.45ACP + Titegroup

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Griffoneur

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I have reloaded a couple thousand .40 S&W 180gr Copper Plated bullets with 4.4gr of Titegroup which work great in my Norc NP-40.

I just got my new .45ACP and reloaded 70 rounds of 230gr Copper Plated RN with 4.7gr of Titegroup.

The spent cases are FILTHY. The inside of my pistol looks like I been shooting black powder. Accuracy is very good, but my hands are black after shooting 70 rounds!

My buddy suggested that maybe my "crimp" wasn't hard enough thus not forming a tight enough seal thus letting gases escape and causing incomplete combustion of the powder. My initial crimp was VERY light.

Sounds plausible to me. Or is this the nature of a 1911 pistol? I've reloaded 150 rounds with a more pronounced taper crimp on them, but I can't test them out till next weekend.

Any other sugestions? I had read that titegroup was a "dirty/messy" powder albeit accurate, but I don't get excessive fouling in my Norc! :bangHead:

Anyone have some advice?
 
Thats the same powder I used in it and I noticed that too, so I changed to Winchester 231, it seemed to be a little better, other than that the gun shoots good for you?
 
Are you using lead bullets in the 45acp but were using jacketed in the .40?
Could it possibly be the wax on the lead bullets? I know mine used to smoke like an SOB with certain powders and lead bullets...
 
RHall said:
Thats the same powder I used in it and I noticed that too, so I changed to Winchester 231, it seemed to be a little better, other than that the gun shoots good for you?
Click to expand...

Hi Bob,

The pistol shoots great! Pretty darn accurate.

I am using Fronteir 230gr Copper Plated RN with a minimal crimp.

I use Fronteir 180gr Copper Plated RN with a crimp on my .40S&W.

The 40 has MINIMAL fouling. The 45 has MAJOR fouling.
When I think about the inside of the pistol getting fouling, it makes more sense that maybe the crimp is too weak and allows gases to escape, thus preventing the case from fully expanding and sealing the chamber of the pistol. The feed ramp was full of residue, as well as the trigger assembly. Fouling should be limited to the barrel area.

If is still bad after next weekend, I will contact Freedom Ventures.
 
Hi,
I have reloaded titgroup for about 3 months and find it no more dirty than any other powder that I have used. (universal clays, clays, unique, 231)

All I'm looking for in my reloads is accuracy and reliability and titegroup fits the bill. I really don't care how dirty my gun gets it just needs to function.

As for the crimp causing incomplete combustion. did you find unburnt powder in the gun?

When I crimp the first couple of rounds, I wil pull them apart and look at the bullet to see if it has a visible crimp mark and adjust as needed. once you are happy with the crimp mark you die with a marker.( easer to see if it moves out of adjustment.)
 
I didn't find unburnt powder, but the residue is very sooty, much like stove soot. Soot being the leftovers from combustion.
If I may use the term regular residue, is dry. I find this residue more "greasy" in texture. If that makes sense?
 
With .45acp being a LP round as opposed to the .40 being a higher pressure you might be getting different burn rates.
 
I use the practically the same load as you for .45 ACP. My experience is the same, it seems to be a dirty powder but like 4runner says, not that different the other powder I have experience with (HS-6). I prefer Titegroup. Interesting comments about the crimp....when I pull apart a reloaded round, I don't see a crimp mark on the bullet but the bullet appears to be seated firmly. Should I be making some adjustments?
 
Colin said:
With .45acp being a LP round as opposed to the .40 being a higher pressure you might be getting different burn rates.
Click to expand...

Then theoretically, a more pronounced crimp should build higher pressure and therefore more complete or hotter combustion?

I am anxious to shoot the new batch of reloads on Friday. If that doesn't fix the "problem" then maybe the chamber is a bit too oversized and the cartridge can't expand enough to seal it?

Lots of questions, lots of "maybe's". :confused:
 
misfire said:
I use the practically the same load as you for .45 ACP. My experience is the same, it seems to be a dirty powder but like 4runner says, not that different the other powder I have experience with (HS-6). I prefer Titegroup. Interesting comments about the crimp....when I pull apart a reloaded round, I don't see a crimp mark on the bullet but the bullet appears to be seated firmly. Should I be making some adjustments?
Click to expand...


Hi,
I pull the loaded round apart because i was having issues with the bullet not being held tight enough in the case, and it would push back in to the case as it hit the feed ramp. I needed to find out if I was flaring the case to much or the crimp was not tight enough. As for making any adjustment it all depends if your having any issues ie. failing to feed ect.

The test I perform to see if there is enough crimp or friction between the case and the bullet is as fallows

1. measure a fresh reload with micrometer, lets say it measures 1.225"
take that loaded round and push the bullet end hard in to a solid object ( i use my press)

2. re measure the reload and see if you get a different measurement, if it moves 1-2 thousands who cares, but if it moves 10-20 thousands I would be adjusting the crimp or flare/powder charge dies as required.

the crimp on the bullet is to stop the bullet from moving back in to the case and help with reliable feeding.
 
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I agree with the pressure issue. I load titegroup for 9mm, .40 & .45. Lower pressure 9 & 40 practice ammo is filthy, but the higher pressure stuff approaching factory velocities runs quite clean. For .45 I'd stick to a slower powder if you want to keep it cleaner.
 
4runner said:
Hi,
I pull the loaded round apart because i was having issues with the bullet not being held tight enough in the case, and it would push push back in to the case as it hit the feed ramp. I needed to find out if I was flaring the case to much or the crimp was not tight enough. As for making any adjustment it all depends if your having any issues ie. failing to feed ect.

The test I perform to see if there is enough crimp or friction between the case and the bullet is as fallows

1. measure a fresh reload with micrometer, lets say it measures 1.225"
take that loaded round and push the bullet end hard in to a solid object ( i use my press)

2. re measure the reload and see if you get a different measurement, if it moves 1-2 thousands who cares, but if it moves 10-20 thousands I would be adjusting the crimp or flare/powder charge dies as required.

the crimp on the bullet is to stop the bullet from moving back in to the case and help with reliable feeding.
Click to expand...

4runner: :) Thanks, I haven't had any feeding problems. I tried your test and I believe that I'm good. I have experienced that 'greasy sludge' that Griff described once or twice. The rounds fed and fired okay and were accurate...I attributed it to shooting on a rainy day but this post has got me wonderring if something else was at play.....:redface:
 
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