.45 not chambering properly

1300_stainless

1300_stainless

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Hey I have a noob question. Im using a lee progressive loader with the 3 dies on top(1st resizes case and pops old primer, 2nd inserts new primer while widening case mouth and adding powder, and 3rd crimps bullet in). Im loading .45acp with lead bullets. My problem is: A lot of the bullets get some lead on the outside of the case, most of the bullets fit in the chamber gauge when I try them but when Im shooting they usualy dont cycle in the gun (1911) very well. The slide isnt going fully ahead and usualy all it takes is a slight tap. Sometimes it will need a bigger smack or it will jam but for the most part just a little tap. Anyone have any idea on whats going wrong or maybe what I need to adjust on the press? Please dont rag on me or tell me to search as Ive done so and now Im asking for some experianced advice.

Thanks
 
I'd suggest a taper crimp die.

This from another forum.

Q: I've been reloading .45 ACP for a while using Oregon Trails cast bullets. When I seat the bullet into the case some of the lube gets shaved off and builds up around the case mouth. This usually prevents the round from fully chambering. Is there a way to prevent this? I have resorted to a rag soaked in alcohol to remove it. This is very time consuming and messy. Another problem that occurs occasionally is the seated bullet expands the case too much and the round won't chamber.

A: There are a couple of things you can try. First, clean the dies. Many times the lube also builds up inside the die and leaves deposits on the case. This should become a routine chore every few hundred rounds or when you begin experiencing lube mess on the amino. If you use alcohol on the dies, be sure and oil them before storage. Alcohol also removes all trace of preservative and leaves the dies susceptible to rust. Try, flaring the case mouth a hair more. Don't overdo it, but do it enough to eliminate the lube shaving. Third, and this is the only thing that'll cost you money, buy a Lee Factory Crimp Die for the .45 ACP. It resizes the case body with a carbide sizer as well as putting a taper crimp on the bullet. This will iron out any case bulging problems. Back out your seating die and readjust it to just seat the bullet and apply the crimp as a separate step. The Lee die is available for 12 bucks or so at Midway (573) 445-6363, www.midwayusa.com.
 
Try adjusting seating depth, try a little longer.

Also some lead bullets have a ridge above the last lube groove make sure that is flush with the case mouth.
 
One problem with loading lead bullets in semis is the cases tend to have wildly variable lengths, and the bullets are not always identical where the seater die presses them into the case.

It sounds like you are seating and crimping in one station. It doesn't work perfectly.

While it would add greatly to your production time, I would seriously concider just seating your bullets at the last station, then crimp them in a seperate process.

Bell the cases just enough to allow the bullet to sit on the case mouth with a very tiny bit more flair than the shank of the bullet. Crimp only enough to return the case mouth to the bullet.
 
1. Don't seat and crimp in one station
2. Check seating depth, maybe they are seated too far out.
3. Check bullet dia.....a larger dia. then required will expand case enough that it may not fit, combined with a tight chamber.
4. If you have not belled the case enough, it will shave lead right from the outset.
 
"...get some lead on the outside..." Put a wee bit bigger bell on the case mouth when you resize. Turn the expander plug down a tick. Just enough to be able to sit a bullet in and have it stay there.
The .45 must use a taper crimp only. Make sure your crimping die is a taper crimp die.
"...fit in the chamber gauge..." Take out the barrel and use it as your guage. You don't need to check every round though. 10% will do.
 
Keep in mind that although the Lee Factory sizer/crimp die will restore it to the proper dimensions, it will not solve your shaving issues. You need to address that first, and like has been stated earlier, sounds like you need a bit more bell(flare) to the case mouth in the charging stage. Chances are that will solve the problem but I also use the Lee factory die as a final step to ensure that each round is as close to perfect as can be, eliminating any feeding failures.
Good luck.
dB
 
"...know someone who has..." It has to be a taper crimp. The cartridge headspaces on the case mouth. Lee does make one, but unless your buddy's is a taper crimp die, it won't help.
 
Overcrimping will give you headaches as well. Crimp only enuff to take the flare out of the casing. For the shaved lead, someone already gave you the remedy!
Good luck.
 
Get you a Lee Carbide factory crimp die. It taper crimps and post sizes the case. They work great. It goes in the last station of the press.
 
we're not told what lee progressive it is, just that it's a lee progressive- if it's a 1000 , there are ONLY 3 stations anyway-that means either screw/unscrew or a turret to accomodate the lee factory crimp, or a secondary single stage, dedicated to that die- anyway, personal experience - i use NO crimp at all in the 45 with lswc's 200 grain, but there's a pretty good BELL on the cases- it depends on the gun
 
What diameter is your lead? If your lead is too large it will cause the slide to stop early, a LEE FCD with oversized lead will cause even more headaches. When we put the round into the FCD, the die squeezes the round down in diameter. Lead doesn't rebound after squeezing but brass does and often the lead will fall out of the case because there is no neck tension.

Do your rounds look swelled out at the projectile?

Cheers,
Rob
 
Allrighty... I put a little more bell on the casings, seated the bullet in the 3rd stage and then used the lee factory crimp die in a 2nd press as the last step. Mesured the length of every 5th round with a digital mic and they were in spec. While the barrel was out for cleaning I checked random rounds and they all dropped right in the chamber. Just have to try and fire them wed night.:50cal:
 
Sounds like you have solved it...Annoying isnt it? Well, at least you have learned as this can happen to anybody with any caliber.
Well done
dB
 
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