45 ACP reloading COAL differences

[kmw1954]

Press flex, seater stem fit and even overall press tightness, meaning slop, Will be there no matter what and which brass being inserted isn't going to make a difference because that is all inherent in the process. Agree that tightness between the brass and the die due to wall thickness while sizing or irregular primer pockets can effect Flex or distortion. Also agree the only real effect different case lengths is going to have is in the crimping process.

The basic consistency of the bullet nose shape or bullet over-all length in relation to the seating stem is going to be the biggest contributor to inconsistent over-all length. If the seating stem is locating off the tip of the bullet and the shell holder returns to the very top of the stroke it should reproduce the same dimension every time. But as we all know the bullet seating stem does not orientate off the tip if the bullet in most cases.

 

[joneb]

I don't mix head stamps, but I've noticed even within the same head stamp there is varying amounts of pressure required to resize the cases. I noticed that this variation translates to varying resistance when seating the bullet.
So even with brass of the same head stamp I have two or three containers, easy, medium and hard to resize. So I sort cases of the same head stamp. This has improved COL variation ES an SD numbers and accuracy for me.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm going to settle and utilize an OAL of 1.247-1.243. That's well within the tolerances that Rule3 provided in the pdf he attached and should keep shooting results consistent.

I load my ammo for the 45 ACP as long as possible as long as it will pass the plunk test and it's not over the SAAMI limits. (1.275") That seems to always work best for me and the ammo is accurate. I do the same for the 9mm and 32 ACP within their SAAMI limits of course.

 

[BCR#1]

My solution: don't check COAL after seating every bullet. If they fit, feed, and shoot straight I stop worrying about it.

It used to drive me crazy checking COAL of 1.250 when loading Badman 200 grain LSWC bullets for my 1911 for use in bullseye matches and finally went with the above quote. My loads work just fine and stay on the paper so I leave it be.

Bill

 

[243winxb]

Seating depth variation.-

The variation is as follows: It calls for an OAL of 1.240. Brazos precision bullets after the seating are ~1.260. I do a quick reseat (theoretically it shouldn't change as there no change in height) then OAL goes to ~1.2350

A difference of .025" variation is not normal.

Normal is .005" for a single stage press. For a progressive press is .010" These are maximums.

Normal neck tension, to move a seated bullet, is from 35 lbs to over 100 lbs. Its different between brands of brass. Some Remington brass may let the bullet very loose in the case when seated.

My test.

Op may have a die adjustment problem? Or a bad die.

 

[RemoW]

As a general rule. If the OAL is no where near max OAL (1.275) and you are not loading for max powder load I would not worry about it. Going out to far is going to decrease pressure. The issue is only problematic if you are shooting max powder load and the bullet is seating way to deep, which will cause pressure problems. 45 acp is very forgiving.

It has been my experience in 25 years of reloading that cast, plated and powder coated all very in length. Take your Brazos bullets and just measure the bullet top to bottom with calipers. You will find variation.

Load a little long if you are really worried about it. But it sounds like you have a lot of room with where you are seating that bullet.

HTH,
Dan...

 

[kmw1954]

With Autoloaders I have established the tendency to load to the long side and have found when starting a load and starting at the suggested start load that I ususally end up with a load that will not fully cycle the gun. Mostly it is only that on the final round it does not lock the slide back. But to bump up the charge .1gr or shorten the load length by just .010 and the round now fully cycles.