First reloaded .45LCs were a fail
Just took my Ruger blackhawk .45LC out to see how my reloads would shoot. They're actually new loads. Was using new brass. I thought I had the bullets crimped well but I guess not. Maybe I didn't seat them low enough?
I fired the first one and it sent all the bullets forward, in the cylinder. They were still in the cases but they came forward. I know the crimp is working because I accidentally sent an empty case up into it and when I tried setting a new bullet into it, it was tight. With a normal casing, they would slide right in.
Also, the powder wasn't burning off. I suspect because the bullets came out too easily? There was probably 0.1, maybe 0.2 of a grain left in every casing, unburned powder in the cylinder and in the barrel. Using 5 year old IMR4227. 24 grains each. Every one weighed individually. With this powder, it leaves almost no air space in the casing.
I fired 6 shells and quit. The last one, the case got blown backwards against the back of the gun. Quite a bit of kick to them. Should I just seat the bullets deeper? I must not have had the groove down past the crimp.
I fired the first one and it sent all the bullets forward, in the cylinder. They were still in the cases but they came forward. I know the crimp is working because I accidentally sent an empty case up into it and when I tried setting a new bullet into it, it was tight. With a normal casing, they would slide right in.
Also, the powder wasn't burning off. I suspect because the bullets came out too easily? There was probably 0.1, maybe 0.2 of a grain left in every casing, unburned powder in the cylinder and in the barrel. Using 5 year old IMR4227. 24 grains each. Every one weighed individually. With this powder, it leaves almost no air space in the casing.
I fired 6 shells and quit. The last one, the case got blown backwards against the back of the gun. Quite a bit of kick to them. Should I just seat the bullets deeper? I must not have had the groove down past the crimp.
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quote: The directions mention it. The bullets seated alot tighter this time. Should you be able to feel the back of the bullet through the casing?
I think he means the BASE of the bullet. And yes that is common, normal and to be expected. If you over crimp a straight walled cartridge you are more apt to push the case down making a wrinkle.0 -
Looks like you got your crimping figured out but you mentioned seating the bullets deeper. That could cause overpressure because the amount of volume left in the case when the bullet is seated is very important.
Blackhawks can take heavy loads. Unique will not give full performance in a Blackhawk. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with a few grains of unburned powder, and the amount will probably go down with a good crimp. Lyman #47 cites 4227 and 2400 as accuracy champs in heavy 44 loads.
Some say to seat and crimp in two steps but I only do so if something's not working.
I always would see the base of the bullet through the brass on 357 and 44. If the die maker has to make a precision expander anyway, then they can just make the resizing die a bit too small instead of absolutely precise. That's cheaper, and it will work even if you buy brass that is on the thin side.0 -
Soreshoulder,
He is loading the 45 LC AKA the 45 Colt, not the 44 mag.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bpost
Soreshoulder,
He is loading the 45 LC AKA the 45 Colt, not the 44 mag.
You're right, high pressure 45lc and 44mag are different as night and day.
Information for loading standard, 13,000 psi 45lc is less appropriate here than information for loading magnums. Unique is too fast to give top performance in a large revolver case when used at high pressure. The powders that work with 44's and 240 grain bullets are going to be the right powders here.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bpost
quote: The directions mention it. The bullets seated alot tighter this time. Should you be able to feel the back of the bullet through the casing?
I think he means the BASE of the bullet. And yes that is common, normal and to be expected. If you over crimp a straight walled cartridge you are more apt to push the case down making a wrinkle.
Thanks for all the help again. Yes, I did mean the base, you can feel through the casing a bit. The bullets are actually not seated deeper, I left them out a slight bit more. You can just see the groove over the casing. I followed the directions in the die set for putting the crimp on and what I was doing made sense this time. I can see a faint line on the case where the crimp stops. It's only maybe a 1/16th down. I believe they're going to work now.0 -
Surprised no one commented on changing the powder measure to lower then specified in the book.
It is my limited understanding that you should not go under or over recommended powder measure.0
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