45 acp reloading

[Walkalong]

I don't deburr/chamferr auto cases like 9MM, but always do revolver calibers like .38 Spl when new or after trimming.

 

[lordpaxman]

Looking back I shake my head when I look at all the powders I accumulated.......

If you think that’s a lot of powders.....But that’s part of the reloading hobby, finding the one powder to rule them all. So far I have about 5 favorite powders for .45. WST is really nice for coated lead if you want to try something else. N320 is another one and both will load other calibers.
Regarding your crimp in the picture, ideally you just want to remove the bell, not force the brass into the softer lead bullet. You may want to reduce that “crimp” even more, use your barrel as a test gauge. And unless every case is trimmed to the exact same length, you may be setting the crimp on a longer case and then the shorter cases may not get enough. Good luck!

 

[Crazy Horse]

WST. Hmm, do I need another powder in my inventory........

I just looked at the description on WST. I input data on the site and guess the OAL that was listed........ 1.200 for both LRN and FMJ 230g bullets.

Rule3's statement looks to be spot on.

THX

 

[Rule3]

So I adjusted the hornady die and added the Lee taper crimp die. Please excuse the old looking bullet, It wouldn't take a shine when I tumbled it, so I use them when making adjustments to the press to make sample bullets. The darker bullet is at 1.240 (left bullet) and the lighter one is at 1.200. Definitely a better looking seat. Also, more importantly, I didn't get a lead ring shaving-on the test round.
View attachment 905377

Please excuse the granules on the photo. THe left bullet looks like it was shaved, but it wasn't, when I applied the taper crimp, it seems to have changed the color on the case. That makes it look odd, but there was no shaving on the cartridge which was my original concern.

I also did a plunk test using both bullets. They passed the plunk test on my 3.3 Shield 45 barrel.


I'll be trying out a sample run later in the evening. I'll have to get used to putting the bullet on the case at a different stage, but I should be able to get used the change.

THX

In your first 1st picture is 'Mo better" than the second which is much to short.

Her is one of mine at 1.260. A tiny bit (finger nail) of the driving band is visible. It plunks in a match 1911 (and then all other 45 barrels I have)
It could go a bit shorter to 1.250 Splitting hairs here. (The round moved when taking picture)

 

[Skgreen]

RE: I didn't catch what expander die you were using.
I'm not sure I caught that either.
I tend to experience far, far fewer bullets left with w 'seater rings' when I use my RCBS expander.

 

[mdi]

Agree, but doesn't flaring more than needed shorten the life of the case?

Possibly, but by how much? With maximum flare will you get 3, 5, 10 less reloading before a split? For a newer reloader having trouble with bullet shaving, which is better; fretting over shaved bullets, the possible loss of 5 reloadings on a case, or getting good shootable handloads now? There is an abundance of 45 ACP cases available today and not overly expensive, either new or "once fired". After the newer reloader works out the problem of bullet shaving, he can choose to "extend" his case life by reducing flare...

 

[Crazy Horse]

RE: I didn't catch what expander die you were using.
I'm not sure I caught that either.
I tend to experience far, far fewer bullets left with w 'seater rings' when I use my RCBS expander.
View attachment 905518

I use the DoubleAlpha PTX which goes in LNL powder charger This expands the case while charging it.

 

[nofendertom]

Skgreen---that seater ring could be caused by using a swc seater on a round nosed bullet.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I'm using a round nose seater on the Hornady seater die.

 

[Ruger 15151]

I use the DoubleAlpha PTX which goes in LNL powder charger This expands the case while charging it.

These are powder through expanders that have a stepped design like the Redding, RCBS, Dillion, and Lyman M-type expander dies.

https://www.doublealpha.biz/us/mr-bulletfeeder-powder-funnel

They were designed to work with a bullet feeder so that the bullets would drop into the case rather than sit on the flare. If you look closely you can see a line about half way up. This is the second step which is a few thousands larger than the first step. Then there is a flare at the top.

I expand and drop powder in separate steps because I have found I can be more precise with both that way. However, if your process is to expand with the powder funnel, these will improve that process.

 

[Ruger 15151]

That ring on your bullet likely cause by the extra seating pressure that was being applied because your die began crimping the case before the bullet was fully seated. With a properly flared case and the die raised about 1/2 a turn (to prevent it from crimping), the mark from the seating stem will probably disappear.

 

[Crazy Horse]

THX.

The coating seems light on the MBC bullets. I've never have that ring on ACME or Brazos precision bullets when I reload those.