45acp oal

[2ndsupporter]

I loaded about 400 rnds of 45ACP using 6 grains of unique powder and a 230 gr jacketed round nose bullet. The Lee loading manual states that the min. OAL should be 1.190. I loaded 10 test rnds and fired them with no problems at a OAL of 1.265. I have come across several other recipies that state the min. OAL should be 1.270. This concerns me that there is such a vareance between the loading charts.

Anybody out have ant words of wisdom for me?

Do I chance shooting the rnds that are .005 deeper?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[boscobeans]

My old Speer manual says 1.260 with that bullet and that charge. Sounds fine to me.

bosco

[alfack]

I just checked some Montana Gold 230 gr. FMJRN I loaded. They are right on 1.245. I haven't had any issues with this load. My old Hornady manual says 1.240.

Allen

[automatic slim]

OAL should be 1.190. I loaded 10 test rnds and fired them with no problems at a OAL of 1.265. I have come across several other recipies that state the min. OAL should be 1.270. This concerns me that there is such a vareance between the loading charts.

Anybody out have ant words of wisdom for me?

Do I chance shooting the rnds that are .005 deeper?[/QUOTE]

The total variation between all the manuals is .08" which isn't a heck of alot. I myself would go with the 1.265-1.270. The deeper you seat the bullet, the greater the chance for feeding problems and that the bullet will sink back into the case.

[jbs]

Min cartridge length is 1.15. Max overall length is 1.275. The usefull case cc is 1.14cc, so using 6 grains of unique gives you about .66cc of powder. You should be ok at OAL of 1.19. Info came from Lee's modern reloading and from gun guides for pistol 2009. At 1.19 it should produce 16000 psi which should be well below the max psi for 45.
Hodgdon's site list OAl at 1.20 and another site suggests 5.4 gr and OAL 1.19, but there is room in the case. If 1.25 cycles the gun, stick with it.

Best i could come up with for you
Jeff

[2ndsupporter]

Thanks for all the help folks! I am now at peace!!!!!!

[heylin]

When im loading 9mm I take a set of calipers and check the OAL on some factory loaded ammo that I know works well in a particular gun, adjust my die until the finished rounds just fit through the calipers.

I check the first 10 rounds for consistancy then go to town on the press (putting out 100-200 rounds per session)

To be honest ive never learned to read my calipers proper yet, and have loaded hundreds of rounds with zero pressure, zero feed, and zero accuracy issues.

percise and consistant OAL in my opinion only come into play with rifle reloading and competition pistol shooting where the difference might result in a 2 inch group as opposed to a 2.5 group at 25 yards (pistol) or 500 yards (rifle)