.45 Auto Rim sizing problem

[sweater914]

Hi Folks,

I have 200 Remington/Peters AR cases for my SW625, which I sized in my Hornady .45 dies, which list ACP/AR/Win Mag on the box. However, when loading a 200gr Hornady XTP .451 diameter I can push the bullet all the way to the bottom of the case by hand. I put little to no flare on the cases. I've disassembled my sizing die and re-sized the cases making sure the ram on the press makes gentle contact with the bottom of the die. I'm looking for a solution to the problem, without (hopefully) trashing the cases.

Post away.

 

[243winxb]

In Remington brass, my first thought is thin case wall thickness. But check the expander button, should be .002" under bullet diameter.

 

[sweater914]

No need to check the expander button (I'll check anyway), I re-sized the brass and didn't flare the cases at all, I can still push the bullets into the cases by hand with little effort.

 

[243winxb]

I put little to no flare on the cases.

If you run the expander in at all, it will expand the brass, if like RCBS dies. Photo of 357 mag/38spec. expander

 

[sweater914]

The Hornady New Dimension Dies have separate sizing and expander dies. I had to remove the de-capping portion of the sizer die because I didn't want to punch out the fresh primers. Expanding the case mouth is the least of my worries at the moment. Your RCBS die is different.

 

[243winxb]

Maybe Hornady will send you a tighter sizing die, if you supply 3 problem brass. Give them a call. Can't hurt.

 

[Jim Watson]

And if they won't EGW will sell you an undersize sizing die that will really snug those suckers down.
http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=40
I use one for short bearing surface 185 gr JHPs.

 

[MMCSRET]

I load 45 A.R. using Lee dies and .451 bullets and have never had this happen with R-P cases. Second the motion on the table: call Hornady!!!!

 

[Hanshi]

Having fired large quantities of .45acp hand loads and a fair number of .45ar, I've experienced most problems that others have run into. While you may have a lot of thin brass, a tight sizing die is probably going to be the best cure. I shoot an old S&W 1955 M25. Mostly I shoot acp rounds but have never loaded anything other than lead bullets in the ar cases. Cases can vary a great deal so your problem is not uncommon. Good luck.

 

[sweater914]

Thanks guys, I've used the Hornady dies without problems with thousands of
.45 ACP, with multiple headstamps. My dad gave me the AR handloaded with 200gr SWC (Bull-X bullets for those who remember the brand), which were probably a little larger diameter .452 vs .451. I'll lookup getting a tighter sizing die.

 

[ChristopherG]

If these dies work with .45 acp, then they're not the problem. I'd put money on the Shellholder being the issue. The thick rim of the .45 AR case (one gunwriter, I forget which, compared the .45 AR to a "short fat man with big feet") means whatever shellholder you're using can't possibly be the same one as you've used for .45 acp with these dies. The one you're using is not allowing the die to actually size the case, even though you've screwed it all the way down to contact. So what shellholder are you using?

 

[MutinousDoug]

I used to shoot a lot of Bullseye (Conventional Pistol, to the un-washed) and shot over 20,000 rounds of lead semi-wadcutter through my Springfield ACP. All of my brass was range pick-up. There are many headstamps in my collection. For competition, I shot either Federal brass or Winchester brass. There are many headstamps I learned not to bother shooting. R-P was one of these. It seemed to be consistant at being thin at the rim and loose at holding the 200gr H&G or Lee 200gr bullets I shot. If I had only that brass to shoot I could have modified/adjusted my dies to accomodate but the WWC or FED brass was plentiful enough to not require that course.
YMMV
Doug

 

[Doug b]

I ran into the same problem years ago with a 1955 Smith and R-P auto rim brass,I could load the first load with a jacketed bullet the second load with a cast and nothing after that would hold a bullet.I understand Starline now makes AR brass.I've never heard anything wrong with starline brass but I know for a fact Rem handgun brass has issues.

 

[Oyeboten]

Hi Folks,

I have 200 Remington/Peters AR cases for my SW625, which I sized in my Hornady .45 dies, which list ACP/AR/Win Mag on the box. However, when loading a 200gr Hornady XTP .451 diameter I can push the bullet all the way to the bottom of the case by hand. I put little to no flare on the cases. I've disassembled my sizing die and re-sized the cases making sure the ram on the press makes gentle contact with the bottom of the die. I'm looking for a solution to the problem, without (hopefully) trashing the cases.

Post away.

Hi sweater914,


Maybe try ( Lead ) Bullets of .452? Or, .453?


What are your Cylinder end Bores measuring to? And, what does the Barrel Bore measure to?

 

[highlander 5]

Why not just use 45 acp brass and moonclips? I have 2 625 and that's all I ever use.
Had someone ask why I used 45 acp and not the rimmed case. 45 ar brass is expensive and to convert my 650 is $60,wny go thru that expence when I got 5 or 6 k rds of 45 acp brass.

 

[Hanshi]

.45acp brass with moon clips is certainly faster and more convenient.