Two Questions - .45ACP Lead and Dillon Powder Funnel

Kreech

Kreech

Member
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Location
Ottawa - NCRRA and RA
Hi All,

I just got my shipment of another top-end for my XL650 so that I can make some .45ACP lead loads. (The normal top-end is for jacketed.)


So, I got all set up and found out 2 things:

1) I didn't have a powder funnel for the .45ACP for this head.
I didn't buy another conversion kit, so I didn't get a funnel, and thus, I need a funnel.
Does anyone have one of these for sale in Canada these days?
I could just order another one from Dillon, I'm not sure what is cheaper or faster these days.
(Their shipping is REALLY expensive, and I still had to pay GST and PST +$5 across the border.)
Any opinions??


2) The lead rounds that I'm making are only just chambering. And, they don't usually pass the chamber-checker.
The lead is .4520/.4525" 200gr SWC from Wolf Bullets.
The jacketed is .4505/.4510 from Frontier (these pass CC and chamber just fine)
Cases are a mixture.
I expect that most of the problem is the larger bullet diameter
(Thanks for this suggestion JR!!)
The rounds seem to hang up where the base of the bullet just gently bulges the case.
Crimp isn't the answer - I've got just a bit, and a couple of dummies w/ more didn't make any difference.

One thought is to seat them so that the WC part of the SWC is flush w/ the case mouth, just like a .38spl WC.
Would I make the problem better or worse by seating the bullets very deep?
I am shooting reduced target loads, so I'm not really all that worried about powder volume, or should I be??
I haven't done this yet, and wanted to ask around first.
Any thoughts on feeding (I'll make up some dummies now and try it).
... time passes ...
OK, I made some dummies, seated down to the "WC" part of the bullet.
They chamber check, drop into the barrel nicely, and feed fine.
Is there any reason why I shouldn't put together some target/powderpuff loads with the bullets this deep?
COL is 1.215 (COL max for .45 is 1.275)

I posted a while back asking for powderpuff loads.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146813
Bullseye and 231 seems to be the favorite powders.
I'd like to try to use up my Unique - any thoughts??

Anyone want to add their favorites here??

OK, back to making jacketed...

Thank you,

Sean
 
I am a little confused about your getting 2 set ups -one for jacketed and the other for lead bullets- same caliber?
I have a Dillon 650 and load both lead and jacketed bullets with the same set up. The Dillon seater die has a plug that is reversible and you have to choose the best shape for the bullet that you are seating. The seater has to be adjusted with each change of bullet and has to be cleaned fairly frequently when using lead projectiles, but I see no need to change anything but the seater adjustment and the powder charge. You would use the same powder funnel.
For those non gauging rounds I would recommend a Lee Factory Crimp die in place of the Dillon crimp die.(About $12 below the border) The Lee has a carbide ring that squeezes the loaded round down to a standard diameter. When I use this, I only rarely produce a round that does not gauge. I have multiple tool heads set up for calibers 9mm, .40S&W, .38SPEC, 357 Mag. and .45ACP and on each one the crimp die has been replaced by a Lee FCD
Regards,DocAitch
 
Hello DocAitch,

You said it, change the seater die, and the powder charge.
But, I also change powders, so that means emptying the powder, readjusting the die, etc, etc, etc.

I decided that I didn't want to keep on adjusting things. 2 pins, swap, continue, and the same to swap back.

I use Lee for some of my rifle rounds - I'll check out the pistol factory crimp die.

Sean
 
You might have problems with the Lee factory crimp die and lead bullets. The sizing ring on it may squeeze your .452 lead bullets down to .451 or smaller and make them less accurate or cause other problems. I've never used unjacketed bullets with a FCD before but I've heard of problems on other forums. Double check your bullet diameter after crimping if you try out the Lee FCD.
 
Hi Ken,

I have the quick-change set, so I have the powder die, I just need the funnel that goes into it so that I can bell the .45 case.

It looks like it is part of the conversion kit P/N 13782 -- Funnel E.

Sean
 
Last edited:
Hi All,

I think I learned something last night...

It is very easy to change the powder measure on a XL650 without changing the belling adjustment (2 screws and the return rod).

Thus, it is easy to get the funnel out of one head and into the other one.

I've succeeded in making the lead to jacketed change without any adjustments, but I didn't get down to "just 2 pins"...

This was a bit of an 'expensive' learning curve, but it's done now...

OK, back to loading...

Sean
 
Kreech said:
2) The lead rounds that I'm making are only just chambering. And, they don't usually pass the chamber-checker.
The lead is .4520/.4525" 200gr SWC from Wolf Bullets.
The jacketed is .4505/.4510 from Frontier (these pass CC and chamber just fine)
Click to expand...

This was a big problem when I first started reloading. The lead bullets made the case too fat and failed on the gauge checker. And the ammo would not chamber well in the gun.

For many .452 sized bullets work in their guns but if your's has a tight competition chamber it won't work. I bought a Lee lead bullet .451 sizer and those bullets worked just fine and were accurate. Now I just get my lead bullets sized to .451 at the factory (locally made). Same price just saves me the hassle of running them through the sizer.

The only change I usually make to the 650 for the 45 ACP is when switching to a SWC bullet, just flip the seater and go. I don't change the seater depth just leave it as it is good. Maybe adjust the powder.

You should have no problems finding a load for Unique in your manuals.

As for the "expensive" lesson, just sell the extra 45 ACP die set and use the rest for another calibre. You do have another calibre to load for right? :rolleyes:


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