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.45 ACP problems

2K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  woolleyworm 
#1 ·
I attempted to load some .45 ACP this am using the following:
185 gn Hornady XTP
5.0 gn IMR 700X
Winchester large pistol primers
This was using RCBS taper crimp/seating die and a Lee single stage press. Power weighed on a Lee beam scale.
Problem is that about half the rounds the bullet tries to seat out of line and will not enter the die. The result is a crushed case or bullet with a crease which is now unusable. I'm guiding the bullet up to the mouth of the die but this is still an issue. I'm don't load that much pistol ammo (yet) can some help me? Thanks!
 
#4 ·
Your dies are not flaring the case mouths at all. Read your setup instructions again. As Drymag stated, you should be able to stick the bullet into the top of the case, and have it stay there on it's own.
 
#7 ·
FWIW, som may say to use as little flare in the case mouth as possible because too much will work harden the case mouth and shorten case life. I say to new reloaders, use as much as you need. Don't worry about case life, just get good shootable ammo. If you have to use 1/8th inch of flare to get your bullets seated straight with no shaving, well do it, and worry about case life later (45 ACP brass is still plentiful)...
 
#9 ·
There is a nice comment in Speer #14, p744-745. It states excessive flaring will shorten case life by causing premature case mouth splits. The amount the bullet enters is about 1/32" which is about .03125 or slightly smaller than a dime thickness (not the edge of the dime, but the center part of the dime).
 
#10 ·
you shouldn't have to hold the bullet on the case mouth all the way on the up stroke
it should sit in the case mouth and not fall off if the flare it sufficient
I'm with the others, you might want to increase the amount of case mouth bell
 
#11 ·
On my 45 ACP cases, I put a goodly amount of flare in the case mouth. I can't remember how many times my brass has been reloaded. Actually, I just reload them until see split necks (which is rarely). So if "over flaring" shortens case life, just how much? 5 reloadings, ten reloadings? It's better for a new reloader to get good shootable ammo now, than to worry about a small "problem" later...
 
#14 ·
when you start loading lead, you definitely want to make sure you flare the mouth plenty enough to get the bullet started straight. Lead shavings will foul up the press if they get too bad, especially a progressive.
 
#17 ·
Just keep it around 1000fps or less and you'll have no problems. Always check with any new lead load though. Give 4-5 shots and check the barrel. Lead is the way to go for plinking with the 1911.
 
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