belling 45 ACP - The Firearms Forum

Topkat · 03-20-2012, 10:59 AM

Hi
I'm reloading 1000 .45 ACP cases using Montana Gold 230 Gr. FMJ.
should I be belling the cases?
My last batch was with Ranieer plated bullets and I soon found belling the cases a must.
But not sure I need to bell them with jacketed bullets.
I've done it before sucessfully.
thank you

Alpo · 03-20-2012, 11:02 AM

I bell for everything - rifle, pistol, lead or jacketed. It just makes it so much easier to get the bullet started. With "not belling" you stand a chance of damaging the bullet, and a much greater chance of destroying the case. Since the reason I started reloading was to save money, destroying cases and bullets is counter-productive.

ryan42 · 03-20-2012, 11:09 AM

Kevin Rohrer · 03-20-2012, 11:22 AM

Bell just enough to start the bullet into the case and no more than that.

howlnmad · 03-20-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Rohrer

Bell just enough to start the bullet into the case and no more than that.

The less you flare, the longer your brass will last.

Dirtypacman · 03-20-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howlnmad

The less you flare, the longer your brass will last.

Wise words - seems like you got your answer.

PanhandlePop · 03-20-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Rohrer

Bell just enough to start the bullet into the case and no more than that.

Jacketed bullets don't require much, but the bullet still needs to sit straight on the case. I've actually had more issues getting just the right flare on plated than on lead for some reason.

mikld · 03-20-2012, 02:45 PM

If you can seat your bullets, easily, without flaring, go ahead. Problems can arise though, trying to seat a bullet in a case that's not flared; seating crooked, damaging bullets (scraping material from bullet) and damaging cases (collapsing case, buldging case). I flare the case mouths of every cartridge I reload, revolver, pistol and rifle...

Gahunter12 · 03-20-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Rohrer

Bell just enough to start the bullet into the case and no more than that.

What he said. Ditto!

JLA · 03-20-2012, 09:14 PM

I also agree with alpo. belling the casemouth also ensures the bullet starts straight.

vulcrider · 03-22-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Rohrer

Bell just enough to start the bullet into the case and no more than that.

Agree 100%

LDBennett · 03-22-2012, 10:59 PM

I also agree for pistol rounds. The cases must be belled but only just enough. Excessive belling eventual over works the case and the cases may be lost.

Rifle brass need not be belled but the inside of the throat should be chamfered with a a tool as supplied by RCBS and others. It only take a little but the burr from trimming must be removed or it will catch the bullet and rip off copper from the jacket or collapse the throat of the case.

LDBennett

03-20-2012, 10:59 AM	#1
Topkat Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 14	belling 45 ACP Hi I'm reloading 1000 .45 ACP cases using Montana Gold 230 Gr. FMJ. should I be belling the cases? My last batch was with Ranieer plated bullets and I soon found belling the cases a must. But not sure I need to bell them with jacketed bullets. I've done it before sucessfully. thank you -->

03-20-2012, 11:02 AM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,652	Re: belling 45 ACP I bell for everything - rifle, pistol, lead or jacketed. It just makes it so much easier to get the bullet started. With "not belling" you stand a chance of damaging the bullet, and a much greater chance of destroying the case. Since the reason I started reloading was to save money, destroying cases and bullets is counter-productive. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

03-20-2012, 11:09 AM	#3
ryan42 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: marion indiana Contributor Posts: 1,549	Re: belling 45 ACP +1

03-20-2012, 11:22 AM	#4
Kevin Rohrer V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 278	Re: belling 45 ACP Bell just enough to start the bullet into the case and no more than that. __________________ An armed society is a polite society--Robert Heinlein via Jeff Cooper Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, Varmint Hunters Assn, American Legion, ARCTA, & South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Assn.

03-20-2012, 02:45 PM	#8
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: belling 45 ACP If you can seat your bullets, easily, without flaring, go ahead. Problems can arise though, trying to seat a bullet in a case that's not flared; seating crooked, damaging bullets (scraping material from bullet) and damaging cases (collapsing case, buldging case). I flare the case mouths of every cartridge I reload, revolver, pistol and rifle... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast.

03-20-2012, 09:14 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: belling 45 ACP I also agree with alpo. belling the casemouth also ensures the bullet starts straight. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-22-2012, 10:59 PM	#12
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,711	Re: belling 45 ACP I also agree for pistol rounds. The cases must be belled but only just enough. Excessive belling eventual over works the case and the cases may be lost. Rifle brass need not be belled but the inside of the throat should be chamfered with a a tool as supplied by RCBS and others. It only take a little but the burr from trimming must be removed or it will catch the bullet and rip off copper from the jacket or collapse the throat of the case. LDBennett