Loooong 45ACP loads (for revolver)

[ExMachina]

What are everyones experiences using 45ACP dies to seat longer loads?

I have a bunch of 250 grain plated bullets (.452") and I'd like to shoot them through my 45acp revolver.

For my 1911, I've been loading 200 grain SWC to an OAL of 1.265" (manual recommends 1.275" but these will not fit in the magazine b/c of the bullet geometry).

bullet lengths are:
250gr-0.650"
200gr-0.585"

So--for revolver use--what I'd like to do is load my 45ACP brass with the longer bullets to an OAL of at least 1.34". My concern is, since this is so much longer than standard 45ACP loadings, that the taper crimp will not be complete enough to keep the slugs in place during shooting.

Anybody have any experience here?

Thanks

 

[ExMachina]

Hmmmmm...kind of quite...

Nobody's tried this I guess?

Wouldn't be the first time I end up being the guinea pig. I'll report back.

 

[cougar1717]

Since this is 45 auto in a revolver, you do not have to be concerned with length considerations causing a jam as long as there is sufficient room for the cylinder to turn. I think it would be rather rare (but possible, depending on the length of the cylinder) to have loads that are hot enough and long enough that they grow and tie up a revolver. Speer #12 in the 45 auto rim section (IIRC) speaks to the fact that a slight roll crimp is appropriate for 45 auto if fired in a revolver.

 

[ExMachina]

thanks courgar.

roll crimp would be ideal but i'm using plated bullets with no cannelure, so i cannot roll crimp without destroying the plating.

 

[Walkalong]

Neck tension holds the bullets, not the crimp. The normal .45 ACP taper crimp does little to no "holding" of the bullet. You could of course taper crimp a bit heavier using moon clips to headspace with.

Some people do roll crimp .45 ACP for revolvers, and that does help hold the bullet. You can roll crimp over the front edge of the bullet since there is no cannelure, but that would be shorter than you want.

Any reason you want to load them long? Wanting to get more case capacity to hold more powder to get more velocity? Line them up in the throats?

Anyway. Good neck tension is the place to start.

 

[ExMachina]

Thanks Walkalong. I want to load them long to both maximize case capacity--mostly to keep pressures down while I work up the powder charge--and to get the bullets as far forward in the cylinder as possible.

I also thought it would be a good trick to keep the rounds from finding their way into my 1911 magazines.

Just need to experiment with my die to see how much of a taper crimp I can get with this kind of OAL.

 

[rcmodel]

Be aware that the pressure limits for S&W & Colt .45 ACP revolvers are about the same as they are for .45 ACP auto-pistols.

Even the newer 25 & 625 N-Frame S&W's are not as strong as the same gun in .44 Magnum due to the larger holes in the cylinder getting awfully close to the locking bolt cuts in the chamber walls.

If you have a Ruger Blackhawk Convertable you could push the pressure beyond +P .45 ACP limits.
But rather then do that, just use the .45 Colt cylinder with "Ruger only" load data.

rc

 

[Clark]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

The most power I can get from an S&W 25-2 6" barrel 45acp revolver is with 300 gr cast bullet 17 gr LIL'GUN 1.555". It penetrates 6" of Douglas Fir. But I can only shoot it single shot. If there is any other unfired ammo in other chambers, the huge recoil will pull the bullets out. There is no way with the equipment I had to get a roll crimp at that length.

I suppose I could cut down a 45 Colt die in length or take some 7/8-14 threaded rod [which I have lots of] and make a roll crimp die for the 45acp. But I have not done that, so the most powerful load I came up with for my 45acp revolver is...

Montana Gold 230 gr FMJ 1.4" 24 gr H110 45auto rim brass Lee factory crimp
Quickload says is 28 kpsi 1326 fps


I also have an S&W 29-4 44 mag 6" barrel that I shoot with 24 gr H110 240 gr JHP.


The two N frame Smiths are both 6" and one shooting 240 gr and the other shooting 230 gr, they have the exact same recoil.