Loading 45 acp cast lead bullets for the first time... questions

[Lone_Gunman]

I am new to reloading, having loaded now about 1000 rounds of 45 ACP cartridges using 230g jacketed bullets only.

I bought some Oregon Trail 45 ACP 200 g LRN bullets. These bullets actually have a slight shoulder, and are not just a plain RN shape.

I loaded some for the first time today. I have loaded them to an OAL of 1.260 inches, and a small amount of the shoulder is not seated in the brass cartridge. I would say this is maybe only 1 mm or so of the shoulder that is sticking out of the case mouth.

Is that going to be OK? The rounds seemed to fully chamber in a 1911 without problem. These rounds will still headspace properly on the case mouth, and not on this little bit of shoulder sticking out, right?

Also, there was a little bit of lube that was extruded when I seated the bullets. This would wipe off ok, but that really slows down the process. Is this normal?

Finally, should I crimp these bullets just like the FMJ's I have been loading?
I am using a medium crimp with the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

 

[HSMITH]

The little bit of shoulder isn't a big deal.

Try belling the cases a little more, the lube smearing is usually not enough bell.

Crimp case mouth down to .471", no less as it won't help at all.

Watch that the FCD isn't swaging the bullets down in the cases. Pull a couple that you have loaded and if they don't measure .451" minimum stop using the FCD. If they are smaller than that they will lead the barrel terribly in the best case, worst case they will be prone to set back in the case and could cause big pressure spikes.

 

[Stinger]

Lone_Gunman,

I am by no means an expert, but have loaded a fair number of cast 45acp.

First off, I would recommend getting a hold of the Oregon Trail loading manual. I need to do that myself, as I load tons of their bullets, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I think that would be a wise investment.

As to the oal, I would imagine they would be fine, but I would recommend shooting a few to make sure they function properly before going into mass production.

Lube on the case is probably a byproduct of not flaring/expanding enough. To me, this is the most tricky part of loading the 45acp, as too little will nick bullets/smear lube, but too much will be difficult to chamber, even using an FCD or similar die. Lube on the case means lube on the die (and I hate cleaning dies when I would rather be loading.)

Best of luck,

Stinger

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I am using Lee Dies, and I am not sure how to adjust the flare on the case mouth. Is this adjustable??

When I was loading FMJs, I just used the expanding die as it came from the factory. How do I make it flare the case more?

 

[Bula]

Loosen the lock ring on the powder thru die and seat it down about an eighth to a quarter turn, retighten the lock ring and you should be good to go.

 

[lee n. field]

I loaded some for the first time today. I have loaded them to an OAL of 1.260 inches, and a small amount of the shoulder is not seated in the brass cartridge. I would say this is maybe only 1 mm or so of the shoulder that is sticking out of the case mouth.

The rounds seemed to fully chamber in a 1911 without problem.

If you take the barrel out of the gun, and drop one of your rounds into the chamber, they fully seat in the chamber, without force? If they seat that way, should be no problem.

I loaded up a box of .45 once, with the bullets not quite seated far enough. The lead was high enough to actually engage the rifling. My Ruger seemed to handle them OK, mostly, but my brother's Springfield did not like them at all.

 

[Sunray]

I've never load anything but cast bullets. I find 230 grain RN's or flat points work best. The flat points feed a bit better though. Taper crimp only and you'll be fine. 1mm of shoulder won't bother the headspace. You're fine. Especially as they feed ok.

 

[Dave R]

I use that exact bullet with my .45acp. I have about 1mm of shoulder showing, just like you. And I get a bit of lube on the shoulder now and then, so we must be doing about the same thing. (I like to bell my cases as little as necessary to seat the bullet.)

 

[moredes]

If these are your first lead reloads, they might be the first lead bullets you've shot, too. If so, you might get some leading in the barrel, and if that's the case, the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to clean the barrel is to use a copper scouring pad. It's rare when a "product" rings the bell as the fastest, cheapest and easiest, but at $2, I have enough to last 3 years, it takes 30 seconds to clean a badly leaded barrel, and no chemicals were used. I detailed the process here if you need it:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=149525&highlight=copper+scouring