OAL Variance?

[WNC Seabee]

I'm a new reloader using a Loadmaster for .45 ACP. My question has to do with OAL variances that I'm seeing. Using WWB brass and 185gr HBRN, I'm shooting for an OAL of 1.255". Over 5.1 gr of Titegroup if that matters.

I'm checking ~10th finished round with calipers and am seeing a variance from 1.254 to 1.260 in OAL.

So 2 questions. 1) Is that type of variance normal? and 2) How do I prevent it?

Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

185gr HBRN

I assume these are cast or swaged lead? (Don't know of any 185 grain jacketed HBRN bullets.)

Could be bullet lube packed in the seating die.

Could be not enough case mouth bell for easy seating.

Could be the seating die stem does not match the bullet profile.

Could be you are seating & crimping in one step and the bullets are getting pinched differently due to case length variations.

rcmodel

 

[Bronson7]

WNC, .006" is not out of the norm. If you're loading RNs, olgive variances will give you some variance in oal. I also load on a Load Master. Oals will also vary a bit untill you get all five cases in the shell plate, evenly loading up the shellplate/turret. Your OK. Nothing to worry about. With variations in the bullet olgives the oals will vary some but the insertion depths will be the same (providing the bullets are of the same length). A good way to predict oal variance if you want to take the time, is to remove your bullet seating punch, pick about ten or twenty bullets (make sure they are of the same length) then set the punch on the bullet and measure the overall length. The differences will give you a good indication of what to expect of cartriges comming off the press. I've done this, and it works. But again, you are OK. Hope that helps.
Bronson7

 

[Jim Watson]

Berry's plated bullets, right?

1. Normal for that application.

2a. Buy better bullets.

2b. Fit the seating plug to the bullet nose by cutting metal or molding with epoxy.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Yup, Berry's plated bullets. $50/500 at my local shop. No good?

I'm not expecting much from my 1st few thousand reloads other than learning the process. Well, other than keeping all my fingers attached. So if they aren't the best bet I'm okay with that for now.

bronson...I hadn't thought of needing a full shell plate to balance everything out. I've been putting 1 or 2 shells on the plate at a time and watching each step while I get the process down.

thanks for the replies!