45ACP Reloads hanging up during slide cycle

wkmiller

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Hello Folks

I recently started reloading for my Ruger SR1911. I'm using 200gr LSWC projectiles on top of 5.0gr of Titegroup. The press is a Dillon 550B with Dillon carbide dies. When done reloading the ammo I notice that the case is distorted (outside diameter seems to vary form base to neck of case). I believe the distortion is caused by flaring and the crimping process. I have played with die positioning but doesn't seem to make any difference to the shape of the reload. I am thinking it is either the shape of the case or the LSWC projectile causing the rounds to hang up. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
feeding, is it getting to chamber but the slide stops the last half mm? seen this with projectiles that are full round nose, the projectile will not enter the barrel and hangs up and is tough to extract, fixed mine by seating the projectile deeper in the brass, seeing a expansion of the casing is not unusual but will still chamber
 
I think the variation you are seeing in the OD of the case is from the bullet slightly expanding the case when it is seated. As long as it is uniform around the circumference of the casing it shouldn't be a problem.

As laurencen suggested, try changing the seating depth. I shoot the same style bullets with my 1911 and I seat them as deep as possible, with the case mouth just reaching the bevelled edge of the bullet. OAL is about 1.225" in my case

45swcOAL_zpseb476d76.jpg


This picture is also a good reference for OAL:
 
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I had a similar problem with my new Sig. Its either the mag spring pressure in the new mags needs some time to wear in ( it only happens to the first 3 out of 8) or it has something to do with the very slight bulge where the bullet is seated in the brass. I bought a Lee Factory Crimp Die and ran 200 rounds through it as this solved a feeding problem in my .40 S&W Beretta. I haven't been to the range yet but I will report back on how it went.
 
What is the OAL? And what type of crimp you using?

the distortion, similar to a coke bottle, is normal if you are resizing the full case.

i load my lswc at an OAL 1.250, with a taper crimp
 
Ensure it is passing the 'kerplunk' test per post #5. I've also seen copper plated RN projectiles hanging during a feeding cycle. What is your current OAL?

When you taper crimp, a little trick that I do is after a do a crimp, I lower the ram slightly, and turn the cartridge 1/4 turn, and crimp once more to have a uniform crimp.
 
When you taper crimp, a little trick that I do is after a do a crimp, I lower the ram slightly, and turn the cartridge 1/4 turn, and crimp once more to have a uniform crimp.

Except he's using a progressive press... :rey2

OP, what is your OAL ?
Odds are you will simply have to seat them deeper to resolve the feeding issue.
 
I had feeding issues in my Glock 21 using SWC. The rim of the case being extracted catches on the shoulder of the SWC next in line in the mag. This causes the case to slip off the extractor and when the slide moves forward and strips the next round it jams up the works. Seating the bullet deeper helped greatly with this issue but not 100%. I haven't experimented further.
 
I have a single stage Rockchucker press "BUT" I always seat and crimp in different operations. If you don't it is very easy to cause the case to bulge

Also check your die and make sure you are using a taper crimp.

And last but not least buy a case gauge to pre-check your loaded rounds.

lee9mmsizer007_zps887b7581.jpg
 
I have a single stage Rockchucker press "BUT" I always seat and crimp in different operations. If you don't it is very easy to cause the case to bulge

Also check your die and make sure you are using a taper crimp.

And last but not least buy a case gauge to pre-check your loaded rounds.

lee9mmsizer007_zps887b7581.jpg


^^ Agree with Ed on this one esp the case guage
 
Too avoid headaches one solution is to run the ammo through Lee Factory Crimp Die.
I had a similar problem with my new Sig. Its either the mag spring pressure in the new mags needs some time to wear in ( it only happens to the first 3 out of 8) or it has something to do with the very slight bulge where the bullet is seated in the brass. I bought a Lee Factory Crimp Die and ran 200 rounds through it as this solved a feeding problem in my .40 S&W Beretta. I haven't been to the range yet but I will report back on how it went.
 
You are really talking about the same thing, sort of. A standard taper crimp die does just that, crimps. The#Lee#Carbide#Factory#Crimp die for auto-pistol cartridges is a taper crimp die that adds a carbide ring to size the case body at the same time as you crimp.

The FCd is principally intended for bullets of nominal or, if you will, "Standard" diameter for caliber. Either with slightly thicker brass or bullets larger than "standard" it can re-size the bullet at the same time it is sizing the case. Not so much with the tapered 9mm case, though.

"Standard for caliber" would mean:

.38/357 .357"
.44 .429"
.40/10mm .401"#

And on, and on......

If you load or need bullets bullets larger than the nominal diameter for your caliber the FCD isn't going to work for you.
 
I had the same issues at first when I started using the LSWC. I was tutored a bit by some. First thing I had to do was trim all the brass - important if you are using a progressive to get consistent seating depth. My recipe is 200 gr LSWC (bullet barn)case OAL: .898" Seating depth / COAL: 1.245" to 1.250" over 4.2 grains of Green dot with a good crimp at the end. My finger nail has a hard time catching the shoulder of the brass, and the LSWC needs to stick out +/- 1/32" (some guys say the thickness of a penny or dime) for a bearing surface to feed against
 
never trim 45acp, never met anyone who does, the issue is more the projectile is stopping the round fully chambering, you can try crimping but I would seat the projectile more and see if it will chamber, if it is the projectile all the crimping will not fix the issue
 
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