[LarryP]

MY Question: Would you shoot 230 Berrys RN, Rem Primer, Clays 3.9 or 3.8 with an OAL of 1.175?

I'm new at reloading .45 ACP and have a Dillon 550b with RCBS Carbide dies. I bought some Berry's 230 gr plated RN and having a tough time getting all of it right. I would hate to damage a new Taurus 1911.

My first batch came out about 1.19 and worked fine with 3.9 Clays. I was trying for longer so I started tinkering and after destroying a bunch of brass and bullets I was making shorter bullets then when I started.

The OAL was now 1.175 but I was happy. I loaded 10 or so and thought I should drop the powder charge down a little, and changed it to 3.8. I loaded about 30 and thought I should ask people with more knowlege before testing.

[LPatterson]

Personally I wouldn't shoot them that short but that is just my opinion. I have a kinetic bullet puller and a tap or 2 will usually extend them enough to reseat where I want. Depending on your crimp and crimp die you may be able to do the same. My Springfield needs 4.0 gr of Clays (max in the Hodgdon book) for a PF of 168 with Moly bullets so I changed to a different powder.

[LarryP]

LPatterson, on Nov 14 2009, 08:52 AM, said:

Personally I wouldn't shoot them that short but that is just my opinion. I have a kinetic bullet puller and a tap or 2 will usually extend them enough to reseat where I want. Depending on your crimp and crimp die you may be able to do the same. My Springfield needs 4.0 gr of Clays (max in the Hodgdon book) for a PF of 168 with Moly bullets so I changed to a different powder.

Thanks, I'm going to take that advice. I'll try the bullet puller tecknique too, perhaps I can salvage them.

I just came back from the range and had a chance to chrono the 1.19 w/ 3.9 Clays: 3 rounds avg 772 PF 177. My gun ran good with that and I'd be happy to get back to that.

Thanks again.

[Houngan]

1.2 to 1.22 is a fine range to work in, shorter might save you some powder. I use 3.9 clays at 1.22 and get a bit lower numbers than you do.

H.

[Merlin Orr]

I would worry about that short of an OAL with any fast powder.

[irq23]

Merlin Orr, on Nov 15 2009, 07:09 PM, said:

I would worry about that short of an OAL with any fast powder.

I would also... Try 1.250 that seems to be the magic number for 230

[zhunter]

irq23, on Nov 17 2009, 01:39 AM, said:

Merlin Orr, on Nov 15 2009, 07:09 PM, said:

I would worry about that short of an OAL with any fast powder.

I would also... Try 1.250 that seems to be the magic number for 230

230 gr. RN at 1.248" with clays

[SoonerPast]

The Hodgdon web data center specifies a 1.20 length.

[irq23]

SoonerPast, on Nov 17 2009, 07:34 AM, said:

The Hodgdon web data center specifies a 1.20 length.

That may be but I do not know what gun they are loading for. Military spec for .45 ball is around 1.250-1.265. Try the longer OAL.

[Duane Thomas]

I think the OP knows he needs a longer OAL, what he's asking is if the stuff he's loaded can be fired safely. I don't see any reason why not.

Larry, when it comes time to load new stuff, just do a few rounds and measure the OAL, get it where you want it, before cranking out mass quantities.

[LarryP]

Duane Thomas, on Nov 18 2009, 03:44 AM, said:

I think the OP knows he needs a longer OAL, what he's asking is if the stuff he's loaded can be fired safely. I don't see any reason why not.

Larry, when it comes time to load new stuff, just do a few rounds and measure the OAL, get it where you want it, before cranking out mass quantities.

Thank you everyone. I knew I wanted longer ( 1.240 range) but my problem was getting everything right; crimp, seating depth with the OAL. I'm finally getting it right. (a little over 1.24, nice smooth crimp, and every case fits).

Thanks again,

LP

[Revopop]

I've had great success with my 625 and 3 different 1911s using Rainier 230gr. RNs, 4.0gr. Clays, OAL of 1.250" and a crimp of .469". I know that's a tighter crimp than most recommend, especially for plated bullets, but I can't argue with results. I've since switched bullets due to the cost of Rainiers going up, and I've done just as well using the smae specs for Precision Delta jacketed and Bayou Bullets molys.

[boz1911]

Houngan, on Nov 15 2009, 09:06 PM, said:

1.2 to 1.22 is a fine range to work in, shorter might save you some powder. I use 3.9 clays at 1.22 and get a bit lower numbers than you do.

H.

Are you seating and crimping on the same step? If so, you will save a lot of headaches by seating the bullet to the correct COL first then crimp with a second step.

[Walküre]

LarryP, on Nov 20 2009, 07:09 PM, said:

Duane Thomas, on Nov 18 2009, 03:44 AM, said:

I think the OP knows he needs a longer OAL, what he's asking is if the stuff he's loaded can be fired safely. I don't see any reason why not.

Larry, when it comes time to load new stuff, just do a few rounds and measure the OAL, get it where you want it, before cranking out mass quantities.

Thank you everyone. I knew I wanted longer ( 1.240 range) but my problem was getting everything right; crimp, seating depth with the OAL. I'm finally getting it right. (a little over 1.24, nice smooth crimp, and every case fits).

Thanks again,

LP

Good to hear.

When I was running 230gr RN, I was loading to ~1.255" OAL. My current loads are 200gr RS seated to ~1.196" OAL.