.45ACP Reload Issues

[pontcanna]

I've enjoyed my Norinco 1911 for over a year now. No problems until lately, it's been jamming a lot on my handloads. I have a new box of factory ammo to try later this week, but the local gunsmith thinks it's less likely a problem with a gun than a problem with my reloads. I've been using Wolf 230 grain LRN with 4.6 grains of Bullseye, which has worked before. I have new and old magazines, the newest ones from a group buy here, good quality. Doesn't seem to make any difference. Often the first round or two fires OK, then it jams on the 3rd round, or subsequently. Sometimes I can push the slide back into place (it's out of position just slightly, enough not to allow the safety to be applied) but often I have to do the "three handed shuffle" to start things again.

It occurred to me that the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die might assist somehow if my brass is out of synch? Any ideas?

 

[Walter Hornby]

if you are using lead bullets it could be a matter of simply cleaning your die(s) out. i can remember when i first started loadind 45 having my seating die all gummed up. i can't remember whither the crimp die was as well.

 

[Rod B]

I had a similar problem. I lowered my seating die a little to apply a bit more crimp. It cured the problem.

You may want to try this before buying another die.

I agree with Walter. I use Lee liquid alox on my cast lead bullets & find I have to clean out the die about every 200 rounds.

Rod.

 

[island]

I had the same issue with the same gun, and a bit more crimp sorted it out for me. Also make sure you're seating deep enough, as I've done that one wrong as well

 

[buckshot]

I would chamber check your rounds to see if they are sized properly or not. Pull the barrel from the 1911 and just drop a sampling of rounds in to see if they sit in the barrel properly or not.

If they dont, you will need to look at your crimp, bullet seating depth, overall length and if the case is getting properly resized or not.

I use a chamber checker on all rounds that I intend to use at a match, and I sample about 5 or 6 out of every hundred for non match ammo just to ensure all is proper.

 

[Six Star]

I have NEVER had a problem with any of my pistol reloads since I started using the Lee Factory Crimp Die with each caliber. It resizes the entire cartridge when it applies the crimp. It works particularly well with .45ACP lead bullet reloads.
Cleaning out your dies is a good suggestion....lead and lube can build up after a while.
Then get the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

 

[OneBarfly]

Crimp....Crimp....Crimp

Might be surprised how much taper crimp is needed for reliable feeding. Some chambers are tighter than others.......

 

[sevoman]

Have to second the use of a LEE FCD for a 45ACP with lead bullets.Since I got one I have never had a failure to feed in my STI again(which has a fairly tight chamber).Some posts suggest that accuracy may be affected by these,but Ive never noticed this at all.

Other possible causes of the jams you described are;if you havent belled the case enough a small bit of lead can be shaved off,this will prevent the slide from closing fully.Also check that the chamber is clean and also that your recoil spring isnt worn out.

 

[PoFF]

I had a similar problem, that I fixed by increasing the OAL of the cartridge to 1.250" (from 1.230")

 

[pontcanna]

Thanks all. Bought the Lee Factory Crimp Die for .45ACP (from Higginsons) and all is well - also cleaned out a lot of lube/crud from the bullet seater.

 

[sunray]

"...cleaned out a lot of lube/crud from the bullet seater..." That'll do it. The assorted crud changes the OAL and likely prevented a proper taper crimp.