.45LC bullets are longer and smaller after firing?

[Brianma65]

My recovered .45LC bullets are longer in length and smaller in diameter after firing. Before firing they are .668 in length and .452 in diameter. After firing they are .672 in length and.445 in diameter.... Is this normal

 

[Camaroguy]

Sounds like the barrel is swaging them down and any time you make metal smaller in diameter, it gets longer.

 

[Brianma65]

I figured as much, ( why they got longer) but is this normal or is my barrel extra tight? It seems like they got a lot smaller. I figure I can reload these , just don't need to bell the cases.

 

[scott585]

you plan on reloading already fired bullets?

 

[Brianma65]

Why not , the 9 mm are still exact same size and are in great shape , other than the lands marks. The .45LC are a bit smaller in diameter though. And I've fired off a couple hundred 9 mm already , without any issues.

 

[Camaroguy]

I've recovered quite a few .45 fmj bullets that looked good enough to reload. Haven't tried yet, don't think I will.

 

[Brianma65]

I've recovered quite a few .45 fmj bullets that looked good enough to reload. Haven't tried yet, don't think I will.

I reloaded some plated .45 LC , that I recovered ,about 2 wks ago. They shot fine. The problem now is that the lead bullets have gotten to skinny. The plated one are much better but still a bit smaller. My concern is if my barrel is tighter than normal, maybe I should be using smaller in diameter bullets. Maybe the .451?

 

[LUTNIT]

Considering the forces involved, it could be deforming on impact as well. Would be difficult to tell.

I don't reuse recovered bullets even if they look good enough to load again. Saving $.25 for a bullet isn't worth risking a $200-300 barrel with installation (assuming it's a revolver, not a semi). The risk is likely small, I know, but still not worth it in my mind. Some fine grit, sand, or a tiny rock embedded in the jacket that you missed and your barrel wont be thanking you. I do melt the lead out of recovered bullets for casting though.

 

[Lee Enfield]

You didn't explain what gun you are shooting them out of?

 

[ljc]

I wouldn't reuse them unless I was putting them in a sabot they,re probably full of abrasive/grit

 

[Spawn-Inc]

i was ready to laugh at all the people who say not to shoot them again, but the possible embedded grit is a dam good point. although if it was cast lead bullets i would shoot them over and over... after recasting each time

 

[Brianma65]

They're .45 LC , shot out of a Uberti El Patron. And they were picked out of a snow bank. As the snow is melting I'm finding them. I found about 100 .45 LC and 500 9mm yesterday. It's not about the money it's just that they look perfect other than the lands marks.