45 ACP Loads Stopped Cycling

[Lucky Se7eb]

I have started reloading 45 ACP relatively recently. I made some ammo for my first test batch a few months ago which was successful, all the rounds cycled through and shot without any failures in my 1911. After the success of my first batch I made some more ammo in a larger quantity, I planned on keeping the 6.7 gn charge as a lighter shooting load and I was going to work my way up from there for a second recipe.

After going to the range with the new batch of ammo, I can't get the lighter loads to cycle properly in my 1911 or FNX-45 in battery. I've had issues with the brass not extracting and not feeding properly although the first round always chambers. If I manually rack the slide the ammo seems to feed and extract fine and if I drop the rounds in the barrel they fall out on their own. I did not try the hotter loads since I don't want to increase the pressure until I've ruled out other potential problems. I feel like the charge is too light since I am at the minimum charge specified in the Hornady manual but want to see what you guys think. The once fired brass was carbide sized, flared, and taper crimped with the same die that seats the bullet. The outer diameter was taken at the top of the case.

Bullet: Hornady 230 gn FMJ
COAL: 1.265"
Outer Diameter: 0.471"
Powder: HS-6
Charge: 6.7-7.0 gn.

 

[Joe's]

Lucky,
Welcome to the forum.

You probably need to up your charge. Raise it .3 grn. and get back to us.

Be Well,
Joe's

 

[Walkalong]

Hodgdon online data says 8.0 grs for a start load and 9.2 grs for a max load with a 230 Gr jacketed bullet (Truncated Flat Point) @ 1.200 OAL. A RN will be loaded longer, more like the 1.265 you are using.

Even the lead data for a 230 Gr RN @ 1.200 is 7.0 to 8.0 Grs.

You need to bump up the charge. HS-6 doesn't do well at low pressure, and even at max the .45 ACP isn't exactly high pressure. It will do much better above the starting load, and better yet as you approach max.

Welcome to THR

 

[243winxb]

Wrong powder for the low pressure 45 acp. Use a faster burn rate. https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Burn%20Rates%20-%202015-2016.pdf

 

[area51]

Like bullseye


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[WessonOil]

As already posted, that's much too light of a load.

I'll add 231/HP-38 as a favorite 45 ACP powder.

(Same powder...one is marketed by Winchester, one by Hodgon's.)

Also way more economical, as it ranges from 4.2 grains to 5.3, according to Hodgon's website.

 

[243winxb]

45 acp 230 gr fmj HS-6

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. If HS-6 had to be used, a maximum charge with a magnum primer is what i would work up too. Steve's pages has a maximum of 9.4 grs listed.

 

[Ironicaintit]

That is kindof odd that your test batch functioned fine, but the later batch did not.

Was it a warmer day when you ran the tests? And then cooler when you fired the later rounds?
Could be that your load was at the ragged edge of fully functioning, and weather was enough to foul it up.

I used to have a 45acp recipe that I liked for my para ordnance, only later to find that my FNP would not digest them. Had to step up the recipe a bit in potency, and then adjusted the para to suit the new load.

 

[Lucky Se7eb]

Yea that's what I was thinking, that it was strange my first batch worked perfectly and I had roughly a 90% failure rate the next visit. The weather was in the mid 80's the first two times I went with the second time being very humid. I've been able to make it out once more since my last post, I upped my charge about a half a grain and everything seems to work smoothly. I tried some of my old loads that were not cycling and to my surprise they all cycled fine in my FNX and one failed to eject in my 1911...which isn't too surprising given the circumstances since my 1911 recoil spring is very stiff. I knew I was already on the low end as far as the charge goes, but if I had to guess it seems like HS-6 is significantly affected by the humidity. I may try some tests in the future to look at the muzzle velocity differences in the same loads when shot in different levels of humidity. As far as I can tell it hasn't had too much of an impact on my rifle loads though.

 

[Lj1941]

45 acp

I have found the 45ACP rather easy to reload. IMO HS 6 is too slow burning for the 45 ACP. The fact that your loads worked before tells me that something is different this time. It could be the temperature as others have said. Are you sure that the primers and head stamps of your brass are the same as before. I would use a propellant such as HP 38/231, Bullseye, Titegroup or my favorite Red Dot. It is not a rocket science and any of these powders should give you the results you desire. Good luck and be safe.

 

[rg1]

Possibly too long overall length also. Hornady's 230 FMJ has a blunt shaped nose and seating to 1.265" may be a little long. Seating long and mimimum charges even lowers pressure more. I'd try the Hornady 230 FMJ at about 1.230" and check for feeding reliability. Hornady's 9th manual says load to 1.210" but notes that this level is for minimum chambers. Hornady 8th says 1.230". I'd at least reduce oal to 1.250" with your bullet.

 

[Walkalong]

As rg1 posted, if you mean the old Hornady 230 Gr TrFP it needs to be loaded shorter.

As posted, HS-6 is borderline too slow for .45 ACP. It also doesn't like to be downloaded, so is even less suited to reduced loads in .45 ACP.

Have any faster powders?

 

[bayou5252]

I also concur that your COL could probably be shortened. I would try 1.23" - 1.24" COL. I personally load 230 grain RN to 1.24".

Also, check your case mouth diameter, some call it "crimp", others call it "case mouth diameter". For me, I try to get a case mouth diameter of .470", and this functions very smoothly. Although the SAAMI schematics I've seen illustrate this case mouth diameter measurement at .473". In practicality, because case length differs a bit from case to case (I've never trimmed 45 ACP), my case mouth diameters tend to be in between .470" and ..473" and functioning is smooth.

Good luck!