45ACP OAL varies
Quote from Reloader on July 29, 2012, 6:09 amI am reloading 45ACP, 200gr RNFP cast bullets. All equipment has been cleaned and adjusted. The OAL of most of the rounds are 1.244. For some unknown reason I will get a few rounds that have an OAL of 1.18. I tried each round in the shell plate to see if the problem followed one particular slot, but the OAL was not consistent with any particular slot. I cannot figure out why I am getting a few rounds seating the bullet so much deeper. The min OAL according to my book is 1.19. Any thoughts or suggestions?
I am reloading 45ACP, 200gr RNFP cast bullets. All equipment has been cleaned and adjusted. The OAL of most of the rounds are 1.244. For some unknown reason I will get a few rounds that have an OAL of 1.18. I tried each round in the shell plate to see if the problem followed one particular slot, but the OAL was not consistent with any particular slot. I cannot figure out why I am getting a few rounds seating the bullet so much deeper. The min OAL according to my book is 1.19. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Quote from Reloader on July 30, 2012, 3:51 pmI would suspect this much variation is in the bullet, not in the loader. Be sure that you are using the SWC seat stem. You might measure a couple of dozen bullets with calibers to see how much variation there is. There is always some variation between bullets. Cast bullets can have bigger steps in variation, because not all mold cavities are quite identical.
I would suspect this much variation is in the bullet, not in the loader. Be sure that you are using the SWC seat stem. You might measure a couple of dozen bullets with calibers to see how much variation there is. There is always some variation between bullets. Cast bullets can have bigger steps in variation, because not all mold cavities are quite identical.
Quote from Reloader on August 6, 2012, 12:37 amI sorted 25 bullets out of the group all with the same length. 4 of them ended up deep in the case. The problem is happening in the crimp die. For some unknow reason the bullet is being pulled into the case during the crimp process. I checked all loads proir to the crimp and they were all the same depth. I have never seen this before. All the bullets measured .451, none exceded .452
I sorted 25 bullets out of the group all with the same length. 4 of them ended up deep in the case. The problem is happening in the crimp die. For some unknow reason the bullet is being pulled into the case during the crimp process. I checked all loads proir to the crimp and they were all the same depth. I have never seen this before. All the bullets measured .451, none exceded .452
Quote from Reloader on August 6, 2012, 1:34 amI found the solution after reading an article posted on another site. I have quoted the article here in the event someone else has the same problem. I reloaded 100 rounds without any problems.
"I have been trying to solve a problem with my SDB loading .45acp. The seating die was seating a 185gr LSWC bullet to the correct depth and correct OAL. The bullet would enter the taper crimp die at the correct depth but after crimping the bullet had been pushed deeper into the case.
Dillon sent me a new crimp adjustment screw, and it made no difference. The seating die was OK, and it just made no sense.
This morning dad came over and we went over it again. We changed the head and all dies with ones from his SDB and it loaded OK. When we started measuring and comparing we found that mine was applying too much crimp- .460" instead of .473". I got this press used and the previous owner had managed to screw up everything he could possibly lay his hands on. We only recently solved a primer problem.
Apparently the tight taper crimp with this lead bullet was squeezing the bullet deeper into the case. The shoulder of the bullet is loaded almost exactly even with the case mouth. The tight crimp managed to press on the shoulder of the bullet enough that instead of an OAL of 1.231 I had one that was 1.160.
Once I adjusted the crimp to .470" all the rounds have loaded correctly. "
I found the solution after reading an article posted on another site. I have quoted the article here in the event someone else has the same problem. I reloaded 100 rounds without any problems.
"I have been trying to solve a problem with my SDB loading .45acp. The seating die was seating a 185gr LSWC bullet to the correct depth and correct OAL. The bullet would enter the taper crimp die at the correct depth but after crimping the bullet had been pushed deeper into the case.
Dillon sent me a new crimp adjustment screw, and it made no difference. The seating die was OK, and it just made no sense.
This morning dad came over and we went over it again. We changed the head and all dies with ones from his SDB and it loaded OK. When we started measuring and comparing we found that mine was applying too much crimp- .460" instead of .473". I got this press used and the previous owner had managed to screw up everything he could possibly lay his hands on. We only recently solved a primer problem.
Apparently the tight taper crimp with this lead bullet was squeezing the bullet deeper into the case. The shoulder of the bullet is loaded almost exactly even with the case mouth. The tight crimp managed to press on the shoulder of the bullet enough that instead of an OAL of 1.231 I had one that was 1.160.
Once I adjusted the crimp to .470" all the rounds have loaded correctly. "
Quote from Reloader on July 22, 2013, 6:43 pmCurious what other site has info on Dillon Presses. Not too many "current" topics here. Thanks!
GenoM
1980's Square Deal B
Curious what other site has info on Dillon Presses. Not too many "current" topics here. Thanks!
GenoM
1980's Square Deal B