First timer. Need extra set of eyes to confirm safe loading of 45acp

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Vin

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Reloading my first batch and before I test them I wanted to do a safety check. I'll be shooting out of a Hipoint carbine. Brass is just what ever I picked up at the range. Mostly Remington.

Hornady 45 Cal (.451) 230 grains, FMJ-RN
5.0gr of W231
CCI Large Pistol Primers
Case OAL is 1.260 in.
Crimp is 0.468 in.

I want to confirm that this is a safe starting load. I used a Lee Turret Press with Lee Carbide Dies. I noticed others seat bullets to 1.265 inches and I understand a shorter depth increases pressure. I went with 1.260 because that's what Remington UMC ammo uses which is what I'm attempting to replicate. I'm second guessing myself and wondering if I should have started with a lower powder charge like 4.6 - 4.8gr. or if I should reseat the bullet depth to 1.265 inches. I weighed all loads twice. Once on Lee Safety Scale and once with MGM Digital Scale.

I can take pictures if that would help. Thanks!
 
That isn't a starting load, I know even without looking it up. Something closer to 4.2 gr is a starting load. The crimp is a bit strong, but probably fine.
 
Which reloading guide are you using as a reference?

And what did they say for starting load & OAL?
 
I don't believe 4.2 grs. Of w231 will cycle the action, I personally load 5.0 grs. Of w231 under either a 200 lswc or a 230 lrn. This seems to work well in my Kimber custom II. But I can't speak to a carbine load.
 
I just looked. The powder website lists that bullet, 4.2 start and 5.3 as max.


I don't know about cycling a carbine compared to a pistol, either.
 
Real GI Mil-Spec 230 grain FMJ-RN would be:

OAL would be 1.266" - 1.271".

Taper Crimp would be .469" - 471".

Powder charge with W-231 would be about 5.5 grains.

But you can't blow up your gun with what you got.

rc
 
Thanks. I have several loading manuals (Speer, Lee, Hornady and Lyman) but they're old editions. I have habit of over researching. My gut was telling me something was off. knowing gi specs was a big help.

Being I only made eight rounds. Should I pull them apart or just set them aside, make a new batch to GI specs and shoot both to compare? I don't have a chrono yet to measure speed. Not looking for hot loads, just plinkering at indoor range. Going for safety followed by reliability then accuracy.

Thanks again.
 
The only thing is your listed crimp. Just iron out the flair. A crimp, per say, is not needed unless your brass is thin (I haven't seen that).

I'm not one to 'jump' to a load. What you have listed looks OK. But, I would work up to it. (OK, I mite not.) :eek:

Load safe.
 
My carbine is a blowback design which made me hesitate starting to low. Oh and another Big thanks to everyone about crimp specs.
 
Hipoints aren't known for being flimsy that I recall. After reading everything posted here I'd go shoot them.

I am only pointing out that if someone is going to work up a load they generally start out at the low end, thus the term 'working up'. ;)
 
What the guys are telling you is that although your load appears safe on paper, no one knows until you shoot it. That's why we always begin at the "starting load" (the lowest load listed) and work up. For this bullet and powder that would be 4.2gr.

You may find that your best load in this gun is 4.4 or 4.6gr. I don't know this and you don't know this. No one will know this until you do the incremental loads. By starting in the middle of the load range you bypass some of the safety measures and possibly the accuracy load for this gun/bullet combination.

Winchester powders are distributed by Hodgdon. All you have to do is go to the Hodgdon on-line data center and look this up. Then load 5-8 rounds at each increment of 4.2, 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, 5.0 and 5.2gr. Start shooting at 4.2 and see how they perform. If you bench rest at new targets then you can also find the most accurate load. The best load will then jump right out at you, and best of all you will have arrived at that knowledge safely.

If you're going to go through the trouble to reload, why then wouldn't you want to have the best load for your gun? It really takes no more time than a junk load.

Hope this helps.
 
I appreciate the sound advise. I will do just that, start low and work up. Thanks a million.
 
This is exactly right.
But my experiance in .45 ACP over the last 50 years or so has always been if you want the best load, a Mil-Spec duplicate 230 FMJ-RN load IS the best load.

After you master that, is the time to fool around with other stuff.

If a gun won't work with a 230 FMJ-RN at 830 FPS crimped at .469" - 471"?

It won't work with anything else either!

Still, for a new reloader, Start at the Start load, and work up, as always.

You know I always do that! :D

rc
 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

OMG this.

RC rings the truth bell with a friggin 8lb sledge sometimes- this is one of 'em.

I have completely abandoned everything else in favor of the 230 RN- I have too many 45's to feed of late to try and mess around with much else.

I started there- wandered far afield, and ended up right back at home.

Mastering this load till you can load it by feel alone is akin to learning how to drive nails with a hammer to a carpenter......... Not hit them repeatedly on the head.... drive them so you can move on to other things..... It really is.

Good pictures of a sample of primer seating, taper crimp application, and plunk testing would be very helpful in diagnosing problems before you have them,,,,,,
 
As several have stated, shoot the few that you have loaded. Adjust your crimp to .469 to .471 for future loads and adjust powder charge based on how the initial loads that you have perform.
 
Your load is used by many people. It will work just fine, although the crimp may be a hair tight. You need to remove the bell, or a hair more. I adjust the crimp so that the shortest cases get the bell removed and the longer ones get a hair more.

I shoot for 1.260 to 1.265 OAL with a 230 Gr RN. As long as they in in that range, I am happy.

Here is one of mine.

attachment.php
 
good info...I have to seat my rounds to 1.23 or less for them to cycle properly in my XD-s. Any longer and they hang up when your manually cycle the rounds through..
 
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