Another .45 acp reloading ? from the newbie.....

[mrvmax]

Alright, loaded my first 30 rounds of .45 acp today. I ended up using the 230 grain round nose lead bullet from Friendswood Bullet Co. (since T's in Texas City had them in stock). I used Bullseye (4.5 grains) and loaded it according to my old Speer manual. I checked each piece of brass to ensure they were not too long (none were over .898). They were varying lengths and I did not trim them so they were equal (maybe I should next time). It took some time figuring out how to seat and then taper crimp. I thought I had it all down, .469 at case mouth, for O.A.L. I used what my PMC target ammo was (1.25) and what was listed in the Speer #12 manual (yes, I know it's old). These numbers are exactly what my PMC targate 230 grain ammo was (except the PMC was not lead). I dropped the first two into my .45 barrel to see how they fit, they were even with the lip on the barrel. So, I loaded the rest. When I was done I checked the rest in the barrel and they protruded past the lip. I adjusted the die so it would seat the bullets deeper shortening my O.A.L. to 1.24, still would not fit, dropped one to 1.23 and still no go, they all stuck out slightly farther than the lip. I drove to PSC and all fired and cycled fine expect 2. So, what is my problem? Why will they not fit the barrel right? The taper crimps were all at .469. It's all new to me so I'm not sure what to do. Any advice? I have another 150 rounds of brass I can load, but I'm not sure what I need to do different.

[mrvmax]

BTW, is it best to use 4 dies, having one for seating and one for taper crimping? I am using the RCBS 3 die set with a RC press. I'm thinking about buying the Lyman taper crimp die and seating with the RCBS and crimping with the Lyman.

[LJM]

I don't know if it is your problem or not, but mine has been similar. I have traced it back to the taper crimp, lead bullet combination. As the bullet is seated the taper crimp happens and the lead bullet expands slightly making the bullet hang in the throat of the chamber. I think you are on the right track seating then crimping. I hope this helps.

[BobCat]

Seating and crimping in two steps might help; many people do it that way.

This might be controversial, but the Lee "Factory Crimp die" has a carbide ring that kind of re-resizes the case head, in addition to an easily-adjustable taper crimp ring. I use it on 9 mm and .45 ACP and have been very happy. Some people disparage the idea of re-resizing a loaded round, others recommend the die. If you seat with the seating die you have and crimp in the Lee die, I think your rounds will all chamber.

Regards,
Andrew

[MoJo]

Get the Lee Factory Crimp Die it smooths out many tiny imperfections.

[mrvmax]

Seating and crimping in two steps might help; many people do it that way.

This might be controversial, but the Lee "Factory Crimp die" has a carbide ring that kind of re-resizes the case head, in addition to an easily-adjustable taper crimp ring. I use it on 9 mm and .45 ACP and have been very happy. Some people disparage the idea of re-resizing a loaded round, others recommend the die. If you seat with the seating die you have and crimp in the Lee die, I think your rounds will all chamber.

Regards,
Andrew

Are you referring to the Lee Carbide sizing die? It's the only separate die I see listed on their website for the .45 ACP. Some other places on the net were suggesting the Lyman taper crimp die.
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog ... 2.61=90532" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mrvmax]

Nevermind, I found the one you were talking about:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog ... crimp.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[O6nop]

Nevermind, I found the one you were talking about:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog ... crimp.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Same products, different site and better prices.... LINK

[mrvmax]

Nevermind, I found the one you were talking about:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog ... crimp.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Same products, different site and better prices.... LINK

Thanks for the link, that is even less than I can buy wholesale. I'm going to give it a try. I have 150 pieces of brass cleaned, de-primed and sized. When the Lee die comes in I will finish up and see how it turns out.