First time loading .45 SWC

[casper129]

918v - I think I did it correctly this time. I started with a .459, hammered in dummy round, and got a .4515 Sound right?

 

[918v]

Prolly not. If your bullets measure .452" out of the box, they won't chamber in a .4515" freebore at the OAL you cited.

Measure the front driving band of your dummy round in several places and be gentle with the caliper lips.

 

[casper129]

Rounds measure .4515 out of the box... Measured 20 randoms.

And pardon my ignorance.. but what is the "front driving band" I'm assuming it's the shoulder of the bullet?

 

[casper129]

Could my crimps have also been a problem? In an earlier post someone said .470.. And I posted some of mine being as small as .468 I believe.. That would mush the lead .002 smaller from the very start...

 

[jjjitters]

You need to use a micrometer to be able to actually know what your barrel or "freebore" is. Calipers WILL NOT give you the EXACT measurement, especially the cheap ones, way, way, too easy to be inconsistant with pressure, plus flex.

It's doubtful the crimp did it, it would mostly just push in a little ring right at the case mouth but leave most of the bearing surface good.

I can say right now, you will get leading with those undersize bullets(you should be able to minimize it a bit), thats all thats to it!! I can use ANY lead alloy: hard, soft, lino, pure lead and get no leading with most of the powders I have, why? Because my bullets are bigger than the bore. Sorry to come across kind of anal, but I'm just at a loss as to the goings on here:banghead::banghead:

 

[Walkalong]

Even with a micrometer, it takes practice to get it to the nearest .0001 consistently.

 

[jjjitters]

^^^ agreed

 

[918v]

But it will get him close enough for this application.

If the rounds are .4515" and the freebore is the same, then the rounds won't chamber. The fact they do tells me the freebore is larger.

Mr. Casper, can you show us a pic of the dummy round you pounded into the chamber? Did you get an adequate amount of freebore imprint to get a good measurement?

 

[jjjitters]

One other thing is if there is sharp corners or sharp steps at the start of the lead,.40S&W barrels are the worst for this. They can shave lead and make a good sized bullet,shaved undersized or open up and area that gas can escape.

 

[casper129]

918v - Picture.

 

[casper129]

Here's another one I just rammed in there..



.4525 on this one.

 

[jjjitters]

Ahh, the money shot, (well not really)

 

[918v]

If your bore slugged .4525" then your freebore must be .453"+. Your bullets are .4515" and they are a couple thousands undersize which explains the leading.

 

[casper129]

So basically, for this batch of 500 bullets I have from MBC, I'm just going to have to deal with the leading.. and hope the next batch is a hair bigger.. eh?

 

[Walkalong]

Which BHN bullets from MB?

 

[LiveLife]

Which BHN bullets from MB?

OP's pictures showed a box of "Bullseye #1" so 12 BHN.

I am a little puzzled ...

Based on my experience, MBC 12 BHN 200 gr SWC with 5.0 gr of W231/HP-38 and 4.0 gr of Promo/Red Dot at around 1.25" - 1.265" OAL using .473" taper crimp have worked well with various 45ACP pistols to include 1911s (Sig/RIA/Kimber/Para/S&W/Colt/SA,etc), M&P45/Glock(LW barrels) and even my Taurus PT145 with oversized barrel with groove diameter of .456"+.

With the oversized PT145 barrel, I got leading and poor accuracy with 18 BHN SWC (IDP #1) but the softer 12 BHN SWC (Bullseye #1) resolved the leading and accuracy returned. Even the lighter 4.0 gr Promo target load works well with the oversized Taurus barrel.

I take these to mean that the 12 BHN bullet is soft enough to undergo plastic deformation of bullet base even with .004"+ void between the bullet and the barrel to provide sufficient obturation! Yes, I do get slight smearing at the chamber end of the PT145 barrel but no leading down the rifling.

 

[918v]

I dunno about .004" obturation at 45 ACP pressures.

 

[casper129]

Well, off to the range I go. I loaded up some test batches with different OAL's from 1.270 down to 1.235. See if there's any difference, or one that leads it significantly. Last time it took less than 40 rounds...

 

[918v]

I don't think OAL is going to change anything. Order some that are sized .453" next time.

 

[casper129]

Yeah.. Leading on all lengths. The longer the OAL the worse the leading... 1.235's were super accurate, and leading wasn't super horrible.. So that's what I'll probably load the remainder of the 500 up at..

 

[LiveLife]

Any chance you can shoot your loads in other pistols to see how they do leading wise?

 

[casper129]

Sadly bds, all of my friends decided to sell their .45's this past summer because of the cost of ammo.. And they all bought 9mm's. Screw that! I love my 1911

 

[918v]

Get a H&G #68 mold

 

[PapaG]

Over analyze. If the load is safe, shoot it and show us the groups. Bottom line.

 

[casper129]

PapaG - That's what I will be doing with this batch of rounds from MBC. I will be getting some Hoppes #9 Lead Cleaning solution, and cleaning after every trip to the range (which I do anyway) If that stuff doesn't work magic, I will try that solution with some Bronze Wool, or maybe invest in a Lewis Lead Remover.. We'll see how bad the leading is after 100 rounds this coming weekend.