Reseating already taper crimped 45ACP? Bad idea?

[CQB45ACP]

Before I do something stupid, I thought I’d ask the collective wisemen—I want to reduce the length of already loaded AND crimped cartridges from 1.260 down to 1.250-1.255 or so. Yeah or nay?

WRT to published load data the new OAL is fine. My question concerns the advisability of the mechanical process of reducing OAL of an already crimped cartridge.

Why do I want to do this? I have loaded 2000 Acme coated 230Gr RN and fired many hundreds in one of my 1911 government models. This pistol loved them.

But yesterday for the first time I tried them in my favorite 1911 (CQB) and it didn’t like them at all. Seven wouldn’t feed. When I came home I plunk tested them in the CQB barrel and no dice. They didn’t plunk.

PLATED 230gr RN at any appropriate length plunk fine in the CQB, but not the Acmes. Maybe it’s the .452” size vs. .451”. I don’t know and may try to figure it out some day but for now just the original question—should I reduce OAL?

 

[ballman6711]

You might want to try seating one or two deeper, maybe five, then pull them and look at the coating to see if it holds up. If so, have at it, if not....

chris

 

[Laphroaig]

Even if you scrape a couple thousandths of coating off its still better than pulling 2000 rounds IMO.

Probably the best option is just to shoot them in pistols that like them.

 

[AJC1]

If you taper crimp correctly and do not dimensionally change the bullet it should be no problem at all. If you taper crimp to the point that you change the dimension of the bullet you may end up collapsing the case

 

[CQB45ACP]

Great advice, all. Thanks

 

[Bayou52]

It might work, might not. The worst that will happen is that the case will buckle somewhat when you push down on the crimped projectile…

Just have to try them to find out…

Bayou52

 

[AJC1]

It might work, might not. The worst that will happen is that the case will buckle somewhat when you push down on the crimped projectile…

Just have to try them to find out…

Bayou52

Pull one and see if the bullet shows a crimp.

 

[243winxb]

Seating deeper may shave a small ring of lead/coating off the bullet? If it does, just remove is so the ring doesnt build up in the chamber.

At times a hair more taper crimp may allow the rounds to plunk. This is when tne action is held open about 1/8" .

 

[forrest r]

+1 with what 243winxb said about using more crimp.

 

[CQB45ACP]

At times a hair more taper crimp may allow the rounds to plunk. This is when tne action is held open about 1/8" .

I need to try that.

 

[Bayou52]

FWIW -

My taper crimp for 45 ACP measures @ .468” at the rim.

Very reliable in all of my 45 ACPs…

Bayou52

 

[FROGO207]

Adding more taper crimp would probably work OK. However if you need to push the bullet deeper there is a good chance of cutting the coating. I also would use these up in the pistol that they work in and make some others that work in the CQB if simply adding taper does not work. Then make all going forward that fit your tightest barrel.

 

[nettlle]

I've done this a time or two. No harm was done and I didn't turn into a punkin.

 

[Mark_Mark]

 

[CQB45ACP]

Okay, I reseated a few with no problems and increased the crimp somewhat on others. I’ll see how it goes at the range, but visually no big change.

I’ve attached some lame pics of plunk testing. Two barrels (Ed Brown & Wilson) and two cartridges in each—.452” Berry’s 230RN plated with very light crimp fit fine in each. But, .452” Acme 230RN coated w/heavier crimp do not plunk in either.

(I didn’t include pics of a Les Baer which will plunk anything—kinda a loose chamber I guess—Which is ironic since it’s a pretty hard fit pistol in every other respect.)

So, I’m not going to spend anymore time trying to figure this out, reseating, or adding crimp. Instead, as suggested, I’m going shoot em in the Les Baer and enjoy.

 

[AJC1]

I recently delt with a crimp issue on some 45 my dad loaded. I had a case guage in hand and I just added more crimp until they plunked. These were with lead 200 rn from Missouri. I thought at first it was an oal issue and I seated them deeper first and still no go so that left crimp. I ended up having to take a few appart from testing and seating to deep before I got it figured out.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I recently felt with a crimp issue on some 45 my dad loaded. I had a case guage in hand and I just added more crimp until they plunked. These were with lead 200 rn from Missouri. I thought at first it was an oal issue and I seated them deeper first and still no go so that left crimp. I ended up having to take a few appart from testing and seating to deep before I got it figured out.

I like a light crimp typically so adding a lot wasn’t an attractive option for me anyway, but when it didn’t actually fix the problem, my decision was made for me—use a different pistol which I think you suggested anyway.

 

[AJC1]

I like a light crimp typically so adding a lot wasn’t an attractive option for me anyway, but when it didn’t actually fix the problem, my decision was made for me—use a different pistol.

These had a flair for loading lead so it was more exaggerated than normal. The goal is just enough to be functional, which is why having the case guage is so nice. If I'm doing load development I'll use the barrel as it is the final arbitrator on ammunition. Figuring out someone elses mistakes is not as easy for me as identifying a problem in my own process.

 

[mdi]

It would be OK with my semi-auto handloads as I don't "crimp" my ammo, I just "deflare". I plunk test and rarely have to shorten a handload and jacketed bullets are no problem, and I can only remember one cast 9mm load that needed .005" deeper bullet and without a real crimp, there was no shaving...

 

[CQB45ACP]

It would be OK with my semi-auto handloads as I don't "crimp" my ammo, I just "deflare". I plunk test and rarely have to shorten a handload and jacketed bullets are no problem, and I can only remember one cast 9mm load that needed .005" deeper bullet and without a real crimp, there was no shaving...

My typical crimp is like yours just taking off the bell.

 

[LiveLife]

Acme coated ... plated ... crimp ... just taking off the bell ... .452” size vs. .451”

Most brass average .011" thickness (And slightly thicker) at the case mouth where taper crimp is applied. So adding .022" to diameter of bullet will return flare back flat on the bullet and skosh more and that's the amount of taper crimp you want with coated/plated bullets to not scrape/cut into the copper plating. This also minimize post sizing of bullet diameter for better seal with the barrel which helps with accuracy.

So for .451" bullet, .473 taper crimp and for .452" bullet, .474" taper crimp.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Most brass average .011" thickness (And slightly thicker) at the case mouth where taper crimp is applied. So adding .022" to diameter of bullet will return flare back flat on the bullet and that's the amount of taper crimp you want with coated/plated bullets to not scrape/cut into the copper plating.

So for .451" bullet, .473 taper crimp and for .452" bullet, .474" taper crimp.

Thanks

Have never had a scraping problem and not what I’m dealing with here—I’ve got .452” Acme coated that don’t plunk and .452” plated that do. Many brands of cases, same result.

I’ve decided I’m not going to measure myself into an asylum instead just going to shoot my Acmes in my Les Baer.

Edit: actually did have a scraping problem occasionally when using a misadjusted seating die with a crimping function. Long sense solved that issue.

 

[roval]

i had loaded 1000 rounds of 45 acp at 1.275 as per lyman which is my usual load.( not max) that wprks for my sig220 and 1911s. i then got a 97b which had a short leade and required 1.255 coal to be reliable. i eventually reseated about 500 rds at 1.255 without issues.