First attempt at reloading .45acp

I don't have Lee equipment but here is what I would do: 1) Make sure the bullet seating depth works in your barrel. I cut two vertical slits in an empty case, push in a bullet and drop the unloaded case w/ bullet into the barrel. The bullet will be allowed to push or move into the case as it contacts the rifling. By this crude method you can find the minimum bullet seating depth., 2) measure your case mouth width. For 45 Automatic I run from .69 to .72 inches in width (measured with calipers). See how say .70 fits into your barrel and chamber., 3) I do use the Lee crimping die with success. It isn't needed but it does make sure the cartridge is slimmed down to basic chamber specs. Once the two items above are satisfied, I then load a few final rounds (maybe 50) and test fire. I hope you find something useful in the above described.

What Robert101
Plus problem may actually be oversize cast boolits as he did not say he sized them. I've had that problem with some cast boolits in my 45. But also like Robert101 said, measuring the front of the case of a loaded cartridge should be about .470
Maybe this helps, Catpop

You will find a lot of discussion on this subject here on THR. It makes sense to look at the most likely suspect first. Load so that the recommended COAL (Cartridge Over All Length) is correct. This should chamber in your gun, and remove that variable as a possible problem.

Notice that "Robert101" makes use of calipers. You don't mention having them. You really, really need calipers, and a decent set shouldn't set you back more than $35-50. This will tell you whether you've removed the "bell*" from the case mouth. Some folks say to only to remove the bell and have the case mouth be of uniform diameter with the rest of the case. Others say to put on a light taper crimp, and give figures. Different people seem to get along with both approaches.

I expand my .45 cases just enough so that the bullet can be set in the case about 1/16" and will sit there while being run up into the seating die.

I adjust my crimping die just enough to reverse what the expander has done. Seems to work for me over many thousands of .45 ACP rounds, loaded with several brands of dies on both single stage and progressive machines.

Before i started using the Lee FCD on all my pistol rounds, I dropped the finished round into a gauge to check for proper dimension. Now my gauges sit in a box, and I'm not looking back.

*The term "bell" came into use to describe the expansion of the case mouth to receive the bullet. Needless to say, the case is in no way supposed to look like a "bell."

Yes, please note that I meant to state .469 to .472. I left off the .4 by mistake. The boys were kind to let it slide.
It is not typical that you will have a problem with the minimum overall. The split case method will bring a resolve to that issue real fast.

Like others have said, make sure you are removing the flare with the TC. Also mark up the bullet with a marker and do the plunk test. The marker will let you know if the bullet is hitting the lands.

Once you have your Max OAL determined by the plunk test and your TC die set correctly you should be good to go. These are the areas that mostly cause problems.

Since your loading lead I would not recommend the LFCD. I don't recommend it all any way. I recommend learning how to setup your dies correctly so you don't need it. You will be better off in the long run without it.

I load 230 gr lead over 5.5 grs of Unique as my target olad. Works very well in my Ruger, Kimber and Colt 1911s.

I don't see mention of his OAL.
With his TC bullet, he may be leaving it too long.
What is your OAL for this bullet/cartridge?

Answer to your question #3, Yes, you can expect to get very good accuracy with Unique in .45 acp.
In fact, Unique is one of thee best all around handgun powders there is. It works well in just about everything.

A TC profile is loaded similar to a SWC. Which means you normally have a thumb nail thickness of the shoulder above the case rim. So OAL will be shorter than a std RN bullet. Now since you have less case volume you need to start low and work up.

Lyman Cast book #4 List's OAL for the Lee 452-230-TC mold @1.170" They are shorter bullets and need to seat deeper to feed...hope this helps.

Seat deep enough that the bullet ogive measures .450" right in front of the case mouth. Sizing to .452" or if barrel groove diameter allows, to .451" , this may help your problem.

My mold is dropping .452-.453. I plan on sizing my next batch.
I ran a dozen rouinds last nite and had poor results. Thats about how many it takes to get my depth set on seating die.

Click to expand...

When you say ran, you mean made or shot?

Just make up a couple of dummy round to find out what your gun likes. NO Primer or Powder. I load my 230 and 185 gr to 1.250" . I have one gun that likes a shorter length of 1.235" .

I kind of suspect that you may not be removing all of the flare with the taper crimp. With calipers you should be able to measure these. Just start where the bullet sits and work toward the mouth. If done right you will get a 0.002" - 0.003" reduction. If your have a kinetic bullet puller and you pull the bullet you should see a line where the crimp was.