Seating depth for Hornady 45 ACP 185 gr. XTP

[VHDan]

I'm loading Hornady's 185 gr. XTP for my .45 ACP. The COL for a 180 gr. LFP (lead flat point) is listed as 1.140 and a 185 gr. Hornady JSWC (jacketed semi-wad cutter) is 1.135. the COL for all other weights and designs is 1.20+.

Does anyone know why the 180 and 185 grain bullets call for a COL so short?

New user to this sight, looks like a lot of great people and information here.

Thanks for any insight into this.

Dan

 

[SQLGeek]

The COL/OAL is based on the bullet profile.

Notice that the 180 gr and 185 gr XTP projectiles are cut off and flat.

The 230 gr bullet is round nosed so it protrudes more, leading to the longer COL/OAL.

 

[Texas10mm]

180/185 gr bullets are shorter. It's almost that simple.

 

[PO2Hammer]

The JSWC is a 'button nose' bullet, always loaded shorter.
In my Hornady data they use an OAL of 1.213" for the XTP, which has a much longer nose and much less bearing surface.
If you loaded the XTP to 1.135", the nose would be inside the case.

Just for grins, anyone seen any 185 JSWC's for sale? (pipe dream, I know)

 

[VHDan]

Thanks to all for the responses. That answers my question. I guess I need to get a Hornady reloading manual.

VHDan

 

[rg1]

Hornady 9th Edition lists the tested overall length of 45 ACP with Hornady 185 gr. XTP's at 1.213". Lyman's 50th Edition lists an oal at 1.225" for the 185 XTP. Modern Reloading 2nd Edition lists oal's from 1.200" out to 1.230" for 185 XTP's. Strangely Hornady's 10th Edition manual lists an oal as tested at 1.245" which I believe may be an error and is extremely long for the 185 XTP??? I believe you'll find 1.213 out to a max of 1.230" will work well. Just do a plunk test to make sure they chamber correctly and feed in your pistol.

 

[VHDan]

I have about 200 rounds to pull! I have to use the “beat and pound” method as the bullet puller can’t grab the bullet, as they’re seated 1.131.

Thanks again for all the information.

Dan

 

[ballman6711]

Just for grins, anyone seen any 185 JSWC's for sale? (pipe dream, I know)

I stocked up on Speer 185 tmj's (thick plated) when Graf's had them not long ago. They seem to show up for a few days and then gone again.

chris

 

[mdi]

I've found it extremely useful (and wiser) to go to my Hornady manual for any/all load data when I reload Hornady bullets...