.45 ACP headspace problems

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45LC

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So I've been beating my head against the wall on this load.
I bought a bag of Campro .45 230gr JHP for my Norinco .45 ACP. Started building a dummy round to check the headspace on them, and in my barrel I cannot get them to pass the plunk test unless I seat them down to 1.156" COL.
That is very short and no load data supports a COL that short. My initial thought is to reduce the powder charge to compensate for the lost case capacity. Thinking about 5.2 or 5.3 gr unique, which is on the low end for that weight, but I hate guessing on chamber pressure. Has anyone had this problem with the campros, or is my chamber short, because this is driving me up the wall!
 
Yes, the truncated cone. Ball projectiles can be seated to proper depth. It's just this bullet as the ogive is up so high that it contacts rifling until I bury it deep in the case.
 
45LC said:
Yes, the truncated cone. Ball projectiles can be seated to proper depth. It's just this bullet as the ogive is up so high that it contacts rifling until I bury it deep in the case.
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Maybe "short" in relation to modern 1911s. Probably the original spec.
 
I had the same problem with 200gr tc campro bullets in a norinco, I was loading target loads and didn’t encounter any pressure signs if I recall correctly I backed the powder off 1/10 gr from my usual load to 4.3gr of WST and seated them to headspace correctly.
 
That isn't a headspace issue - it incompatibility between the bullet configuration and the leade.
 
Gatehouse said:
Did you check Campros own data sheets? I have noticed a few differences with them and other bullets. Might be worth a look.
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Campros data sheet lists a 1.220 COL with this bullet for the .45 ACP. That's what the screwy part is. Campro says that it should work and yet it doesn't seem that it does.
 
tiriaq said:
That isn't a headspace issue - it incompatibility between the bullet configuration and the leade.
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Thats my worry that this pistol just won't work with this bullet. It seems strange that the lead would be that far off.
 
My norinco locked up fine with swc and hardball type bullets when loaded to book OAL, it seemed to have problems with campro TC bullets unless loaded to a shorter OAL than campro stated specs.
 
45LC said:
Campros data sheet lists a 1.220 COL with this bullet for the .45 ACP. That's what the screwy part is. Campro says that it should work and yet it doesn't seem that it does.
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Campro has no control over how the chamber is configured. Considerable variance between manufacturers.

That bullet won't fit your gun at that COL and you have two choices - change bullets, or seat these deeper. I would email or phone Campro, explain what's happening and see if they have any suggestions for load data using the shorter COL.
 
45LC said:
Yes, the truncated cone. Ball projectiles can be seated to proper depth. It's just this bullet as the ogive is up so high that it contacts rifling until I bury it deep in the case.
Click to expand...

I have the same issue with the CamPro 200 gr. TC in my HK CS. Have to seat them deeper. No pressure signs and accuracy is good, just have to seat deeper. They work fine in a number of other .45's including JR carbine and Kriss Vector at the Cam Pro recommended COL.
 
Thanks for the insight guys. I would like to use these bullets and my current powder charge is 0.7 gr below the top end. With a COL of 1.155 they headspaced fine with about 0.015 jump. A few test rounds at that cycled just fine and showed no sign of excess pressure.
 
45LC said:
Thanks for the insight guys. I would like to use these bullets and my current powder charge is 0.7 gr below the top end. With a COL of 1.155 they headspaced fine with about 0.015 jump. A few test rounds at that cycled just fine and showed no sign of excess pressure.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I am having exactly the same problem with the same projectiles in the same gun. I also have a Blackhawk revolver that shoots 45 acp, and the loaded rounds will NOT go all the way into the cylinder. Hmmm. Might have to do a shorter COL and a light load....
 
45LC said:
So I've been beating my head against the wall on this load.
I bought a bag of Campro .45 230gr JHP for my Norinco .45 ACP. Started building a dummy round to check the headspace on them, and in my barrel I cannot get them to pass the plunk test unless I seat them down to 1.156" COL.
That is very short and no load data supports a COL that short. My initial thought is to reduce the powder charge to compensate for the lost case capacity. Thinking about 5.2 or 5.3 gr unique, which is on the low end for that weight, but I hate guessing on chamber pressure. Has anyone had this problem with the campros, or is my chamber short, because this is driving me up the wall!
Click to expand...

Then I would seat them at 1.153 or so. Unless the extra seating depth is either compressing your powder, or very close to it, you will be fine. If it is you can use a different powder. I use HP38 which leaves lots of room, and functions reliably and consistently.

Me, I load DRG 200g Cast Lead SWCs, I run them in my Nork, and I have zero issues. I do not worry about COAL, rather function should always be your primary concern.
 
I don't have any tips, but my experience is that the 230gr CamPro (RN & JHP) run fine in my Glock 41 (I use either HP38 or Bullseye). I do run the ammo through a case gauge before shooting.
 
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