45 Colt once fired brass question

[SSGCharlie]

Getting set-up to start reloading 45 Colt for the first time and mic. my once fired brass I been saving and found the following.

WW=1.284 avg
CBC=1.273 avg
Winchester=1.279 avg
Hornady=1.225 avg

Is the Hornady cases too short to reload? I wonder why they are so much shorter than the others?

Sierra Manual lists trim to 1.280
Lyman 49th Manual lists trim to 1.275
Speer Manual lists trim to 1.275

I am thinking that the Hornady brass is too short.


SSGCharlie

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hornady has Leverevolution ammo where the bullet has a polymer tip which is longer than most bullets. They shorten the brass slightly to be sure the OAL of the ammo does not exceed the SAAMI limits. I have reloaded that brass before but some dies might not allow a good crimp because of the length. It is good brass.

 

[ATLDave]

Seems to me that short brass in a revolver cartridge probably only matters in terms of crimping and possibly neck tension.

Re: Crimping, you may need to re-adjust the crimp die. For some bullets with a canelure/crimp groove, it's possible that you will also need to adjust OAL; in the event that you are working near max, it's conceivable you'd need to drop down the charge slightly.

Re: Neck tension, if you keep loading to the same length, you will have slightly reduced neck tension versus cartridges with more overlap between the case and bullet. But you'll probably roll crimp, so that may not be a big deal.

 

[SSGCharlie]

Thanks for the replays I don't think I will have any problem taper crimping the brass I use a Dillon 550b and Dillon dies. Resetting the dies is not a problem. Just don't want to hurt my Ruger New Vaquero since these will be the first reloads in them.
I have been only reloading rifle rounds and this my first time with pistol ammo

I am using Berrys 250 FP LC. with 7gm of w231 with OAL 1.600

Thanks Again,

SSGCharlie

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Since the 45 Colt is a low pressure cartridge unless you try to turn it into a .44 Magnum I wouldn't worry about blowing up your Vaquero. The slightly shorter case matters much more in small cases like the 9mm, not huge black powder cases like the 45 Colt. Don't push the limits and you will be fine. Sounds like you already know that

 

[ATLDave]

Straight-walled pistol rounds are really simple compared to rifle rounds. Especially ones that go in a revolver. The huge majority of reloaders don't even trim their pistol brass.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Just save up the Hornady brass until you have enough to mess with. Then readjust your dies and load that batch. It's good, strong brass.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[mdi]

Straight-walled pistol rounds are really simple compared to rifle rounds. Especially ones that go in a revolver. The huge majority of reloaders don't even trim their pistol brass.

Reloaded first .38 Special rounds in 1969. Reloaded my last .38 Special just last month. I have never trimmed a revolver case (.38, .357, .44 Special, .44 Magnum)...

 

[Reloadron]

The SAAMI specifications for the .45 Colt cartridge call out a cartridge length of 1.285" -0.020 so anywhere between 1.265" and 1.285" is within normal SAAMI specification. The reason the Hornady brass deviates was covered.

The typical case trim length is 1.275" or the usual 0.010" below the 1.285" maximum. Loading a FTX bullet a normal case trim would be 1.215". Personally I don't bother with the Flex Tip junk. You don't mention how many you have? "Flex Tip Junk" is just my view of Hornady's attempt to gloss over SAAMI specifications for brass case sizes.

Ron

 

[Rule3]

LEVERevolution* Is the evil doer ammo with the FelxTIP

http://www.hornady.com/store/45-Colt-225-gr-FTX-LEVERevolution/

 

[SSGCharlie]

Thanks to all of you I am really getting an education on 45 colt here.


Thanks Again,

SSGCharlie