reloading for a Range Officer

[tt5]

I picked up a Springfield Range Officer in 45 ACP yesterday. I ran 100 through it today to start break-in and begin accumulating brass.

Before I start buying components, I have a question for those of you familiar with feeding a range officer. Does the range officer family have a short leade between the chamber and start of the rifling? I'll develop the length with plunk tests, but would like to know what to expect.

I reload for my CZ75 9mm, which has a short leade. I have to use a fairly short COL to keep my LSWC's out of the rifling. I use Missouri Bullet Co 9mm LSWC's for the CZ and am thinking about using their 200 grain LSWC in 45 for the range officer.

Any other advice on feeding the RO?

 

[kwg020]

I use the 200 LSWC in my .45 in my sons Springfield. I load 5 grains of Red Dot or American select and have very good results with dependability. I cannot tell you how accurate they were/are as I never got that serious about it. I can only tell you with that load it's a dependable shooter in a Colt, Springfield and Rock Island.

kwg

 

[Laphroaig]

My Range Officer does have a shorter leade than some other 1911's. My last batch of 185 LSWC's were loaded to 1.255". My MBC 200 LSWC's are 1.245" The key is the amount of bullet shoulder protruding from the case. A good rule of thumb is no more than about a fingernail thickness.

Laphroaig

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Reguardless of lead you might want to get a RN profile as a backup. Some 1911's don't feed a SWC very well and some eat anything. Better safe than sorry.

Also you can make a dummy round like finding the lands on a rifle round. That will give max OAL just like a plunk test with a bullet that will move ( slight neck tension and back off ten thousandths. Then make sure they still feed in the magazine. ( don't forget that...lol).



Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[tt5]

Thanks.

Yesterday I established that the pistol tolerates Winchester white box FMJ just fine.

I'll have to add a few sample packs to my next MBC order.
Maybe I'll order some Berry's too.

And I have to get a shell plate, dies, ammunition boxes, large pistol primers, a lot of brass, etc.

Looks like I might have to spend some time at the range figuring out what the range officer likes. Darn.

 

[slickracer]

My RO runs nice with a Dardas 180 SWC with 4.5 Titegroup of a 200 SWC with 4.0 Red Dot or Clays. OAL is 1.250" for both bullets.

 

[Kingcreek]

They are usually pretty good right out of the box but if its finicky about LSWC reloads you can polish the feed ramp. I've loaded thousands of 200gr LSWC on Win 231 or bullseye (a little dirtier but sometimes cheaper and easier to find)

 

[ericuda]

Don't forget to add some of the "original" 230 grain bullets. MBC for lead or coated?? and throw in some xtreme plated 230's to try.

 

[KTS]

I've had no feeding issues with 185gr or 200gr LSWCs in my RO. The only issue I have experienced is rounds not chambering properly if the bullets aren't crimped tight enough. The slide will not cycle all the way forward unless I have a fairly tight crimp on the bullet. I know a couple other people with Springfield Loaded models with the exact same issue.

200 grain Missouri Bullet LSWC with 5.0 grains Bullseye gave me about 1.25" 5 shot groups at 25yds. Not bad for as cheap as they are to reload!

 

[Bula]

As mentioned above, the thumb nail portion of the exposed front band is a good place to start. Plunk test is your friend. There is a diagram out on the interweb that shows where the case should sit relative to the barrel hood.

 

[tt5]

again, thanks.