COAL & jambs with .45 ACP

[SSN Vet]

I've put some 700 rounds through my model 1991 Colt Commander, with the only hiccup being one FTF with a SWC re-load. Every other round I've loaded (HP, SWC or ball, both hot & not) has cycled perfectly (this using the factory Colt 7 round mags), so I've declared the pistol "reliable"

Last week I was in a pinch to load up 5 boxes of .45 acp in a hurry for a USPSA clinic and match I wanted to attend. I had the press set up for 230 gr. Berry's with 4.7 gr. of W231, which has prooven to be a good load in this pistol. My recipe calls out a COAL of 1.25", but as I cranked along I found that I was getting 1.27". Looking back at my notes, I had loaded a couple of boxes at 1.27" previously, so I let it go.

I also needed to get more mags, so I ordered a pair of the factory Colt 8 round mags from Midway, having read that they generally get a good report. They were delivered the day before the clinic, so I had no opportunity to test them.

Much to my chagrin, I had three FTFs, one on the instruction range, and two during the match

Unfortunately, things were happening fast (lots of reloads, no notebook handy,etc...) so I didn't even get a chance to assess which magazines failed. Simply slingshotting the slide, enabled me to complete the string and move on.

The little engineer in my head always tells me to never change more than one variable at a time. The mags was one. But I'm wondering if my getting loose with the COAL may have contributed to the malfunctions.

I think I'm going to run my last two boxes through the seating and crimping process again and set them down to 1.23" and re-test the mags.

Any thought?

 

[rcmodel]

In general, .45 ACP SWC loads work better longer rather then shorter. The determining factor should be if they will chamber without the bullet hitting the rifling leade or not.
If the answer is not, the longer length is almost always better.

I'd say you might be better served by shooting the two remaining boxes of reloads to determine if you might have gotten hold of a bad magazine.

BTW: I like to number all of my mags with a white paint pin, engraving tool, etc., so even when in a rush, I can tell if I have the same mag causing repeated problems.

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

The SAAMI MAXIMUM .45 ACP OAL is 1.275". The GI bullet is a bit pointy in shape, not the hemispherical roundose of many reloading bullets. Most bullet profiles, work better a bit shorter.

Why not try some at 1.25" before introducing yet another variable at 1.23"?

 

[SSN Vet]

for clarification...

I was shooting the Berry's round nose on the day I had failures...

previous to that, my one and only failure was with a cast SWC

 

[rcmodel]

Well, I still contend that longer will always feed better then shorter in a 1911.

A too short load increases the "break-over angle" of the round as it comes out of the mag and the bullet hits the top of the chamber on the way in. That results in 3-point jambs or increased friction on the feed ramp of the barrel.

GI issue 230 grain Hardball & Match ammo is/was loaded to 1.266" - 1.271" OAL.
If the Berry bullet uses a more rounded ogive then the GI bullet, you will have to seat shorter to keep the bullet out of the rifling leade.

But longer will still feed better then shorter.

rc

 

[sophijo]

FTF

This might help. It's anecdotal so take it with a grain of salt. FTF with nose "up"; COAL too long. FTF with nose "down"; COAL too short.

 

[Walkalong]

I load the Berrys 230 Gr RN at 1.265 with no problems. Hard to say if 1.270 caused a problem in your gun. Like you said, you changed two things.

I load to 1.260/1.265 because longer drags in some mags, whether it should or not.

 

[sophijo]

case gauge

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=171349

 

[OYE]

"Much to my chagrin, I had three FTFs, one on the instruction range, and two during the match."

How embarrassing ! Yes, you need to do better than that.

 

[SSN Vet]

How embarrassing ! Yes, you need to do better than that.

I didn't have time to get beyond frustration...

At least I managed to clear the jambs and complete each of the stages.