bullet bulges out the casing when seated

KotKotofeich

KotKotofeich

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
77   0   0
Location
Ottawa Valley
To the point it cannot be chambered.

A sized case chambers fine.

Bullet is a campro 300 gr and the dia measures at .460 - is that the problem? Too big and should be .454? Can I run them through a sizer?

itIVfOHh.jpg


Seems to be not centered in the case - it bulges out one side more than the other.

Using Lee dies.

Not my first rodeo but the first time reloading for this caliber. Never happened to me before.

I seem to recall a similar question was asked, but can't seem to find it...
 
I assume you're feeling resistance to chambering in a... what, bolt action, lever action? At what point does it start?

Are you crimping the bullets during/after seating?

If so, what happens with a bullet seated to the same length but with no crimp?
 
Try a little more flare and make sure bullet is as straight to the case as possible. One trick I found that works is to have the press ram at the bottom of its stroke with pressure on the handle. that keeps the case from moving around when you place the bullet on it. Works well for my 44/40.
 
450bushmaster in a semi.

No crimp. Was going for a plunk test in the barrel before crimping.

Flared as much as the die will do - expander bottoms out.

Stops about 1/16 before fully chambering.

My theory is bad bullets - too big out of spec - should be 452-454 according to the labelling but are 460 when measuring...
 
Last edited:
There are two types of .45 cal bullets. The most common is .458" in diameter the other type is 0.452" in diameter. I think you've got the wrong bullet for your 450 Bushmaster. That cartridge uses .452" bullets. Hornady makes 250gr bullets for your cartridge. The Campro bullets you have are for other .45cal cartridge types. A couple of thou over nominal wouldn't cause problems but 8 thou is a bit much as you found out.
 
RifleDude said:
There are two types of .45 cal bullets. The most common is .458" in diameter the other type is 0.452" in diameter. I think you've got the wrong bullet for your 450 Bushmaster. That cartridge uses .452" bullets. Hornady makes 250gr bullets for your cartridge. The Campro bullets you have are for other .45cal cartridge types. A couple of thou over nominal wouldn't cause problems but 8 thou is a bit much as you found out.
Click to expand...

Here is the answer to your problem. You need to buy a 45-70 now so you can use those bullets ...... ;)
 
BattleRife said:
If Campro is putting .460" bullets into a box that says .454" bullets you need to get on the phone to them. That's a problem.
Click to expand...

I think the OP just bought the wrong bullet by mistake thinking all 45 calibre bullets are the same diameter. I don't know if Campro even makes a 300 grain 45 calibre pistol bullet.
 
Thanks everyone, it was staring me in the face and I didn't quite connect the dots.

They were given to me in an open box that's marked 454 a long time ago. I'm now thinking the box got reused.

Can I size them down? 300gr... They are kinda light for a 45-70, no?

Otherwise I might use them in 45-70 - I do have a remington lee.... ;)
 
HI; I have bought junk from auctions. Then weight checked, size checked , then lead pencil checked. (take various hardness lead pencil and scratch or skip off the lead bullet to guess hardness)
Never believe a gift horse, it could be Trojan.
 
KotKotofeich said:
Thanks everyone, it was staring me in the face and I didn't quite connect the dots.

They were given to me in an open box that's marked 454 a long time ago. I'm now thinking the box got reused.

Can I size them down? 300gr... They are kinda light for a 45-70, no?

Otherwise I might use them in 45-70 - I do have a remington lee.... ;)
Click to expand...

being as those are jacketed bullets, I don't think you will be sizing them down.
 
There is a thread or 2 about sizing plated and jacketed bullets. The consensus was that it should work okay in most cases.

If you have a use for them just getting more of the right size night be the path of least resistance.
 
Are you crimping as you are seating?
If you are, try seating to depth first then re-adjust the die to crimp as a separate step.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom