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Good auto for semi wadcutters

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CrankyCraig

CrankyCraig

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I know this is the reloading forum but I figure you folks who actually shoot 185-200grain semi-wadcutters. Could help me out.

I’m looking into getting a good 1911 that feeds semi wadcutters out of the box without ramp work and or throating .

I have a fantastic Sig 1911 nightmare fastback 5” bbl. it’s a rack driver but just won’t feed wadcutters reliably. I’ve tried numerous magazines, projectile profiles , COL’s etc etc.

I don’t want to mess with the feed ramp or swap out or throat the barrel it’s fantastic for everything else.


So if you folks that load and shoot these is there an off the shelf option? Thanks!
 
CrankyCraig said:
who actually shoot 185-200grain semi-wadcutters ... good 1911 that feeds semi wadcutters out of the box without ramp work and or throating.

Sig 1911 nightmare ... won’t feed wadcutters reliably. I’ve tried numerous magazines, projectile profiles , COL’s etc etc.
Click to expand...
Sig 1911 IS A GOOD 1911 that feeds SWC out of the box without ramp work or throating ... ;)

I have a railed Sig 1911 XO (Factory stock without any work done) with tightest barrel chamber I have seen with essentially no leade. It has fed 185-200 gr SWC reloads using various brand bullets without issues out of the box with factory, Chip McCormick Power Mag and Wilson Combat 47D magazines. But due to tight chamber and no leade, finished round dimensions MUST BE very consistent - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/45acp-lswc-fail.863052/#post-11379867

Below left is Lee 200 gr SWC TL loaded to 1.180" OAL next to MBC 200 gr SWC (IDP #1) on the right loaded to 1.250" OAL which are MAX OALs. Shoulders above the case mouth of Lee 200 gr SWC is about thumbnail thickness (1/32 of an inch). Any longer, due to no leade barrel, they won't drop freely in my Sig 1911 barrel.

index.php


But to reliably feed and chamber, I need to use shorter 1.240" as WORKING OAL to better clear the start of rifling and compensate for shorter resized case lengths that allow more shoulders to stick above the case mouth.

index.php


If you cannot maintain consistent finished round dimensions, I would suggest 1911 with more generous chamber dimensions and even flared chamber opening like RIA Tactical. Friend's RIA Tactical with generous chamber dimensions and longer leade even reliably feeds and chambers sloppy SWC reloads with inconsistent finished dimensions.
 
Last edited:
LiveLife said:
Sig 1911 IS A GOOD 1911 that feeds SWC out of the box without ramp work or throating ... ;)

I have a railed Sig 1911 XO (Factory stock without any work done) with tightest barrel chamber I have seen with essentially no leade. It has fed 185-200 gr SWC reloads using various brand bullets without issues out of the box with factory, Chip McCormick Power Mag and Wilson Combat 47D magazines. But due to tight chamber and no leade, finished rounds dimensions MUST BE very consistent - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/45acp-lswc-fail.863052/#post-11379867

Below left is Lee 200 gr SWC TL loaded to 1.180" OAL next to MBC 200 gr SWC (IDP #1) on the right loaded to 1.250" OAL which are MAX OALs. Shoulders above the case mouth of Lee 200 gr SWC is about thumbnail thickness (1/32 of an inch). Any longer, due to no leade barrel, they won't drop freely in my Sig 1911 barrel.

index.php


But to reliably feed and chamber, I need to use shorter 1.240" as WORKING OAL to better clear the start of rifling and compensate for shorter resized case lengths that allow more shoulders to stick above the case mouth.

index.php


If you cannot maintain consistent finished round dimensions, I would suggest 1911 with more generous chamber dimensions and even flared chamber opening like RIA Tactical. Friend's RIA Tactical even reliably feeds and chambers sloppy SWC reloads with inconsistent finished dimensions.
Click to expand...
LiveLife said:
Sig 1911 IS A GOOD 1911 that feeds SWC out of the box without ramp work or throating ... ;)

I have a railed Sig 1911 XO (Factory stock without any work done) with tightest barrel chamber I have seen with essentially no leade. It has fed 185-200 gr SWC reloads using various brand bullets without issues out of the box with factory, Chip McCormick Power Mag and Wilson Combat 47D magazines. But due to tight chamber and no leade, finished round dimensions MUST BE very consistent - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/45acp-lswc-fail.863052/#post-11379867

Below left is Lee 200 gr SWC TL loaded to 1.180" OAL next to MBC 200 gr SWC (IDP #1) on the right loaded to 1.250" OAL which are MAX OALs. Shoulders above the case mouth of Lee 200 gr SWC is about thumbnail thickness (1/32 of an inch). Any longer, due to no leade barrel, they won't drop freely in my Sig 1911 barrel.

index.php


But to reliably feed and chamber, I need to use shorter 1.240" as WORKING OAL to better clear the start of rifling and compensate for shorter resized case lengths that allow more shoulders to stick above the case mouth.

index.php


If you cannot maintain consistent finished round dimensions, I would suggest 1911 with more generous chamber dimensions and even flared chamber opening like RIA Tactical. Friend's RIA Tactical with generous chamber dimensions and longer leade even reliably feeds and chambers sloppy SWC reloads with inconsistent finished dimensions.
Click to expand...
Currently I’ve tried a 200grain acme hitek Coated SWC and a shooters SWC. The acme is at 1.230 to plunk and spin & the old shooters cast SWC @ 1.235. Tried chip McCormick trip research & Wilson combat mags. Still very sketchy at best.
9C9A4212-A15F-43AD-9036-B10EE2AF3707.jpeg E67AA2F8-D300-437C-A4E1-BD7C36BB56B1.jpeg
 
CrankyCraig said:
Currently I’ve tried a 200grain acme hitek Coated SWC and a shooters SWC. The acme is at 1.230 to plunk and spin & the old shooters cast SWC @ 1.235. Tried chip McCormick trip research & Wilson combat mags.

