Crimping .45 LRN bullets

[JimGun]

I have been trying to load Missouri Bullet Company's .45 LRN for my Ruger Blackhawk and been having trouble with the loaded cartridge fitting into the cylinders. I have the O.A.L @ 1.260; the taper crimp at the case mouth is .474-. (Both lyman and Speer recommend a taper crimp.)
the MSB measures .452+, while Ranier RN is exactly .452. I would appreciate any advice on where I should start to correct the problem. Also, would a roll crimp be suitable if I am shooting them in a .45 Blackhawk Revolver, rather than a 1911?

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Which bullet? I've loaded the Cowboy #1 & 4 and the Elmer K. I tried a taper crimp with the #1, but went back to a heavy roll crimp. No problems with fit in the cylinder. Are you crimping too tight and bulging the case around the bullet?

 

[ljnowell]

I use the Missouri Softball 230 gr in my Ruger only loads in my blackhawk. I do not crimp over the driving band on the bullet, but I do make a firm roll crimp. There is no crimp groove, but the soft lead will allow you to make one when you crimp into it. Great accuracy with it this way too. Put the same crimp you would with any other bullet, just seat it to a depth that works in the gun. I can try to get a picture of a loaded round, if you would like to see one.

 

[ants]

What powder? My favorite powder for this cartridge (and 44mag and 357mag) is 2400, which loves a really really solid and consistent roll crimp. With or without crimp groove, although selecting a bullet with crimp groove is best for a big revolver. At least that's my tiny little experience. What do you guys think?

 

[243winxb]

45 ACP in a Revolver

the case mouth is .474"

Add more taper crimp till the rounds chamber and/or seat the bullets deeper. If the cylinder has a tight throat like .451", this can keep your round from chambering fully. The bullet would have to be seated deeper. A mouth at .470" should be ok without sizing the body of the bullet as it sits inside the case. If using Lee seating die, it will taper then roll crimp the more you push the round into the seating die.

Also, would a roll crimp be suitable

Not needed unless the bullet moves under recoil, then maybe roll crimp. I have always just taper crimped for my revolvers.

 

[Hammerdown77]

If your .45 Blackhawk is like mine and most everyone else's, it has tight chamber throats. I have the .45 Colt/Auto convertible, and in the .45 Colt the chambers were like .4505", and .4895" in the Auto cylinder. Couldn't get anything in the Auto cylinder except factory FMJ hardball, due to the more pointed ogive. Had them reamed out and everything is golden now. I also use Missouri Bullets.

 

[rcmodel]

I have the O.A.L @ 1.260; the taper crimp at the case mouth is .474-

I was thinking Ruger Blackhawk = .45 Colt, but these measurements have to be for .45 ACP.

Taper cimp them to .469" min - .471" max and they will fit.

.474" crimp isn't getting all the case mouth bell out.

rc

 

[ljnowell]

I was thinking Ruger Blackhawk = .45 Colt, but these measurements have to be for .45 ACP.

Me TOO!

 

[JimGun]

Hammerdown77,
I have the same .45 Colt/Auto and it is the tight chamber that is giving me the problem with the .45 ACP. At 1.260 the MBC bullet wont fit. I reduced the O.A.L to 1.216 and everything was fine.
I'm not sure how the powder could effect this, as some questioned above. I am using 5.2 grains Hodgdon's Universal. I prefer W231, but since the Obamanation that causes desolation has arrived, I use whatever powder I can find that is contained on Hodgdon's loading charts.
Thanks for the discussion, everyone.
jim

 

[ljnowell]

Jim, since my first post was way off topic (I thought we were talking about 45 colt) I will attempt this again, even though it will be slightly off topic also. I load the MBC softball in 45 acp also. I have always loaded my Autos at the longest length that would function. With that bullet it was usually around 1.265 or so. One day, on a whim, I loaded them .030"
shorter, just to see what the difference was. It was surprising.

I have had lots of people tell me that with handgun rounds seating depth like that shouldnt make a difference in accuracy. It did. My groups went from 2-2.5 at 20 yards to 1.5" or less. No joke. I dont know why. If it elevated it to a slightly higher pressure, if it had to do with the jump to the rifling, I dont know, but in my 1911, glock, and XD, that bullet shot better loaded shorter than it did loaded to max OAL.

I wouldnt worry about loading it shorter than you are used to, just as long as its a safe load. In a Blackhawk, I would be surprised if it wasnt. Just my 2c.