.45 LC reloads...something's strange!
First post and glad to be here.
I have a new Hornady die set (New Dimension) for my .45LC. Ran a few cases up the resizing die and found a mystery.... I can place a bullet into the supposedly-sized case and it falls all the way in.
The bullets are Hornady 230FMJ .451
That means that either the die isn't machined right (doubtful) or the bullets are too small (doubtful as well) The die is set to within 1/2mm of the shell holder and this is new brass, lubed.
That leaves me as the problem...so what have I done and what will correct it?
I have a new Hornady die set (New Dimension) for my .45LC. Ran a few cases up the resizing die and found a mystery.... I can place a bullet into the supposedly-sized case and it falls all the way in.
The bullets are Hornady 230FMJ .451
That means that either the die isn't machined right (doubtful) or the bullets are too small (doubtful as well) The die is set to within 1/2mm of the shell holder and this is new brass, lubed.
That leaves me as the problem...so what have I done and what will correct it?
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Well, good news. Hornady confirmed that their dies are now made to accomodate CA shooting using lead at .454 or so. FMJ of .452 is the size they suggest and build for, so I got a .45ACP sizing die and that did the trick; the .451FMJ bullets are now going to fit fine.
Another question came up after the sizing situation got settled. The Hodgen HP-38 shows 5.9gr for the .45ACP and 200gr bullets. No mention of .45LC, of course.
When I place 5.9gr into the .45LC case, it fills about 1/3 of the case; leaving a whole lot of air. Is this going to be a problem or does anybody have a charge for HP38 that I can use?0 -
Hello Most 45 colt shooters use heavier bullets then the 200 grain. Be aware in reloading you are on thin Ice anytime you try to guess at amount of powder to use . YOU CAN NOT use the load just because it has the correct diameter bullet . The case capacity is KEY . all smokeless powder is Progressive in burn and pressure rate . for instance a heavey load of Bulls-eye powder with a 255 grain bullet in 45 long colt would most likely Blow out the part of the case over the feed ramp on a 45ACP with the same powder load. a load printed for 45ACP may stick a bullet in the barrel of a revolver. The best example I can think of is look at 38 special loads and compare with 357 mag loads with the same weight bullet and powder you need more powder in the larger case. to get same velocity. 0 -
Your comments tell me that using the 200gr JHP bullets that my son got for me wouldn't be wise because guessing at the charge might cause damage; whether to shooter or gun.
Given that I'd be purely guessing at the charge rate, looks like I have a box of JHP bullets for .45ACP to unload and replace them with correct stuff.
Thanks for setting reality on the line.0 -
There is 45 Colt loading data for bullets as light as 165gr look at
http://stevespages.com/page8a.htm0
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