Quick 45acp head space ?

[gahunter12]

Hello. I am working up some new 45acp loads. Rem/UMC brass, X-Treme plated 230gr RN. My head spaces are flush or very slightly below flush. Am I ok with the heads flush with my barrel hood? Even with no bullet, just the case ran thru the crimp die they still head space the same. My crimp is .470 with .452 bullets and .009 case thickness. They all pass the plunk test with flying colors. Thanks!!

 

[rcmodel]

The .45 ACP headspaces off the case mouth.

Empty sized cases should be exactly as you say, either flush or very slightly less then flush with the end of the barrel hood.
As long as they don't project out past the barrel hood you are good.

Then, with bullets seated, too long OAL will prevent the round from headspacing on the case mouth because the bullet will hit the rifling leade before the case makes contact with the headspace shoulder in the chamber. They may even get stuck when the slide slams then in past the rifling leade.

If they "plunk" in, and drop out, you should be good to go.

rc

 

[gahunter12]

Thanks RC! I was pretty sure I was ok, but just wanted to double check.

 

[LiveLife]

Walkalong has an excellent thread to illustrate this (I don't know why this thread is not a sticky yet ) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506678

This pic is often used to help explain correct headspacing and how O.A.L. can affect chambering and headspace.