.45 ACP LRN HB: how much OAL increase on chambering is acceptable?

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1KPerDay

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I'm working up my first LRN loads (up to now I've been using .452 Berry's plated 230) and have a box of old Remington HB LRNs, .451. I measured the OAL on 5 dummy rounds before test feeding and they were at 1.259 or 1.260, which is the OAL I use with Berry's 230. I chambered/cycled them through my P14-45, letting the slide slam home free as it would in normal function, and re-measured OAL. They had increased by.5 or 1 thousandth.

Is this something to worry about, or is that to be expected? They are of course well within max OAL at 1.260 or 1.261 now, but I just thought I'd ask. Is this even something you guys check? Or do you just cycle some through to make sure they will feed, and do the "plunk test" (which they passed) and call it good?

Thanks
 
.0005" to .001" extra length is not a worry. Might be just measurement error.

I load my 45 ACP 230 RN to 1.250" regardless of bullet manufacturer or type. 1.260" is considered maximum for, at least, M1911s the maximum length to fit in the magazine.

If it fits and feeds, you should be good to go.

Although not as critical with swaged bullets, but more important with cast bullets, watch for build up of bullet lubricant in the seater stem. It will cause the bullet to seat deeper.
 
1.275 is SAMMI max for .45 ACP ammo. I have a couple of mags that don't like em that long though. I use 1.260 to 1.265 for RN ammo. Most will fall in at 1.262/3, but as long as they stay in between my parameters I am good with.

.0005 to .001 movement is minimal and not worth worrying about. I use the old "push the round hard against something solid" test to see if it gets shorter. If it does not, I call it good.

We are always told not to chamber and rechamber ammo a lot, and for just the reason that it can shorten, even with pretty good neck tension.

Besides, your gun should not be slamming it into the ramp. It should glance off of it.
 
What are they sized?

If the bullets are "growing" when you extract them that's a sure sign they are a very tight fit in the throat.

If they're .452, might want to consider running them through .451 sizer and see if the problem goes away.
 
rcmodel said:
Sounds like .45 Colt bullets to me if they are hollow-base.

I was not aware Remington made HB .45 ACP bullets.

What do they weigh??

rc
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Sorry, thought I mentioned. 230 grain. They're like 40+ years old. Here's a pic of the box. They loaded fine and they shoot fine... I just got a couple of 1.5 inch groups at 10 yards, which is as good as my reloads have been so far. No malfunctions. I needed to use a 6-o'clock hold on these, whereas my usual hold is dead center.

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1.260 is a good place to start. Shorten if needed. I have tried shorter, with 200 Gr SWC's, but came back to 1.260.
 
BTW while we're on the subject, what's a good OAL for 215 grain LSWCs in .45 ACP?
Click to expand...

You sure come up with some strange boolits! 230gr RNHB, 215gr LSWC...:D

OAL would depend on the profile of the nose. Some are shorter & blunter than others.
More important is where the shoulder is in relation to the mouth. Generally around .010-ish from mouth to shoulder. It's very easy to go too long & let the bearing surface get into the lands. Make sure they pass the plunk test.
 
Cool, thanks. I've been using up some old inherited components since I ran out of my Berry's 230 plated. :)

The 215 LSWC were made by Markell. They may be intended for the .45 Colt or something... I have some Markell 250 grain SWCs that obviously are.
 
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They are pretty stubby with long sides... this is loaded to 1.178 and is not passing the "plunk" test.

Should I seat it deeper? Hornady lists a 200 gr LSWC at 1.2" OAL.... :uhoh:

BTW I measured these at .4515 or .452 diameter.
 
Never mind... after I got curious and tried a couple different factory loads and they also failed the "plunk" test... I decided I'd actually clean my barrel first. :rolleyes:

All drop right out now. Fancy that. :D

ljnowell, wish I had one to shoot them through. I've wanted an N frame .45 ACP revolver in the worst way for a loooong time. But I'm too cheap to pay what they go for nowdays. :(
 
ljnowell, wish I had one to shoot them through. I've wanted an N frame .45 ACP revolver in the worst way for a loooong time. But I'm too cheap to pay what they go for nowdays.
Click to expand...

I hear ya, I love to load for 45ACP and shoot it. Its still my favorite caliber, though I like to reload 357 mag more. One day I will get one though.
 
Come on 1K, you know you want one. :D

I picked up this 1955 Target for $450ish about 3 years ago. It is a joy to shoot and downright beautiful. keep your eyes peeled everywhere and a deal will come along eventually.
 
I'll buy the next one I see at that price... I've been looking for a while. I'm also fond of the Model 22. *droooool*


I ended up with an OAL of 1.17 for these... bit short but they are really stubby in the cone. They seem to cycle through fine but I haven't shot any yet. Any longer and they wouldn't drop out of the chamber.

I only have 100 pills so I'm probably just going to use these for tin can rolling.
 
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