45 ACP crimp
Quote from Reloader on September 19, 2015, 9:58 pmSo I have a pretty good crimp on my 45 ACP dies (so much so it pops a tad when cycling the press). I run at about 80% of max charge but despite that when I pratice or run function checks with my reloads I notice the projectile gets pushed down inside the cartridge a little at a time. So much so that after the 1st or 2nd time of running the same round through the feeding/ejection cycle it's unusable. Factory ammo doesn't suffer that problem, is that just something specific to reloads not having that factory crimp, or do I need to try and crimp it more?
So I have a pretty good crimp on my 45 ACP dies (so much so it pops a tad when cycling the press). I run at about 80% of max charge but despite that when I pratice or run function checks with my reloads I notice the projectile gets pushed down inside the cartridge a little at a time. So much so that after the 1st or 2nd time of running the same round through the feeding/ejection cycle it's unusable. Factory ammo doesn't suffer that problem, is that just something specific to reloads not having that factory crimp, or do I need to try and crimp it more?
Quote from Reloader on September 19, 2015, 11:02 pmWe need more information to debug. Who's bullet are you using? Have you checked the diameter of the bullet? Are you full length resizing the case at station one?
Some potential solutions:
1) Make sure you are fully resizing the case. Case gauge after station one. A partly resized case could allow for a bullet to slide around in the case and after even one sliding into the barrel chamber slide forward (VERY DANGEROUS). Even with a good roll crimp, this can happen.
2) the bullets you are using are not 45 ACP diameter. Check the reloading recipe to make sure you have the correct bullets. Some lead bullets when lubed might get sized to narrow.Please post pictures of 1) at exit of reloader, 2) after the 1st time function checked in firearm, 3) second time ... (until you see it is unsafe).
We need more information to debug. Who's bullet are you using? Have you checked the diameter of the bullet? Are you full length resizing the case at station one?
Some potential solutions:
1) Make sure you are fully resizing the case. Case gauge after station one. A partly resized case could allow for a bullet to slide around in the case and after even one sliding into the barrel chamber slide forward (VERY DANGEROUS). Even with a good roll crimp, this can happen.
2) the bullets you are using are not 45 ACP diameter. Check the reloading recipe to make sure you have the correct bullets. Some lead bullets when lubed might get sized to narrow.
Please post pictures of 1) at exit of reloader, 2) after the 1st time function checked in firearm, 3) second time ... (until you see it is unsafe).
Quote from Reloader on September 20, 2015, 1:26 amBullet is X-Treme Ammunition 45 ACP projectile at 230gr and a diameter of .452.
I've done random measuring of their bullets using my digital caliper and their to spec.Yes, Station one goes down to the base above the rim.
I've ran checks using my case gauge and they always check out. I've checked the crimp on the bullets afterwards by squeezing them in my fingers (I weight lift so I have a 300b grip) and it doesn't budge. A loose crimp was always my first concern so I run a moderate crimp on all my reloads.
I've inspected the cases of spent reloads in my 1911 and there has been no evidence of overpressure so I know its not overcrimped.
Will get pics tomorrow.
Bullet is X-Treme Ammunition 45 ACP projectile at 230gr and a diameter of .452.
I've done random measuring of their bullets using my digital caliper and their to spec.
Yes, Station one goes down to the base above the rim.
I've ran checks using my case gauge and they always check out. I've checked the crimp on the bullets afterwards by squeezing them in my fingers (I weight lift so I have a 300b grip) and it doesn't budge. A loose crimp was always my first concern so I run a moderate crimp on all my reloads.
I've inspected the cases of spent reloads in my 1911 and there has been no evidence of overpressure so I know its not overcrimped.
Will get pics tomorrow.
Quote from Reloader on October 2, 2015, 1:47 amThere isn't the option to attach pictures but here are the OAL stats;
Out of the press: 1.210"
1st run through 1911: 1.209"
2nd run through 1911: 1.207"
3rd run through 1911: 1.205"I upped the crimp die a little before this run for a stiffer crimp and after the 3rd run there was only a .005" deviation from start, so I guess is this minimal movement expected given the round is getting stripped off the mag and banged around into battery each time?
There isn't the option to attach pictures but here are the OAL stats;
Out of the press: 1.210"
1st run through 1911: 1.209"
2nd run through 1911: 1.207"
3rd run through 1911: 1.205"
I upped the crimp die a little before this run for a stiffer crimp and after the 3rd run there was only a .005" deviation from start, so I guess is this minimal movement expected given the round is getting stripped off the mag and banged around into battery each time?