45acp oal

[rikman]

I just loaded up some Rocky Mountain 230gr fmj's on my Dillon 550B that I just put in a new Redding Comp seater. I noticed the OAL was vary a bit. I was shooting for 1.265 since that worked before with Precision Delt 230gr bullets.

Any thoughts? I'm guessing the variance is due to differences in ogive. Should I just go for a OAL range? I tested about 21 this morning with a Les Baer Commander size 1911 and had one FTF, slide didn't go all the way into battery.

Thanks,
Rikman

 

[jblackfish]

I've loaded thousands of RN bullets and I use 1.238 as my standard. Why? Mainly because it works. I think most factory loads are 1.260 or thereabouts.

 

[Walkalong]

I load round nose bullets in .45 ACP to 1.260/5. (There is always going to be a small spread.) Most pistols will accept this OAL. I have never had one that won't, but never say never.

 

[rikman]

Walkalong,

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm going do to the same as you. I measured some bullets and they were varying quite a bit. I read in another forum thread that the taper crimp/die could cause this. I checked my crimps and they were good, right at .470...

Are you using a progressive press also?

 

[Walkalong]

I am loading them on an LNL. Some bullets will be a little more consistent in OAL, but a .005 spread is pretty common. The better the seater stem fits, the better the spread. It may seem like they would not, but presses stretch a hair under pressure. I do not size while loading, which helps consistency a little. It certainly gives a better feel.

At .470, you are just about perfect. This one measures .471.

 

[beatledog7]

My Baby Eagle in .45ACP has a short throat; every JHP has to seated a little deeper than generally recommended. In fact, Sierra 230gr JHP #8805, when crimped/deflared to .471, has to be seated to 1.192 to plunk in and fall out. The bullet has a massive hollow and therefore a chunky ogive To boot, it's spec'd at .4515. I back off my loads just a bit when using this bullet.

BTW, I've got some factory 230gr FMJ that is deflared to .467. Seems a little tight to me, tighter than I would do. Shoots ok.

You never know what OAL will work until you try that particular bullet in your chamber.

 

[Walkalong]

You never know what OAL will work until you try that particular bullet in your chamber

And here is how to find out:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506678

 

[ArchAngelCD]

So far I've loaded all my .45 Auto ammo between 1.255" and 1.270" and it's worked well for me. Most of the ammo is loaded to between 1.260" and 1.265" like said above.

 

[rcmodel]

GI mil-spec ball & match 230 FMJ-RN is loaded to 1.266" - 1.271".
Taper crimped to .470" - .471" case mouth..

Yours should be too if you are using a bullet with the same shape as a GI 230 FMJ-RN.

rc

 

[thunderranch.45]

You might want to make sure your shellplate is'nt to loose. I've read that there can be small amount of flex in the shellplate causing small variances in col. also make sure to have a round in the first station to counter balance the shellplate when setting col. Like i said this is just something i read but it does make sense.

 

[Walkalong]

The cases are basically "floating" in the shell plate cut out. They are pushed against the sub plate when bullets are seated. Since the bullets are all being seated in the same station, thus the same spot on the sub plate, that should not vary or affect the OAL.

 

[Kyle M.]

I load my .45acp 230 fmj's to 1.250 they only vary .001-.003.