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.45 ACP bullet seating problem

94fuelie
Hello Friends,
I have just started reloading .45 ACP for my Colt 1991A1. I have been going slowly with great caution. I am using a Rockchucker with Lee carbide dies. I resized the cases and primed them and measured the powder (Power Pistol 6.7 grains to start). I went to seat the bullets last night(239 grain FMJ) and had a lot of trouble getting them to go in straight. I had a hard time getting them into the case straight and the copper jacket will strip off outside the case. Do I need to get a resizer that will open the cases a little wider? Thank in advance for any help you can offer!
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • 94fuelie
    CORRECTION! I am using 230 grain FMJ bullets.
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  • jonk
    The lee dies feature a powder through expander die. Sounds like you either didn't use it or didn't have it in deep enough. You should see a definite flare to the case mouth after expansion with pistol dies. The seater and/or crimp dies then remove this.
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  • 94fuelie
    Jonk,

    You are right. I did not use the powder thru expansion die. I will try this. Thank you!
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  • dcs shooters
    Set your expander die to just put a little flare on the case mouth.
    That should cure the problem.
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  • 94fuelie
    Friends,

    I did use the powder through expander die and the bullets fit right in. I did not use it at first because the RCBS funnel does not fit into the powder adaptor on the die. I guess I need a Lee funnel. I will proceed and let you know what happens.

    Thanks again!
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  • perry shooter
    I also like a TAPER CRIMP die for 45 ACP crimp to case mouth .469 +or - .002. With a roll crimp die you are still pushing the bullet down the same time you are crimping this can cause problem if case length varies
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  • 94fuelie
    The bullets are going in fine. I am only loading a few until I can get out and shoot a bit.

    Is less crimp better with FMJ rounds?
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  • perry shooter
    If you put a loaded round next to a straight edge the mouth should be about >002 smaller at the very case mouth then 1/4 inch below case mouth
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  • bpost
    quote:Originally posted by 94fuelie
    The bullets are going in fine. I am only loading a few until I can get out and shoot a bit.

    Is less crimp better with FMJ rounds?


    You do not crimp a 45 ACP as you would for a revolver. If anything, use a taper crimp as described by Perry Shooter. If you crimp the case into the bullet the case may not be able to headspace on the mouth when chambered.
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  • 94fuelie
    So, I should use a taper crimp. This must mean I need to pick up another die that will do that.

    I did run all the loads through and cycle the pistol by hand. Most of them chambered just fine. I will look into the taper crimp before firing any rounds.

    Thanks everyone for all the help!
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  • B17-P51
    The Lee die set comes (is manufactured) with a taper crimp.
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  • 94fuelie
    Well, I have the Lee four die set, so I must have used the taper crimp. Most of the cartridges cycled through okay. When I put the straight edge against the cartridges, I could not see a taper with the light behind it. Of course, .002 is pretty small.

    B-17 P-51? My dad was a B-17 pilot in the 8th Air Force 95th Bomb Group (H). The P-51's were his "little buddies" especially when they went all the way to Berlin with him! He flew 35 missions and he is now 89 years old.

    Thanks for the info!
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