Question on 45 ACP 200gr Berrys plated HP & HS-6

[chbrow10]

Just reloaded my first cartridges (45 ACP) and have a few questions. The bullets are Berrys, 200 grain plated hollowpoints. The powder was HS-6. The closest thing I could find on the Hodgden website is for a Speer JHP, which is 8.2 grains with a COL (I hope that is the same as "OAL") of 1.155".

I was able to get it to 1.170" and the shoulder of the bullet was flush with the case mouth. I was hesitant to seat it any farther since the shoulder was already flush.

A THR member has shared with me that he has seated that bullet to a OAL of 1.200", albiet with a different power.

I realized that the length of the Sperry bullet may have been different than the Berrys bullet, and that may have explained the different OAL. I am just curious to see if I have broken any rules here, like seated the bullet so deep that the pressures may be too high. I have heard that the 45 ACP is a relatively low pressure cartridge, but I thought I would ask you gurus...

Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve C]

You where right not to seat the bullet shoulder below the case mouth as that will usually get you problems with the case mouth hanging up on th feed ramp or on the magazine. You need to seat the bullet deep enough so that the round chambers properly, ie. the bullet doesn't engage the rifling prematurely preventing the round from fully chambering. For the most part, without using the same bullet listed in the manual, the COAL is inconsequential information.