.45 ACP bullet seating problem

94fuelie

Hello Friends,
I have just started reloading .45 ACP for my Colt 1991A1. I have been going slowly with great caution. I am using a Rockchucker with Lee carbide dies. I resized the cases and primed them and measured the powder (Power Pistol 6.7 grains to start). I went to seat the bullets last night(239 grain FMJ) and had a lot of trouble getting them to go in straight. I had a hard time getting them into the case straight and the copper jacket will strip off outside the case. Do I need to get a resizer that will open the cases a little wider? Thank in advance for any help you can offer!

94fuelie

CORRECTION! I am using 230 grain FMJ bullets.

jonk

The lee dies feature a powder through expander die. Sounds like you either didn't use it or didn't have it in deep enough. You should see a definite flare to the case mouth after expansion with pistol dies. The seater and/or crimp dies then remove this.

94fuelie

Jonk,

You are right. I did not use the powder thru expansion die. I will try this. Thank you!

dcs shooters

Set your expander die to just put a little flare on the case mouth.
That should cure the problem.

94fuelie

Friends,

I did use the powder through expander die and the bullets fit right in. I did not use it at first because the RCBS funnel does not fit into the powder adaptor on the die. I guess I need a Lee funnel. I will proceed and let you know what happens.

Thanks again!

perry shooter

I also like a TAPER CRIMP die for 45 ACP crimp to case mouth .469 +or - .002. With a roll crimp die you are still pushing the bullet down the same time you are crimping this can cause problem if case length varies

94fuelie

The bullets are going in fine. I am only loading a few until I can get out and shoot a bit.

Is less crimp better with FMJ rounds?

perry shooter

If you put a loaded round next to a straight edge the mouth should be about >002 smaller at the very case mouth then 1/4 inch below case mouth

bpost

quote:Originally posted by 94fuelie
The bullets are going in fine. I am only loading a few until I can get out and shoot a bit.

Is less crimp better with FMJ rounds?


You do not crimp a 45 ACP as you would for a revolver. If anything, use a taper crimp as described by Perry Shooter. If you crimp the case into the bullet the case may not be able to headspace on the mouth when chambered.

94fuelie

So, I should use a taper crimp. This must mean I need to pick up another die that will do that.

I did run all the loads through and cycle the pistol by hand. Most of them chambered just fine. I will look into the taper crimp before firing any rounds.

Thanks everyone for all the help!

B17-P51

The Lee die set comes (is manufactured) with a taper crimp.

94fuelie

Well, I have the Lee four die set, so I must have used the taper crimp. Most of the cartridges cycled through okay. When I put the straight edge against the cartridges, I could not see a taper with the light behind it. Of course, .002 is pretty small.

B-17 P-51? My dad was a B-17 pilot in the 8th Air Force 95th Bomb Group (H). The P-51's were his "little buddies" especially when they went all the way to Berlin with him! He flew 35 missions and he is now 89 years old.

Thanks for the info!