45acp oal

2ndsupporter · July 8th, 2009, 07:02 PM

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?

boscobeans · July 8th, 2009, 08:54 PM

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

bosco

alfack · July 8th, 2009, 10:00 PM

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 · July 8th, 2009, 10:08 PM

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 · July 8th, 2009, 11:37 PM

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 · July 9th, 2009, 01:22 AM

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

heylin · July 9th, 2009, 02:01 AM

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)

July 8th, 2009, 07:02 PM	#1
2ndsupporter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 629	45acp oal 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? __________________ [One Nation Under God]

July 8th, 2009, 10:08 PM	#4
automatic slim Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The western edge of The Confederacy Posts: 1,222	OAL......... 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. __________________ "First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand." Edge of Darkness

July 9th, 2009, 01:22 AM	#6
2ndsupporter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 629	Thanks for all the help folks! I am now at peace!!!!!! __________________ [One Nation Under God]

July 9th, 2009, 02:01 AM	#7
heylin Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 371	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) __________________ ------------------------------------------------ War is not about dying for your country, but making your enemy die for his. ------------------------------------------------

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July 8th, 2009, 08:54 PM	#2
boscobeans Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: upstate new york Posts: 714	My old Speer manual says 1.260 with that bullet and that charge. Sounds fine to me. bosco

July 8th, 2009, 10:00 PM	#3
alfack Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Marysville, Washington Posts: 296	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

July 8th, 2009, 11:37 PM	#5
jbs Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: FL Posts: 81	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