45 acp.... Too short?

[MightyMO1911]

I am loading up some 45 acp for my 1911. I'm loading a 185gr lswc being pushed by accurate #2. The book shows a COAL of 1.210 but that length doesn't plunk well in my barrel. The base of the case extends past the barrel hood quite a ways. I need to shorten to a COAL of 1.155 for that to be flush. My crimp diameter is 469-470. But I am quite concerned about that length. Thats considerably shorter than the data calls for.

Too short?

 

[Jim Watson]

That's what starting loads are for.

 

[Potatohead]

I dont load 45 but OAL is just what the manufacturing folks loaded at to get that particular set of data. It's not a hard and fast rule. Like in 9mm, theres generally a range where you'll be fine, provided you start low, like 1.10-1.16" ---for 9mm

Jim, I see you're rather snappy today, have you not had your coffee yet?

 

[MightyMO1911]

I start at the basement and work up, and did here as well. If it were just a little shorter I wouldn't be concerned but this is quite a bit shorter. So I didn't want to just assume.

 

[rcmodel]

Do what you gotta do.

Unless you are using the exact same bullet mold number in your data, the OAL is wrong for your bullet anyway.

SWC have to be seated so you just have a fingernail thickness of the front driving band sticking out of the case to miss the rifling.

Whatever that OAL turns out to be is the correct OAL for that bullet mold design.

rc

 

[edfardos]

Rc model is always right.

let us know how they feed after you pass plunk. Id like to try wad cutters in a 1911, but they traditionally only feed ball ammo well.

 

[MightyMO1911]

Well I had to shorten still more to feed. They are now 1.145 and fed perfectly. With 6gr of NO2 pushing them they were quite consistent. The flyer or 2 was all me and my flinch.