What am I looking at here?

[JohnB-40]

This is my first attempt at 45ACP reloading. Using Hornady data,I made up 14 rounds of Hornady 185gr XTP over 5.4 gr of Bullseye with a COL of 1.213" and 14 of Hornady 230 gr FMJ-RN over 5.8 gr of Unique,COL of 1.230" as a starting point. All fed and fired OK,but when I picked up the brass ,both lots of cases looked like this......

I've reloaded quite a few 357/38 and necked rifle cartridges,but never run across this before. What am I doing wrong? Comments appreciated.

 

[bersaguy]

I'd have to check the load data for those powders, but it looks like the charges may have been on the light side. The brass doesn't seal the walls of the chamber and there was some hot gasses leaking around the outside of the brass case. I get the same looking cases with mid and low charge weights using Titegroup. Actually, only max loads with Titegroup eject clean brass

 

[kmw1954]

have to agree with bersaguy, light loadings.

 

[AJC1]

Light loads or dirty gun preventing a good seal.

 

[Virginia Jim]

That’ll clean right up.

 

[ballman6711]

My light to mid range 45acp cases look like that too. And yes, they will clean up.

chris

 

[nettlle]

Light loads. I like light loads for range practice. And although I have absolutely no scientific data to prove this I think my brass life is extended with light loads.

 

[FROGO207]

My theory on light loads being that the brass is closer to you when ejected it is easier to find. That means less lost brass and your pile O brass lasts longer.
I agree the OP needs to bump up the charge to seal the brass and stop the powder burns.

 

[JohnB-40]

Thank you for your input guys. I get a bit of case soot on my light 357 reloads,but this seemed radical as I've never seen it with my Commander before. I fired some Winchester Service Grade ball afterwards and the casings looked normal. For some reason the SG ball is really accurate in that pistol and I'm hoping to get near that round using Hornady's 230 gr fmj-rn. I'll bump the loads a bit and try again. I also have HP-38 which I want to try. The more I read the differing data, the more unsure I become. With what is going on these days with the supply chain,I want to be able to supply my own 45 rounds. I don't want to damage that old Commander,I bought it new 26 years ago.

 

[entropy]

For the 185 gr., I'll agree, 5.4 gr. Bullseye is a bit light. So is the 5.8 of Unique. For your 230 FMJ loads, 5.0 of Bullseye is the classic load, and replicates GI Ball. Load them to 1.22" OAL.

 

[ballman6711]

I run a 230gr Hornady HAP through my 3" Kimber using W231 (supposed to be the same as HP-38) at 4.7 grains. Nice mild load that me and the gf can shoot all day. It does leave the gun a bit dirty, and the brass looks like your photos but it's fun to shoot and cycles my gun very well. Reasonably accurate too. It's been a while since I've shot them but my brass was cleaner with higher charges.

I have some Hornady 230gr fmj-rn (maybe 700 or so) that I should load up and try. Bought them when I started loading and was using Longshot and could never get any accuracy. Haven't tried them with W231 so I can't say how they shoot.

chris

 

[buck460XVR]

Sooty cases is common on low pressure rounds like .45ACP. It's even more common after a few firings and the cases become work hardened.