A Little Input, Please

[uncle.45]

Hi, all!
I have only reloaded 45acp with 200g SWCs, but with the purchase of an XD45 Mod2 Tactical, and their reputation for only running well on RN bullets,I decided to try something different.
I got some 200g coated LRN bullets. Then I realized that with the limited Hodgdon powders I use, there is no data readily available.
My 'normal' target load is---

200g LSWCs
4.0g Hodgdon Clays
WLPs
CBC or Winchester brass
1.255" COL
0.471" at the case mouth

Since the LRN bullets are 0.028" shorter than the SWCs, if I load them to 1.222" COL, the pressure should be the same, but at that length the bullet shoulder is well below the case mouth.
The factory RN ammo I have on hand measures 1.262".
Hodgdon's data for 230g LRN is for a COL of 1.200".
Point me in the right direction, please.
Do any of you have a proven, safe, accurate load for such a combination?

 

[Blue68f100]

Test the different lengths(no powder or primer) in your gun to find what feeds the best without jamming. Normally of RN bullets you want to run long as you can. Start with the long length then shorten till you find what feeds good in your gun.

 

[kmw1954]

uncle.45, yes I can attest to the fact that the XD Mod2 will not run a LSWC. I still have 20 of them loaded in a box and have since traded the mold.
I have a Lee 200gr RNFP mold that I am working with right now to shoot in the XD Mod2 and a Tanfoglio Witness 45 that also will not cycle LSWC. The first tests were promising but because I have to seat them so deep I found I need to cut back on the powder charge. I have also picked up a used Lyman 452 225gr RN that I have some loaded but have not tested yet because of the shut down.

 

[BC17A]

Hi, all!
Since the LRN bullets are 0.028" shorter than the SWCs, if I load them to 1.222" COL, the pressure should be the same, but at that length the bullet shoulder is well below the case mouth.
The factory RN ammo I have on hand measures 1.262".
Hodgdon's data for 230g LRN is for a COL of 1.200".
Point me in the right direction, please.
Do any of you have a proven, safe, accurate load for such a combination?

While it's good to be cautious, it's really not necessary in this case. 4 grains of Clays behind a 200gn bullet is well below max pressure of a 45ACP so use your pistol's chamber to determine the best coal and load some from 3.9 to 4.1 to find which cycles your XD reliably. You'll want to have some shoulder protruding outside the case to aid with feeding so start with about the same shoulder outside the case as your 200SWC had, then make sure it fits the chamber and adjust as required. I haven't seen much difference in accuracy when using start to maximum charges of Clays with either 200gn or 230gn bullets, they've all been very accurate.

 

[uncle.45]

I've been busy, but finally got to tinker a bit.
I loaded 10 inert dummies at 1.265" , and the shoulders just hit the leade, keeping them from passing the plunk test.
At 1.262" they plunked, and cycled through the action pretty well.
I chose to give myself a tiny bit of slack, and tried them at 1.260" , and they cycled 'like butta'.
I will load a magazine-full each of 3.8, 4.0, and 4.2 grains Clays, and report asap.
I also have some HP38 to try, but I will do that next week.
Thanks everyone!

 

[FROGO207]

Sounds as if you are off to a good start there. FWIW with a handgun I always start by making sure the round will fit and feed. Then I work up an accurate lload or two. It seems counterintuitive to do it differently if for no other reason you will waste components. You can always pull any dummies and use the brass and bullets over.

 

[rfwobbly]

• IMHO, the primary issue to deal with when working with the short leade of the XD chamber is finding the Max OAL the barrel will physically accept with that exact bullet. This is especially true of the SWC because the full diameter at the bullet's shoulder will collide with the lands, and could cause an OOB condition that would be dangerous for the shooter.

• Backing off 0.005" is a good idea, but may not be enough. If you measure 50 finished rounds and your OAL on some of those varies by (say for instance) +0.008", then some of those rounds will be 0.003" too long and you'll be into OOB territory simply based on the OAL tolerance. It would be much better to err on the side of safety and back off by 0.010 or 0.015"... based on your personal OAL tolerances.

• RN and FMJ bullets chamber by the ogive striking the inside of the hood, and then being guided downward into the chamber. Since a SWC has no ogive, it's the exposed shoulder that strikes the hood. If the Max OAL discussed above leaves little or no exposed shoulder, that would be a very significant finding.

• Since the location of the SWC's shoulder plays such a critical role in correct chambering and safety, you'll be better off to forget about traditional "OAL" and work solely with the bullet's shoulder height.

 

[joneb]

I seat 200gr Extreme plated RN for 45 acp at 1.260" works well for a Colt and Remington 1911 and a Marlin camp.

 

[sparkyv]

Make sure they fit in the magazine as well! Don't ask me how I know.

FWIW with a handgun I always start by making sure the round will fit and feed.

Backing off 0.005" is a good idea, but may not be enough.

 

[uncle.45]

RANGE REPORT
I finally got to shoot today, and the results are very good.
After firing a magazine (13 rounds) each of 3.8, 4.0, and 4.2 grains Clays at 1.260" I had a winner.
I could barely tell a difference from one load to the next except that the 4.2grn load had a slightly lower POI. (1" ish).
Since I normally load 200grn SWCs with 4.0grns I will now be able to load for the XD and my 1911s without changing the powder drop. Too bad they like different bullets.
I guess I could load RNs for them all, but I really LIKE the SWCs.
I also shot some factory FMJs and some JHPs, and the function and accuracy were perfect.
The XD is a great shooter that I will carry confidently now that it has proven itself.

 

[BWS]

Nice follow up post uncle,glad it worked out.

 

[Texas10mm]

RANGE REPORT
I finally got to shoot today, and the results are very good.
After firing a magazine (13 rounds) each of 3.8, 4.0, and 4.2 grains Clays at 1.260" I had a winner.
I could barely tell a difference from one load to the next except that the 4.2grn load had a slightly lower POI. (1" ish).
Since I normally load 200grn SWCs with 4.0grns I will now be able to load for the XD and my 1911s without changing the powder drop. Too bad they like different bullets.
I guess I could load RNs for them all, but I really LIKE the SWCs.
I also shot some factory FMJs and some JHPs, and the function and accuracy were perfect.
The XD is a great shooter that I will carry confidently now that it has proven itself.

Hmm....I load all my 200 gr SWC over 3.6 gr Clays. You would need adjustable sights for this load though. It's nice and soft and the brass doesn't go far.

 

[uncle.45]

I got a good deal on some 230gn JHPs from NorthEastReloading.
Since Hornady and Hodgdon say 4.0 is a max load, I am going to load some at 3.6, 3.8, and 4.0grains to try later today.
I'll give a progress report asap.

 

[uncle.45]

With JHPs the only difference between the three loads is that the 4.0grn rounds felt like the Hornady Critical Defense +Ps I tried when the XD was new, and they threw the brass a few feet farther. (4.0grns is MAX)
They all shot within a fine hair of POA, and cycled the pistol well.
Just because I wanna, I am going to try to make some SWCs that this great pistol will cycle and shoot.
Edit - I will let you know if SWCs fail or not.