Caliper_Mi
Member
So, I finally got all the supplies together and reloaded my first cartridges!
I am putting together a 45ACP with a 200gr FMJ bullet over 5.5gr of Win 231 powder using Lee carbide dies and a Lee turret press. I set my bullet seating die to 1.19" OAL listed by the Lee load info that came with the dies.
So, I have two questions...
I first loaded a dummy round with no powder to check function. Pistol is a Para USA GI Expert (just a basic 1911, no double stack or anything fancy). The OAL of the cartridge looked "stumpy" to me. I found that the round would chamber just fine out of the Para brand mags I have, but not out of a GI style mag. The round would nose up out of the GI mag and hang up with the bullet in the chamber, but the cartridge 45* down relative to the barrel. Is this common with 200gr bullets? Should I load to a longer OAL for reliable function in all mags? Would a longer OAL need more powder to keep the same velocity? All my mags work 100% with factory loaded 230gr rounds.
Second, I had a problem getting the bullets to always seat smoothly into the brass without shaving any jacket off. I see evidence of the expander die going about 1/8" into the mouth of the brass, but when I set the bullet on top the expanded case, it takes a very careful touch to have it balance and stay vertical. Often it wants to cock off to one side as it goes into the seating die. Do I need to go still deeper with the expander, or is the problem elsewhere?
BTW: the first six rounds I loaded were successfully tested and all worked great (using a Para brand mag of course). Looking forward to loading more; I'm just finishing up a bench so I can really get this going without making a mess all over the dining table!
I am putting together a 45ACP with a 200gr FMJ bullet over 5.5gr of Win 231 powder using Lee carbide dies and a Lee turret press. I set my bullet seating die to 1.19" OAL listed by the Lee load info that came with the dies.
So, I have two questions...
I first loaded a dummy round with no powder to check function. Pistol is a Para USA GI Expert (just a basic 1911, no double stack or anything fancy). The OAL of the cartridge looked "stumpy" to me. I found that the round would chamber just fine out of the Para brand mags I have, but not out of a GI style mag. The round would nose up out of the GI mag and hang up with the bullet in the chamber, but the cartridge 45* down relative to the barrel. Is this common with 200gr bullets? Should I load to a longer OAL for reliable function in all mags? Would a longer OAL need more powder to keep the same velocity? All my mags work 100% with factory loaded 230gr rounds.
Second, I had a problem getting the bullets to always seat smoothly into the brass without shaving any jacket off. I see evidence of the expander die going about 1/8" into the mouth of the brass, but when I set the bullet on top the expanded case, it takes a very careful touch to have it balance and stay vertical. Often it wants to cock off to one side as it goes into the seating die. Do I need to go still deeper with the expander, or is the problem elsewhere?
BTW: the first six rounds I loaded were successfully tested and all worked great (using a Para brand mag of course). Looking forward to loading more; I'm just finishing up a bench so I can really get this going without making a mess all over the dining table!