Odd .45 ACP Problem

ATOM

ATOM

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
22   0   0
Location
Calgary
Been reloading a long time but have not seen this before and would appreciate any advice or thoughts.

I basically reload two types of .45 ACP, all with Winchester cases and CCI large pistol primers. The one is a spooky-accurate target load with Speer 200 gr LSWC bullets over 4.4 gr of Bullseye.

The other type is a variety of higher-power loads, everything from 185 gr JHP to 230 gr MC, using mainly Bullseye and Unique.

Here's the problem. I get maybe 5% misfires with the light LSWC loads. If I try firing them again, they all work fine. I've had no misfires whatever with the full-power loads. I'm not getting stovepiping or misfeeds or hangfires or failures to eject - just some of them not firing the first time. Same pistol.

Thoughts?
 
High primers is my first thought. second thought is not enough crimp and the gun is not quite locking up but does after the first attempt. third thought is leading of the chamber again causing failure to lock up.
 
x3 on #3
When you get a misfire is there a mark on the primer? ie light hit or no hit?
Take out your barrel and one of the misfired rounds and check if it easily goes in and out. Even press it in the chamber with your thumb and see if it rotates. It will stick and not rotate if too long of OAL or dirty chamber.
 
I agree that the issue is likely due to lock up - another option the recoil spring is too strong (maybe 1-2#?) for the light loads.
 
My guess would be that the LSWC loads are not going fully into the chamber. When the firing pin hits the primer, it is pushing the cartridge forward slightly, but enough to soften the hit causing a misfire.
Try just a little more crimp & as suggested, check for build up in the chamber & clean it out.
 
I appreciate your help, guys.

I generally shoot both types of loads during the same range session and generally load up both at the same time afterwards. In other words, I prime all the empty hulls at the same time; the production line then shifts between the two loads, using the same equipment, same dies. If there was a primer depth problem, I strongly suspect that the laws of averages would have had me with misfires in both types. So I don't think it's that.

As to the crimp, I generally use calipers to check the first few in each batch until the case diameter at the mouth is within spec. That said, it seems possible and, while I don't think that's the problem, I will make a point of taking the calipers to the range to verify next time. Good idea.



flegual: When you get a misfire is there a mark on the primer? ie light hit or no hit?
Click to expand...

I've been shooting for how long and didn't think to check that? f:P: They're going to take away my Fess Parker Fan Club membership pin and decoder ring. Good idea, will check.



I will also make a point of checking for leading. I suspect however that if leading was the issue, the buildup would have been affecting both types of loads when they entered the chamber. Again, it's a possibility and thanks for that.


I will also check for the slide being fully forward and locked.


Experimentation time...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom