Safe to exceed max OAL in .45 LC?

[Zerstoerer]

Got my first batch of .45 LC reloaded. Max. OAL set to 1.600" as per Hornady book. Sticking them in the cylinder of my Ruger Blackhawk, I noticed that there would still be plenty of space in the cylinder left before they would be sticking out the front.
Was surprised how far into the case the bullet would go, wonder if I can more powder in if I exceed the 1.600? (250 gr RN)
Any thoughts on this? Am I missing some safety related issue?

 

[Claude Clay]

have 2 or more re-loading manuals to reference.
do what they say

do only what they say

before you experiment--learn the why and how of the process.

 

[ranger335v]

You can safely make them longer, until they stick out of the cylinder and block movement.

A safe powder charge relates to the pressure of the load, not the available space to pack more in.

 

[mkl]

I just crimp them in the crimp groove of the bullet and don't worry about OAL.

If you are having problems getting enough powder in the 45 Colt case, you are using the wrong powder.

 

[MCMXI]

Zerstoerer, I can't find a single reference to RN bullets and .45 Colt in any of my manuals. They're all the RNFP or FP variety which when compared to a true RN, would result in a different case volume once seated (larger) to the 1.600" standard. All of the bullets that I load are FP and the bullet will "stick" in the throat of the chamber LONG before it pops out past the end of the cylinder if the COL is too long. You'll also find that the base (rim) of the case wont sit flat against the back of the cylinder.

 

[jwr747]

I used to work with a guy that thought that way,"if I load the bullet farther out,I can put in more powder" ole 3 finger Pharr is what we called him.just wouldn't read a loading manual. jwr

 

[Zerstoerer]

I should have been more precise - I was trying to dublicate a historic blackpowder load - 40 grains of ffg which will not fit. The max I got in the case was 36 grains of fffg with some compression. Since it is blackpowder and a Blackhawk I figured it is safe. Trying to determine velocity and then dublicate the same velocity with nitro.
The bullets are historic RNFP 250 gr from Midway, dirty little bastards. Next batch will be run through the tumbler first.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think the reason you can't fit the whole 40 grains of powder in the case is because the original bullets didn't have a flat base. They had a deep bevel if I remember correctly.

As for extending the OAL, you could probably extend it slightly if the chambers of the cylinder will allow the added length. You might want to look around and fine a more authentic bullet. Just because the top profile is similar to the original doesn't make the bullet really original. Gad Custom Cartridges probably has the bullets you're looking for.

Good luck reproducing the classic .45 Colt load.

 

[skidooman603]

3 Finger Pharr Reminds me of dumb A$$ at the range the other day that told me he found max loads by loading up til primers bulged then backed off a grain. OMG!

 

[highlander 5]

The reason you can't get 40 gr of BP in modern 45 Colt cases is because of case design. Modern brass cases have a solid case head thus less internal capacity. I can't think of the correct way to describe balloon head cases,Google that for the answer.

 

[SASS#23149]

some folks 'settle' the powder in a bp load by holding the brass on some type of vibrating mechanism like a fish aquarium pump.
others,especially rifle reloaders,use a drop tube to 'sift' the powder into the case for tighter density.
Some die mfgrs. make a compression die whch does just that...compresses bp so all the powder called for will fit in the case.I'm NOT sure they can/should be used on pistol loads.

 

[Ol` Joe]

The reason you can't get 40 gr of BP in modern 45 Colt cases is because of case design. Modern brass cases have a solid case head thus less internal capacity. I can't think of the correct way to describe balloon head cases,Google that for the answer.

Bingo!!

 

[rcmodel]

In addition to hollow-base bullets, and ballon-head cases, nobody makes black powder today the same as it was then.
Modern black powder is slightly less dense, and takes up more room.

BTW: The velocity you are looking for is 850-875 FPS out of most guns.

It can easily be duplicated with a 250 - 255 grain bullet and 8.5 grains Unique. That load shoots exactly to the sights in my 4 3/4" Colt SAA & a 7 1/2" Uberti clone.

BTW: Remington still makes a run of the old 250 grain, HB-RN-FP occasionally. If you hunt around, you might be able to find some.
https://www.midwayuk.com/apps/eproductpage.exe/ShowProduct?saleitemid=446981

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Shipping on those might make it hard to shoot too many, no? LOL

 

[Slamfire]

If you are using Blackpowder, that stuff is such low pressure you really don't need to worry about OAL. You can seat the bullet as far out as you want, until bullets touch throats, seating them out will reduce pressures.

I hope you are using a blackpowder lube on your bullet. Generally the stuff is a beeswax/crisco mix. I tried loading bullets with smokeless lube and that will not keep the fouling moist. Your rifling will disappear in a couple of cylinders full.

The guys in SASS remove smokeless lube with heat, and then they "pan lube" the blackpowder lube into the grease grooves. Basically melt blackpowder lube at low temp in a cake pan. They cool the stuff down and put bullets in and reheat till the grease grooves are covered. Then they cool down and pull out the bullets.