45acp overall length question

[tranders]

Going to start loading 185 lswc Missouri Bullets for 45 acp. My Lee loading manual shows a minimum OAL of 1.14 using a starting load of 4.2 grains of Titegroup.
What woud be a good starting point for oal? These rounds will be used in a 1911.
Not looking for match grade accuracy, just a reliable plinking round.

Thanks!

 

[chris in va]

Every gun is different. You'll need to make a dummy round with no powder or primer and experiment with OAL's that fully chamber, or pass the 'plunk test' as it's known.

I usually load LRN, but it's my understanding you'll want to load the SWC so the shoulder is just a hair past the case mouth. The other guys can elaborate.

 

[joneb]

Every gun is different. You'll need to make a dummy round with no powder or primer and experiment with OAL's that fully chamber

I make at least three, After checking the round head spaces in the chamber properly I manually cycle them through the pistol, some magazines may work better than others.
If you are going to use a bullet that is not the same one for your data but is of the same weight, the difference of the charge has much to do with the amount of volume the bullet occupies in the case and the length of the driving band.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have loaded a few thousand of those bullets. I used the barrel out of one of my 1911 ' s to plunk test. My OAL is about 1.160.....In all reality, you just seat a .45 SWC so about a credit card's thickness of the bullet's body is sticking above the case mouth and call it a day.

 

[Grayrock]

Just loaded my first 45's. 200gr lead semiwadcutter with 4.9 grain of Titegroup. The data recommended an overall cartridge length of
1.225 inches. I measured some 230gr ball ammo and it is
1.255". My primary defensive carry ammo is 185gr HP that mics out to be
1.189". I had loaded some of these same bullets on a Lee turret press
several years ago and they measured
1.224". The new rounds I just made are
1.245". Do y'all think I should squash them any shorter or not? They "plunked" OK. Also, as I seated the bullets I noticed a little lead was shaved around the perimeter. Should I bell the cases more? I can't wait to shoot them. Now I just need to get me a new 1911 for Wild Bunch competitions!

Thanks for your info and advice.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I loaded 500 200 gr LSWC tonight. My OAL is about 1.240". I have loaded about 1500 in the past month. They feed great in my Colt National Match.

 

[joneb]

as I seated the bullets I noticed a little lead was shaved around the perimeter. Should I bell the cases more?

Maybe, I would 1st try seating and crimping in separate steps. Sometimes it's the best way.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Yes, bell a little bit more...FWIW, I seat and crimp in one step.

 

[joneb]

I seat and crimp in one step.

I would prefer to do that, but if a slight crimp is applied it can shave lead and lube as the dual step is completed. piling up at the case mouth.

 

[lauderdale]

Tranders im holding a 1 pounder of T.G. and according to label its says 45acp. 5.5g. charge/w185g. hdy. JSWC (case)win. primer fed.150 C.O.L. 1.195 956fps. Don't now how your LSWC measures up to the hdy. profile? I loaded to exact spec. and this round shot well. I also been loading hdy. Haps in 185g hdy. 185g. XTP's 230g. XTP's. Got an email my rmr's shipped the 230g. match that bds first tried. all of these at diff. oals. As stated every gun is different. Now thats w/T.G. states on bottle. Good luck/start low/work up.

 

[mr wack]

As said by all above the "plunk " test is my method ,

I hope the pic shows the "ledge" I leave my cast 452460 swc, it's just enough to pass the plunk and I by the way always put a slight chamfer on my brass afore I expand just to be doubly sure I don't shave lead but like life it doesn't always work out hunky dory all the time ,, oh and I seat / taper crimp in two separate dies but that's just me your mileage may vary,,

 

[Blue68f100]

With LSWC I don't worry about the OAL. I set the seating die up to seat the bullet with just about 0.050" (thumb nail thickness) of the bullet's shoulder showing. The bullet on the right is what your looking for. With LSWC this is std practice. I measured a few of the MBC #1 & #2 and they run around the 1.250" mark.

 

[tranders]

Thank you all for the great info.

At the moment I have a 3 die RCBS for 45 acp. I might go ahead and add a Lee factory crimp die if it makes things easier.


Really appreciate all the knowledgeable folks on THR.

 

[Grayrock]

Left to right: 185gr total copper HP, 230gr ball ammo, 200gr LSWC I loaded on a Lee Classic Turret about 5 years ago, and lastly the same 200gr LSWC I just loaded on my RCBS single stage press.

 

[saltydog452]

f100s thumb nail gauge has worked just dandy with the H&G 130 and H&G 68.

The loaded 68 measures about the same length as GI Ball. The H&g 130 measures about 1.160.

 

[Cemetery21]

I agree on the "thumb nail" or so test. The bullet mold designs vary quite a bit on the length of the nose, so I don't look at OAL for SWC bullets. Seating with the shoulder exposed just a little seems to work regardless of the OAL. Plunk test is always the final test before cycling/shooting a new bullet.

 

[joneb]

I might go ahead and add a Lee factory crimp die if it makes things easier.

Be aware the Lee FCD(pistol) could down size your lead bullets, resulting in barrel leading and loss of case neck tension. The diameter of the bullet and the case wall thickness will decide if this will be a issue using the Lee FCD.

 

[mr wack]

I haven't used the Lee die so can't comment on its function, I used a Redding taper crimp die and it does a fine job.
barely enough is enough when crimping cases for brass that headspace on the case mouth just enough to take the bell out from seating.

 

[Delmar]

Because I seat and crimp in separate steps, I do use the Lee FCD and have had no ill effects from doing so. I crimp to .471 and everything works out nicely. If I had another seating die to apply the crimp, I might use it instead of the Lee, but the Lee is cheap, simple and works for me.

 

[gibekim]

button nose or conical nose

Missouri makes 2 185 grain lswc for 45 ACP. The classic style has the the more conical nose and can be seated to an OAL of 1.200, the other is their Button Nose which much be seated deeper to about 1.160. I use 1.150 in my Kimber 1911. Again, as others have posted, it all depends on your particular barrel. Do the plunk test. FWIW, the Button Nose are more accurate at bullseye velocities. I load them down to 3.6 grains of Bullseye at 1.150 using Federal primers. These will cycle nicely and have minimal recoil. I do, however use a 10 lb recoil spring.

 

[lauderdale]

That's it time to load some lead! 9mil. cone and swc MBC order this morning. Just couldn't resist the price I guess. Looks like il be doing some of the same!

 

[tranders]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Now the weather needs to break so i can get out and start shooting the reloads.

 

[2bfree]

My Lee loading manual shows a minimum OAL of 1.14 using a starting load of 4.2 grains of Titegroup.

That is not a minimum, that is just the OAL that was used for testing.