First 45 ACP reloads...

[lowcountry308]

I tested out my first 45 ACP reloads yesterday and had a few questions about what I found. I had several variables yesterday so its hard for me to know what to think. I was using a new to me Ruger SR1911 and this was the first time that I had fired the gun along with my first time reloading 45 ACP.

I was using:
Berry's 230gr CPRN and HSM 230gr Hard cast LRN projectiles
Federal cases (small primer)
Remington 1 1/2 primers
COL 1.25-1.26
Bullseye, Win231, and CFE Pistol powders

I had 2/100 rounds have a shaved primer. One left metal raised up and the other didn't seem as bad and was just bright/shiny.



The second thing I noticed was there seemed to be a shiny line on the head stamp that I've never seen on any other of the calibers that I've reloaded. Notice it below A in AUTO.




I have several ideas about what is going on but I'm looking towards you experts to lead me in the right direction. Most of the primers were extremely easy to seat when I was repriming the cases. I thought maybe the primer pockets were too loose and the primers were wanting to back out during firing. I'm skeptical of this though because I know for sure that these are 1x fired brass. I got brass from my BIL and he only fires new ammo. The second theory I had was this is the 1st time using any Remington primers, I have always used CCI. I wonder if the Remington's are a softer cup maybe?? Could it be gun related??

Its also worth noting that the swipes happened in the middle charges of my ladder so I don't believe its pressure related plus there is no real primer flattening. Both primer swipes were using Bullseye but shiny mark on head stamp happened at all charges and powders.


Bonus
Shot 3 Federal 230gr Punch self defense bullets and recovered them
Left to right
- Shot through 2 - 1 gallon jugs and then into dirt
- Shot through 1 gallon jug and into dirt
- Shot into dirt
- Unfired round

 

[Walkalong]

I can’t see the first pic well enough to give an opinion, and I don’t know what a “shaved” primer is, looks ruptured.

I am pretty sure what the second issue is.

How much powder are you using?

 

[funklord12]

The second thing I noticed was there seemed to be a shiny line on the head stamp

Could it be from the ejector or breech face cutout for the ejector? One of my 1911s leaves a slight marking and it's not something I worry about.

 

[Charlie98]

How much powder are you using?

That's my question.

I really, really don't like the look of that first primer. Last time I saw primers like that, they were on some overpressure 9mm I loaded.

 

[fxvr5]

Tell us what your load data is.

Picture #1. Primer flow that has been 'sheared'. It's usually a sign of high pressure, but your primer is not flatted very much, so it doesn't match the usual cause. Maybe your firing pin hole is a little large? Hard to say. I see it sometimes when pressure shouldn't be that high, too. See if you can correlate it to one of your powders. Maybe a fast-spike powder. I'm speculating.

Picture #2. That mark is likely from the breech face opposite of the extractor cutout. It's due to the uneven flat surface of the breech face just above the ejector.

 

[lowcountry308]

I can’t see the first pic well enough to give an opinion, and I don’t know what a “shaved” primer is, looks ruptured.

I am pretty sure what the second issue is.

How much powder are you using?

I tried to enlarge the pic, hopefully it helps

That's my question.

I really, really don't like the look of that first primer. Last time I saw primers like that, they were on some overpressure 9mm I loaded.

Tell us what your load data is.

Picture #1. Primer flow that has been 'sheared'. It's usually a sign of high pressure, but your primer is not flatted very much, so it doesn't match the usual cause. Maybe your firing pin hole is a little large? Hard to say. I see it sometimes when pressure shouldn't be that high, too. See if you can correlate it to one of your powders. Maybe a fast-spike powder. I'm speculating.

Picture #2. That mark is likely from the breech face opposite of the extractor cutout. It's due to the uneven flat surface of the breech face just above the ejector.

I found the the uneven spot and it makes sense now. Thanks!





Both of the swipes/primer shaves, how ever to describe its was using bullseye. I my progression was: 4.2 - 4.6 - 5.0 - 5.4 - 5.8 grains. The big swipe happened on the 5.0 charge. I found load data was spread out for max charge for 230 projectiles and Bullseye. Any where between 5.7 and 6.0 grains.

This might just be an idiosyncrasy of this pistol, but since I had never encountered it before I wanted to run it by ya'll to make sure I wasn't ignorant of a potential problem. THANKS!

 

[fxvr5]

I found the the uneven spot and it makes sense now. Thanks!

That's it!

Both of the swipes/primer shaves, how ever to describe its was using bullseye. I my progression was: 4.2 - 4.6 - 5.0 - 5.4 - 5.8 grains. The big swipe happened on the 5.0 charge. I found load data was spread out for max charge for 230 projectiles and Bullseye. Any where between 5.7 and 6.0 grains.

This might just be an idiosyncrasy of this pistol, but since I had never encountered it before I wanted to run it by ya'll to make sure I wasn't ignorant of a potential problem. THANKS!

I just woke up and noticed you’re using Remington 1 1/2 primers. They could be the problem. They are intended for low pressure rounds, which the 45 is, but they can show pressure issues before other brands..

There’s a article about them here:

https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nra/ssusa_201805/index.php#/p/28

You might be better off using a different brand.

