Question regarding .45 acp load and crimp

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mtk469

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Apr 26, 2008
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Okay all, need a little help or some suggestions. I am have been rolading for a while but am just getting into reloading .45acp. I went through my books and figured up a starting load to test out.
The details:
.45 acp
230 grain LRN from mastercast
4.0 grains of Red Dot powder
Winchester Large pistol
O.A.L of 1.200
Lee Factory crimp die.

I am shooting them out of a Springfeild Armory Loaded micro compact 3" 1911

The issues:

The load shoots fine but about every 2 or 3 they don't seem to want to feed in my gun. Almost as if they are binding up or are to long. According to a couple of manuals it says not the have the O.A.L any less then 1.190 and looking at a couple of factory winchester white box loads they are around 1.215 do it leads me to think that it is an issue with crimp or lack there of. Any suggestions on what to try? I looked at a lee taper crimp die but according to there website it is pretty much the same as what I aleady have with the factory crimp die. Is this correct?

Hopefully someone will have a good thought and it will be simple!!
Thanks,
Matt
 
The regular crimp die is the same except for the post sizing ring. Perhaps you don't have your FCD die adjusted quite right. They make a perfectly fine taper crimp if adjusted properly.

1.200 is kind of short for a 230 Gr RN. Try 1.260 and see if they feed any better.
 
They don't want to "feed" or "they don't chamber" ?

IMHO, a 230gr RN should feed really well. That round nose just loves to climb that ramp.

An undersized crimp will effect the chambering. The round should fall all the way into your dis-assembled barrel under only its own weight. A cartridge gauge is very handy to check this.
 
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It should not have to "climb" the ramp, just maybe glance off of it. I think they are just too short. Give it a try.

And yes, RN should feed 100% period, end of discussion. :)
 
A round that is too short can cause feeding problems, but so can one that hasn't had all the case mouth flare removed. Do what Walkalong suggested and that should help to solve your problem.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
It is more or doesn't chamber than a doesn't feed problem. I will try a load a little longer and also check my crimp die to make sure that it is working property.
Thanks to all that replied. Anyone else have any thoughts?
Matt
 
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