COL question.

[msta999]

I'm reloading 45 acp HP and RN (230 gr)for the first time. Been doing 45 colts for awhile, but acp is new to me. My question is, the Hodgdon web site states 1.20 col for both, which is what I used, but that seemed a little deep......to me.?!? So (after I finished loading all my brass) I checked the factory loads I have and found the HP 230 gr is 1.236 and the RN 230 is 1.264. Then I checked my Hornady book and it says to use 1.230 for both?? Since the depth affects pressure, should I just go with the powder manufacturer?

FYI, I'm using clays powder (3.8-4.0 grain) and a mix of brass.

 

[rg1]

1.200" is too short for all the 230 fmj's I've loaded. I seat 230 fmj's to 1.250-1.260" depending on the brand. Most 230 hollowpoint bullets are seated shorter usually from 1.210-1.235". It's usually recommended to use the overall length recommended by your data source but it is ok to change the seating length unless you are at a maximum powder charge and shorten the seating length. If you shorten maximum type loads reduce the powder charge. The main thing about seating depth is will they cycle reliably in your pistols. I generally try cycling them manually both by gently cycling the slide with a loaded magazine and also cycling them as hard as possible letting the slide drop with a loaded magazine to see how they feed up the ramp and into the barrel followed by a trip to the range to check the reliability. FOR TEST CYCLING OVERALL LENGTHS LOAD A FEW ROUNDS WITH NO POWDER OR PRIMER for indoors. DO NOT try this indoors with live ammo. Outdoors keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

 

[bhawkeye]

1.230-1.235 is best for most JHP's I've used. Seems to feed most reliably.

 

[msta999]

I have cycled them through my P90 ruger, they went though good. I did it medium and fast. I'll try some out tomorrow, if I get a chance and see how they work. If I have to pull the bullets out, just a little, they will look like crap but maybe I can polish them a little. We'll see.

Thanks for the help, I thought they were short, but I looked up the spec on the hodgdon web site twice, just to make sure. Should have stuck with the hornady book, says w1.230 for the HP and the RN.

 

[LogicGS]

I load both XTP's and LRN to 1.23" COL, and they feed in every 1911 I have run them through (seven now).

My various manuals show COL's for .45 ACP from down to 1.19" all the way up to 1.265"

If you are building rounds for an auto loader, it's best to find out what your pistol likes best.

Start in the middle somewhere and work up and down in small increments to find your happy band.

All my guns will feed anything from 1.19" up to 1.25", so it may be a wide band.

It may also be a very narrow band. I've heard from guys whose guns will only run with rounds loaded to a COL in a window that is only 0.003" wide (most of the time this happens with certain profiles of semi-wad cutters).

Bottom line: You gotta find out what works with your particular pistol.

 

[JCisHe]

1.24 rn works for me.

 

[rcmodel]

1.200" is too short for all the 230 fmj's I've loaded.

+1

Mil-spec OAL for the 230 FMJ-RN is 1.266" - 1.271".

For perfect feeding in a 1911, thats the length to use when using bullets with the mil-spec shape.

Hornady also makes a Flat Point 230 FMJ, but thats another ball game.
They have to be seated shorter then FMJ-RN.

rc

 

[msta999]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to see how they work today. I have my first batch seated at 1.25, I got for one of my load books, but then I read or was told by several to use the powder manufacturers specs, so that is why I went to the 1.20. I thought it might have something to do with using so little powder.

 

[msta999]

Just got back from trying out my new loads, all worked great, no problems. I did notice the rounds with the col of 1.25 were not as loud as the rounds at 1.20 col. but all worked good. Also, they are not as hot as the +P's I have fired in my Ruger, so I guess there are no over pressure problems.

Thanks again, this is truly a great site.