Yet another newbie looking for help

[Papakeith]

Hi, I am a newbie reloader who is just about all set up to start making my first batch of ammo.
Before I started in, I wanted to ask some questions about my bullet choice, and bullet seating. .. .and well basically about loading in general.

What I’ve got:

Bullet
Speer Match Bullets 45 Caliber
185 Grain TMJ SWC
dimentions:
length:.585
Height from base to shoulder .260
Diameter: 451 Diameter

COL
1.195
Primers
Winchester Large Pistol
powder
Hodgdon Titegroup ???gr.

Here’s some of the load data that I’ve found on websites and my lyman manual.

Hodgdon website data:

Bullet:
185 gr Hdy JSWC
COL:
1.195
Primer:
Federal 150
Powder:
Titegroup 5.5 gr. Vel. 956 CUP 17,400

Lyman handbook:

Bullet:
Rem swc fmj
COL:
1.135
Primer:
Rem 2.5 CCI 300
Powder:Start 3.4gr max 5.0 vel 967 CUP 17800
I’m quoting the 700x powder because it is listed as the next fastest power according to the burn rate chart. I figured if I keep the power level the same or lower than what was listed(since titegroup is slower burning) I should be OK. I think.


The bullet was chosen because it was what was available locally. My biggest question is in regard to OAL, and how deep I should set the bullet. With a SWC bullet should I set the bullet so the shoulder of the bullet is just above / even with, or just below the casemouth? The COL given in the Lyman manual places this bullet shoulder below the casemouth.
I don’t have exact data on the speer bullet I picked up. I have nobody to blame but myself on that one. I suppose I’ll be buying the speer reloading manual too. Can’t hurt to have another manual available anyway.
Any advise you can offer would be appreciated.

Keith

 

[tc300mag1]

My experance with Swc in 45's Im guessing its a 45acp if not disregard. Is that you have to play with the oal to find what you pistol will feed reliably what works in my 1911 wont in my hk or Ruger 45's and vice versa. Only other thing i can say is check out speers website and see if you can find the info you need.


Speer

 

[Papakeith]

sorry, about that. Yes, this is for .45 ACP

I looked for info on the speer site, but could only find information about purchasing thier reloading manual. Thanks for the link though.

 

[caz223]

A quick check at my speer book #12 shows only one 185 grain TMJ wadcutter, (Part# 4473), the loads listed are for target shooting, velocities listed are between 700-800 FPS.
Anyway, they show the COL at 1.275", but I don't see any titegroup data listed....
Anyway, I wouldn't make substitutions with powders, they each have their own characteristics, and differ in much more than volume and burning rate...
Everybody needs at least two or three good load books, I like hornady's, speer's, and hodgdon's.

 

[Papakeith]

Thanks Caz,

OK, so If I measure the bullet .585, and add that to the case length .889 I get 1.474. subtract that OAL of 1.275 and you get .199. The shoulder area(not sure if the nomenclature I'm using is correct) is .260 in height, and subtract .199 seating depth that leaves me with .061 of the bullet shoulder standing proud of the casemouth.

Does this sound right?
Am I overthinking this?

So far I have Lymanns reloading handbook, and hodgdon's. Speer is next on the list, with more to follow I'm sure.

 

[tc300mag1]

I like the Lee loading manual also they seem to have more laods with different powders

 

[caz223]

Just make a dummy round with no powder and primer, not crimping it at all.
Measure the OAL with a calipers, and adjust your seater plug until the OAL is correct.
Then adjust your crimp to the desired amount. (If doing it in the same step.) Very light seems to be recommended....
Congrats, you have just set up your seater/crimp die, and just generated a 'check' round.
Leave it on your bench.
Check the OAL on the first few rounds you generate, after that, just compare the dummy round with the right OAL with your completed round by setting it on the bench and eyeballing it.
If it doesn't look exactly right, check it with the calipers.
As for the OAL, it sounds right to me....
I'd start at about 4.5-5.0 grains of titegroup, unless otherwise directed....
Make 10 rounds, see if it cycles the slide on your gun, and it doesn't jam.

 

[Papakeith]

Last night I sat back down at the bench and made a bunch of dummy rounds until I got it at 1.275 with a .472 crimp. They fit fine in a Max case guage. However If I put them in a magazine and tried to have them feed, my gun didn't like them at all.
I adjusted the die for a 1.270 OAL, and what do you know, they fed like champs when I cycled the slide.
I loaded up 10 rounds at that length with 4.5 gr. of titegroup.
Here's hoping!
Thanks caz

 

[kimbernut]

Congrats, Keith, you are on your way. Experimentation is half the fun. What works,what doesn't and that may or may not change with each different firearm for which you load. Just be careful . As in shooting and any gun handling- Safety First- Always!!!