 

[CQB45ACP]

So the mark on the case from the breach face is not a problem? I see it not infrequently.

 

[Blue68f100]

The first one looks like "Primer Flow" which can be caused by several things. One the Rem 1 1/2 are pretty soft but should be able to handle the 45acp pressures, unless over charged. The other thing that cause it is an over sized firing pin hole. Should only have 0.0015" max clearance between the FP and hole. Greater start causing problems. When the clearance reaches 0.003+ you can start piercing primers. Which will cut the breach face, damaging then gun. If one has pierced check for metal sticking to the pin, clean off to save the FP.

 

[lowcountry308]

The first one looks like "Primer Flow" which can be caused by several things. One the Rem 1 1/2 are pretty soft but should be able to handle the 45acp pressures, unless over charged. The other thing that cause it is an over sized firing pin hole. Should only have 0.0015" max clearance between the FP and hole. Greater start causing problems. When the clearance reaches 0.003+ you can start piercing primers. Which will cut the breach face, damaging then gun. If one has pierced check for metal sticking to the pin, clean off to save the FP.

I keep a eye out for pierced primers for sure. Thanks!

 

[Walkalong]

I found the the uneven spot and it makes sense now.

I had a Kimber that did that, a little effort with some tiny fine files/400/600 grit and it's all better.

I haven't seen a primer like that before.

 

[murf]

you may want to increase your c.o.l. a bit. i'm running 1.240 with round nose bullets.

i run a plunk test with all my auto/gun load combos to find out the best c.o.l. for function and accuracy.

luck,

murf

 

[fxvr5]

you may want to increase your c.o.l. a bit. i'm running 1.240 with round nose bullets.

i run a plunk test with all my auto/gun load combos to find out the best c.o.l. for function and accuracy.

?? The OP's OAL is longer than yours.

 

[dcloco]

www.hodgdon.com.....


Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading

Bullet is 230 gr Hornady FMJ FP
Winchester 231 0.451" 1.200"
4.2 751 13,800 CUP
5.3 832 16,800 CUP

Hodgdon CFE Pistol 0.451"1.200"
6.0 815 16,000 PSI
6.8 934 19,800 PSI

 

[murf]

?? The OP's OAL is longer than yours.

dyslexic i guess. i guess my post is reduced to "the plunk test".

thx,

murf

 

[Walkalong]

That old Hodgdon data is for the old 230 Gr TrFP, which is why the OAL is so short. RN need to be loaded longer.

 

[ballman6711]

So the mark on the case from the breach face is not a problem? I see it not infrequently.

No, it's not really a problem and as far as I'm aware it won't shorten your brass life.

I had a Kimber that did that, a little effort with some tiny fine files/400/600 grit and it's all better.

My 45acp Kimber doe's it as well, but I haven't bothered to file it or clean it. It leaves a very pronounced mark on all my brass but feeding, firing, and ejecting the "dinged" brass is flawless. Accuracy isn't affected either, at least at the level I can shoot.

Just a guess on the primer, but it looks to me like it nearly ruptured as others have stated. It may be a "too soft" cup. I would try a harder primer if you have or can get them.

chris

 

[243winxb]

Both of the swipes/primer shaves, how ever to describe its was using Bullseye . I my progression was: 4.2 - 4.6 - 5.0 - 5.4 - 5.8 grains. The big swipe happened on the 5.0 charge. I found load data was spread out for max charge for 230 projectiles and Bullseye. Any where between 5.7 and 6.0 grains.

When there are only 2 problem rounds, bullet set back on chambering, may be an issue?

NOTE the different maximums for different bullets @ Alliant data.

Lead & plated bullets may make different pressures with the same powder charge. What bullet was used with these 2 rounds?

Bullseye powder is for reduced target loads. IMO. Not a good choice for near maximum loads.

 

[dcloco]

That old Hodgdon data is for the old 230 Gr TrFP, which is why the OAL is so short. RN need to be loaded longer.

Thank you. Interesting part, that info was off of Hodgdon's website.....today.

 

[lowcountry308]

When there are only 2 problem rounds, bullet set back on chambering, may be an issue?

NOTE the different maximums for different bullets @ Alliant data. View attachment 958208

Lead & plated bullets may make different pressures with the same powder charge. What bullet was used with these 2 rounds?

Bullseye powder is for reduced target loads. IMO. Not a good choice for near maximum loads.

It was using the plated bullets. I’ve reloaded some more rounds using win231 and plan to try them out tomorrow. The bullseye didn’t group exceptionally for me but the 231 did pretty good. I’m going to see if it does it with 231. I also loaded 50 rounds using large primer brass and cci-300. I’ll just keep an eye everything and see if it keeps doing it. 2/100 is a small percentage.

 

[243winxb]

The pressure in the primer pocket is calculated to be approximately 23,890 psi #41 primers. No powder or bullets loaded.

2 brass with smaller flash holes or blocked flash hole may raise pressures? Same as if tumbling media was left in a case.

Bullseye has never had a powder drop issue for me. No hanging up or bridging from the measure. But always good to check each powder drop till you know the equipment well.

keep an eye (on) everything

 

[Charlie98]

2/100 is a small percentage.

Not to beat a dead horse... but 2 out of 100 is still too much, depending on what the problem is.