +0.001, yes.

-0.005” is within tolerance.

I just plunk 'em. If they plunk, they're good. if not, I crimp more. That's my "tolerance"

sequins said:

I just plunk 'em. If they plunk, they're good. if not, I crimp more. That's my "tolerance"

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I check col before i crimp more with my taper crimps.

sequins said:

I just plunk 'em. If they plunk, they're good. if not, I crimp more. That's my "tolerance"

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I must be living on the ragged edge of reloading. In all my years of reloading I never pulled up the SAMI dimensions for any of the cartridges that I have reloaded. I always do the plunk test for all of my pistol cartridges to get the correct COL. I use the Lee 4 die set for all or my pistol cartridges and the fourth die when adjusted correctly crimps and if there are any bulges in the brass the carbide insert resizes everything back to factory specs. Never had any issues with feeding, firing or ejecting.

In 30 years of reloading, I've never put a calipers on my 45 ACP ammunition except to measure the overall length.

I set up my sizer die per the manufacturer's instruction which is essentially the carbide die just kissing the shell holder. When sizing a case, I like to see a sliver of light between the die and shell holder just so the carbide ring does not get any undue pressure on it during sizing. (Note, many current manufacture carbide sizing dies have the carbide ring recessed a little so that the die can be set to touch the shell holder.)

At one time, I've checked that the neck tension was sufficient but rarely since.

I set the taper crimp die to remove the flare of the case mouth as seen by my eye.

I check a few in a barrel from one of my guns here and there but not very often any more.

They all work in my guns.

Hey, it is not rocket science. Don't over think things.

cfullgraf said:

In 30 years of reloading, I've never put a calipers on my 45 ACP ammunition except to measure the overall length.
Hey, it is not rocket science. Don't over think things.

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+1

Measure 45 ACP brass?

Hearsay!

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Yep!

remove that cursed small pistol primer 45 ACP brass and banish it to the jar with the rest of it's foul fellows

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SP .45 brass is a pain, but it is nice to have in case you don't feel like changing the press to LP, or don't have any LPs.

Dudedog said:

Yep!





SP .45 brass is a pain, but it is nice to have in case you don't feel like changing the press to LP, or don't have any LPs.

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I have a pair of 650's. One small primer, the other large primer.

Like cfullgraf mentioned I haven't measured anything but finished OAL in many years. I do remember, after reloading a few thousand 45 ACPs, I saw reference to .471" as necessary for good chambering. Can't remember what my handloads measured at the case mouth, (.473"?) but all fed, fired quite well so I quit measuring and kept using the plunk test for my 3, 45 ACP guns...

Early on, I measured loaded cases just out of curiosity, but all I do now is run a plunk test for new bullets or guns, and use a case gauge.

When I started reloading I tried to measure the case at the mouth to determine if I had the right amount of crimp. Over the years I have changes the way I do it and treat 45acp, 9mm, 40s&w and even 357sig the same. I use a Lee FCD and set/check the crimp until it is just right. For a just right test I place the jaws of the caliper over the case just below the mouth. It has to be tight, but not over tight to allow the jaws slide up towards the mouth. Before any crimp the jaws will get stuck on the expansion bell. I will adjust the crimp until the jaws are able to slide over the mouth without any resistance. This method has been working for me for a few years now.

Cannibul said:

Measure 45 ACP brass?

Hearsay!

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I think you mean, heresy.

When loading 45acp I set my taper crimp to .468" ~ .4685". With a crimp of .469" the round may or may not plunk in my barrel, and won't rotate if it doe's plunk. Part of reloading is tailoring ammo to a particular gun.

So if it plunks and rotates, you are good to go!

chris