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45 Reloads

Mr. Lobo
I finished my first 50 rounds of 45 ACP and had a couple of questions. I had two rounds "stove pipe" so I added one tenth of a gram of powder to my load and will test that today to see if it worked. I had a couple of real loose bullets and had one heck of a time getting them to crimp. I am using a Dillon 550, once fired brass, 230-grain rn lead, and 5.0 grains of Unique powder (now 5.1 gr). I called Dillon and they told me with the shell plate up to turn the crimp die until it touched the top of the shell then lower the shell plat and turn it down another 1/2 of a turn. This is a tapered crimp die but it doesn't seem to crimp enough. I can still take a bullet and push against my workbench and force the bullet inside the case. Any suggestions on either one of my problems? Thanks in advance.

Jim
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • oneshy
    The start load for Unique is 5.3-6.4 for LRN. I suppose you have a well used recoil spring to only experience 2 stove pipes. Bump it up to 5.3. Sounds like either some of your bullets are under-sized, or your brass is thin. Take note of which brand of brass is failing and measure your bullets with a caliper to determine any under-sized. To crimp, put a loaded round in the plate and screw down your crimp die a half turn at a time then try to crimp. Do this in repeated increments until you have a firm crimp. You'll feel it get stiff when it does crimp. If you have to push it hard against the bench, 1 or 2 more turns may be all you need. Sounds like you did better than I did on my first 50.
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  • Pearyw
    What kind of pistol are you using this load in? I have found that guns like the Glock 30 and H&K USP will not function reliably with that light a load. If you are shooting these in a 1911 type gun, you might need to go to a lighter recoil spring.
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  • Pearyw
    What kind of pistol are you using this load in? I have found that guns like the Glock 30 and H&K USP will not function reliably with that light a load. If you are shooting these in a 1911 type gun, you might need to go to a lighter recoil spring.
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  • Mr. Lobo
    Pearyw, I am using a Kimber Gold Match. When I boosted the powder to 5.1 grams all 50 fired without a problem.

    oneshy, I used the 2002 Alliant Powder reloaders guide for the 5.0 for 790 fps for a 230-gr-lead target load. Maybe the round nose has a different load but my book did not show a load for that exact load. What you are saying makes sense seeing I am using a round nose.

    I loaded 75 more today and found that because my 550 does not have the new style return rod and spring it did not retract all the way. When I pushed the Powder bar to it's complete return position it increased the load from 5.1 to about a 5.3. Do you think that this will make a difference for combat style shooting? Thanks for the input.

    Jim
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  • hecklerxkoch
    might not be a problem, but try FMJ bullets, the Dillon 550 likes them better.

    New gun??? No, honey, I've had it for years.
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  • leeblackman
    You should also try chamber checking them, and/or using a drop check case die. When I first started reloading, I was advised of this, and I can honestly say that my malfunction are next to nil.

    If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.

    The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !
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  • Shootist3006
    Sounds like your taper crimp die is not adjusted properly (or you may have undersized bullets but that isn't very likely). Start with one round and adjust the crimp die down to where it just starts to crimp (run it down by hand until it starts to feel tight). Back out and measure the case mouth width. Turn the die down a half turn and repeat the process. With a bullet of .452", you should taper crimp down to about .473". At that point you should not be able to push the bullets in by hand. If your taper crimp die won't get down to .473" - you have a bad die.

    heckler said quote: but try FMJ bullets, the Dillon 550 likes them better. maybe so but my Dillon has loaded over 100,000 LSWC without a hiccup.

    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • Mr. Lobo
    leeblackman, I have not heard of chamber checking or a drop check case die. Where can I learn more about what you are talking about. Does Dillon offer the drop check case die? Thanks so far guys you are a great help. Today I will try the second 75 at the local combat shoot. Wish me luck!

    Jim
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  • Nighthawk
    One fairly common cause of stovepipe jams is Limp wristing. Your loadings sound about right to me.I would consider giving it another try. Hope this helps!!

    Rugster
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  • Piadea
    Lobo, Look in the dillon catalog for "case gages" diffinely handy and saves the time of taking the gun apart to use the barrel. Not only will they comfirm your case is properly sized but case lenght as well. I have no problem loading swc lead 45's on my 550B. By the way you can crimp to .470. As stated above if you can't get that much crimp send the die back to Dillon. Good luck and good shooting.
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