Reloading 45 ACP

dchristian

I have a reloading problem concerning 45 ACP. I recently bought a full size Kimber Eclipse Custom II and have shot approximately 100 FMJ commercial ammo without any problem. Since I reload, I worked up some rounds with Hornady 200 gr. lead semi-wadcutter with 5.1 gr. of Unique powder. The result was not totally good. There were some jams from the magazine to the chamber and the point of impact was about 6 inches high at 45 feet. I checked the length of each round and matched them to the commercial ammo. I wonder if I need to increase the amount of powder as the Lee reloading die info calls for 7.1 gr. of powder. Do I merely need to break the pistol in?
I would appreciate any assistance.
Thanks,
dchristian

dchristian

If a spent shell is hard to get into the shell holder, it that an indication that it is time to trash it?
Thanks

bobski

sounds like your mainspring is too stiff. look into changing it to accomodate the lighter load.

former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.

rufe-snow

I would definitely run at least 400 more ball rounds through it, to be sure it's well broken in.

It would also be advisable to check the the barrel throat and the ramp area of the frame for smoothness. If there are noticable toolmarks or roughness, get the Dremal out and "POLISH ONLY" to mirror finish.

You didn't mention if your Kimber has adjustable sights? If it doesn't your going to have to do trial and error type experiments until you find a handload that is in register with the fixed sights.

Lastly some types of rifleing don't shoot plain lead handloads well. In the past I've had problems with rifleing in S & W Revolvers and 1911 barrels using rifleing cut with a EDM machine. Your pistols barrel might prefer FMJ or TMJ projectiles.

Rocklobster

Most 1911-style pistols do not feed semi-wadcutters well with standard magazines. Brownells sells a gizmo that will re-form the feed lips to solve the problem.

bobski

ah i forgot to mention that. the lip of the mag must be reformed to accomodate the semi wadcutter. the tools requires you to 'tinka-tink' the lips into a different shape. i think its called mag lip feed reforming tool.

former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.

dchristian

One more series of questions and I hope you will be patient. If I were to give up messing with semiwadcutters and go to a 230 gr. lead round note bullet, would that likely solve my problem? And if so, how much Unique powdeer should I use in a 230 gr. lead round nose?
Thanks,
dchristian

perry shooter

Most swc lead bullets have a sharp shoulder and most bulls-eye shooters adjust over all length of loaded round by takeing barrel out of pistol and checking to see if head of case is flush with the end of hood of barrel .use very little crimp and head space on shoulder of bullet.

Rocklobster

The 230 gr round nose bullet would do the job, but you'd lose some accuracy.

Xracer

With a 230 gr. LRN or FMJ, 6.0-6.3 gr. Unique gives an equivalent factory load or GI Ball load.

dchristian

Thank all of you for the information.
dchristian