Still very sketchy at best.
Click to expand...
Describe "sketchy" for me so I can help you.
 
LiveLife said:
Describe "sketchy" for me so I can help you.
Click to expand...

it seems to be a feed issue I can chamber the first round always shoot 1-4 and it gets jammed up out of battery & I have to drop the mag and pull the slide to clear it out.

I can hand cycle dummy rounds like in the photo all day no issues with all the mags
 
Is the recoil spring worn? Point the cleared pistol at the ceiling and pull the slide back and return slide to about 1/2" before full lock up. When you release the slide, does the slide return with definite positive lock up or is there any hesitation or weak return to full battery?

Inspect the inside of extractor for any fouling build up. Can you slide the case base rim up the breech wall face inside the external extractor freely? Inspect the offending rounds that didn't fully chamber for any damage to case base rim.

How about mag springs? If they are worn, they won't push the rim of round up the breech wall face inside the extractor to align with the chamber to be pushed in by the recoil spring.

Are you experiencing any bullet setback? Measure your dummy rounds before and after feeding from the magazine and releasing the slide without riding it.

How much taper crimp are you using?

Are you using a Lee FCD?

Do you have any issues feeding factory FMJ/RN/JHP ammunition?
 
Last edited:
I am a bit confused. These are your reloads you are shooting yes??
If so you need to adjust you COL a bit. Sometimes just a hair will make the difference in feeding or not feeding. They will still plunk test OK but that fraction of an inch makes difference in feeding up the ramp,
 
LiveLife said:
Is the recoil spring worn? Point the cleared pistol at the ceiling and pull slide back and return slide to about 1/2" before full lock up. When you release the slide, does the slide return with positive lock up or is there any hesitation or weak return to full battery?

How about mag springs?

Are you experiencing any bullet setback?

Are you using a Lee FCD?
Click to expand...

Recoil spring is a 17lb Wilson combat only about 200 rounds.

the mag springs seem ok the trip research is only got about 50-75 rounds

No set back that I’ve measured cycling by hand anyway.

Tried your test no issues or hesitation very smooth.

yes I have been using a lee FCD.
 
Rule3 said:
I am a bit confused. These are your reloads you are shooting yes??
If so you need to adjust you COL a bit. Sometimes just a hair will make the difference in feeding or not feeding. They will still plunk test OK but that fraction of an inch makes difference in feeding up the ramp,
Click to expand...
Been trying for about a year different Bullets COLS.
 
CrankyCraig said:
Recoil spring is a 17lb Wilson combat only about 200 rounds.
Click to expand...
Factory recoil spring rate is 16 lbs. It could be that your powder charge is not high enough to push the slide back far enough.

What powder and charge are you using?

(BTW, I use 16 lb Wolff variable power springs with lighter target loads and 18.5 lb Wilson Combat springs with factory/JHP ammunition)

CrankyCraig said:
it seems to be a feed issue I can chamber the first round always shoot 1-4 and it gets jammed up out of battery
Click to expand...
So being able to fire 1-4 rounds, is this consistent?

And what kind of jam do you experience?
 
Last edited:
LiveLife said:
Factory recoil spring rate is 16 lbs. It could be that your powder charge is not high enough to push the slide back far enough.

What powder and charge are you using?

(BTW, I use 16 lb Wolff variable power springs with lighter target loads and 18.5 lb Wilson Combat springs with factory/JHP ammunition)


So being able to fire 1-4 rounds, is this consistent?

And what kind of jam do you experience?
Click to expand...
4.6 grains of bullseye
Went with 17 since I contacted Sig sauer and they said that was the stock spring.
Jams with Bullet in barrel almost looks like I could slap it into battery but I choose not to.

sometimes I can empty the mag 7-8 rounds but no rhyme or reason or consistency between mags lol but I only load 16-20 lately because it’s a painful experience. Sad part is they group well.
 
I've got guns that will and guns that won't.
I've quit tinkering.
Gallant coated and Xtreme plated roundnose feed in all.
Probably not as accurate as a good cast SWC but fine for IDPA.
 
CrankyCraig said:
4.6 grains of bullseye
Went with 17 since I contacted Sig sauer and they said that was the stock spring.
Jams with Bullet in barrel almost looks like I could slap it into battery but I choose not to.

sometimes I can empty the mag 7-8 rounds but no rhyme or reason or consistency between mags lol but I only load 16-20 lately because it’s a painful experience. Sad part is they group well.
Click to expand...

I shoot plated 200grain RMR round nose without issue but it’s @ 4.9-5.0 grains. I could down load A few of those and see. Not sure that would show much though.
 
If your Sig won't feed SWC, my bet is that there's something wrong with the ammo. Probably a tad too long or too short. I haven't bought a new 1911 in the last 15 years that needed any sort of throat work. That's a series 70 Colt era thing.
 
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