I'm fairly new to reloading and currently only do the 45LC.
I've tried 2 loads so far both with 200gr LRNFP bullets.
One load is 6.3gr Titegroup and the other is 7.2gr Titegroup.
The 6.3 gr load is obviously a low pressure load because of the case blackening that occurs when fired.
The 7.2 gr load is higher pressure but since the Hodgdon manual states that 7.7 gives only 12,700 CUP and SAAMI specs for 45LC is 13,800 the 7.2 is still way less than SAAMI.
OAL on the the 6.3 gr was set down at 1.58" from 1.6" nominal trying to get the pressure up but that didn't help.
On the 7.2 I ran an OAL of 1.585. Still get case blackening but about half of what it is on the lighter load and that's probably due to the heavier load and not OAL.
I currently use what I consider a light to medium crimp (have no way to judge that) and make it using the Lee Factory Crimp die.
Would a heavier crimp get more pressure and hence more efficiency out of the load?
How does one judge the amount of crimp?
Currently on what I consider a medium crimp one can see a slight amount of roll at the edge of the brass. With the light crimp I can barely see a roll at the edge of the brass. I'm kinda afraid to put a *heavy* crimp and wouldn't know how to judge it anyway. Since I fire the cartridges out of both revolvers and a lever gun I'm hesitant to try no crimp.
Both loads are more accurate for me than the factory Magtech and Ultramax ammo I've tried but neither of them exhibited the low pressure sypmtoms of case blackening like my loads do.
Advice from you experts...
I've tried 2 loads so far both with 200gr LRNFP bullets.
One load is 6.3gr Titegroup and the other is 7.2gr Titegroup.
The 6.3 gr load is obviously a low pressure load because of the case blackening that occurs when fired.
The 7.2 gr load is higher pressure but since the Hodgdon manual states that 7.7 gives only 12,700 CUP and SAAMI specs for 45LC is 13,800 the 7.2 is still way less than SAAMI.
OAL on the the 6.3 gr was set down at 1.58" from 1.6" nominal trying to get the pressure up but that didn't help.
On the 7.2 I ran an OAL of 1.585. Still get case blackening but about half of what it is on the lighter load and that's probably due to the heavier load and not OAL.
I currently use what I consider a light to medium crimp (have no way to judge that) and make it using the Lee Factory Crimp die.
Would a heavier crimp get more pressure and hence more efficiency out of the load?
How does one judge the amount of crimp?
Currently on what I consider a medium crimp one can see a slight amount of roll at the edge of the brass. With the light crimp I can barely see a roll at the edge of the brass. I'm kinda afraid to put a *heavy* crimp and wouldn't know how to judge it anyway. Since I fire the cartridges out of both revolvers and a lever gun I'm hesitant to try no crimp.
Both loads are more accurate for me than the factory Magtech and Ultramax ammo I've tried but neither of them exhibited the low pressure sypmtoms of case blackening like my loads do.
Advice from you experts...
