Newbie .45 ACP questions

[ddjones]

First, let me say that after a twelve-year absence from reloading I’m thrilled at finding this website. It has a wealth of information that is helping me teach myself how to reload .45 ACP again. However, I would appreciate some advice from the veterans here.

I’ve attached a couple of photos for your review.

From left to right:
#1: 230 FMJ
#2: Case with the smallest bell that would accept the bullet.
#3: Bullet in case with no crimp
#4: Case with the least amount of crimp I could make-work measuring at .4721

A few Notes:

I’m using a 1992 Dillon Square Deal “B”

I was at the Gun Show this past weekend and forgot to check who made the bullets. I don’t think it was any brand name.

The bullet in the case with no crimp will not move (or press in) when I test it. I don’t know if this is good or bad. I read someplace that a bullet should be tested by pressing it against a wall with thumb pressure only. When I had more bell the bullet would easily slide into the case.

I have my crimp die set backed out to the max and I’m getting .4721 measurement at the crimp area. The bullet will drop into the barrel smoothly when chamber through the magazine.

I’m using Hodgons HP-30 [edit: HP-38] with 4.3 gr for starts.

Bullet OAL is 1.238 (This is a little confusing to me.) I split the difference from the SAAMI diagram I have that shows a range of 1.225 – 1.275 for OAL with a 230 bullet. If I understand this correctly, the deeper a bullet is set in the case the more pressure it will generate.

Brass is old Remington that has been reloaded a couple of time.

Gun: Glock 21. Back in the early ’90 and before the Internet I reloaded about 3,000 rounds for this gun using lead and jacketed. Yes, I have read tons of pros/cons on using Glock-fired brass so I don’t want to open that can of worms here.

As I stated before I would appreciate any advice if you see any errors.

Thanks

 

[Walkalong]

A bit more bell than needed for jacketed bullets, but otherwise looks really good. 1.238 is short for 230 Gr FMJ. 1.265 is what I load them too.

Welcome to THR

 

[rfwobbly]

Welcome aboard Mr Jones !!

 

[Steve C]

Pull your barrel and drop one of your loads into the chamber to see if it chambers properly. Use a factory round to compare. If your OAL is too long for your particular bullet it may engage the rifling before fully chambering which will stop the slide from completely closing resulting in a failure to fire.

I usually seat the bullet so the case mouth is prerhaps a finger nail thickness from the bullet shoulder where it begins to taper. This has always provided the best feed and function for me in various .45's I own. For the most part the calipers are not needed and OAL measurement means nothing if the round doesn't work. Usually the OAL in the manuals are simply maximum SAAMI standard and few manufactures load that long.

 

[GLOOB]

I agree, that's more bell than you need for a jacketed bullet. I went through various stages of bell when I started, and now I have a pile of "over belled" brass that I want to burn through so I can start making "better" ammo.

The bullet in the case with no crimp will not move (or press in) when I test it. I don’t know if this is good or bad.

This is good. The "crimp" isn't what holds the bullet. Neck tension is what holds the bullet in. Neck tension plus the sized brass behind the base of the bullet are what prevent setback. Try this experiment. If you try pulling some bullets you'll find an uncrimped bullet and a proper crimped bullet are about the same. But an overcrimped bullet will come out really easy. So take it easy on the crimp. 0.470-0.472" is the goal.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I also agree that's more crimp than you need or want. You will shorten the brass life that way.

Also, the crimp is needed to remove the bell because the round might not fit in your barrel unless you remove the bell.

Welcome to the forum and welcome back to reloading...

 

[ljnowell]

Definately think you have too much bell on your case there. Congrats on getting back into realoading, and be sure to come back and post often. This is the best forum on the net for straight info without BS and rumor. Lots of experience floating around and as you gain more you should come back and share it, we can all learn something new.

 

[243winxb]

I’m using Hodgons HP-30 with 4.3 gr for starts.

If you mean Hodgdon® Powder HP-38, all looks good to me. You said the loaded rounds chamber OK. Now if they feed and eject, your all set. Great photos by the way.

 

[ddjones]

Thanks!!

Thanks to everybody for the information. I reduced the bell down to almost nothing and the bullet slipped in fine. I also back off the crimp die.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks to everybody for the information. I reduced the bell down to almost nothing and the bullet slipped in fine. I also back off the crimp die.

Great! That will make for an easier reload and lengthen the brass life considerable.