what am i doing wrong? update 1/14/14

boombag13

boombag13

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hi all,
im having an issue where my reloads are getting stuck ofter being fired & locking up the slide on my 1911, (its a norc) i recently got some 225gr FP's, the overall length is 1.25, & i'm crimping them, it doesnt happen everytime probobly 1-2 out of every mag but i have a hell of a time geeting the slide to move when it does, actually keep a rubber mallet in my range box just incase but i worried im going to move the sights when tapping the slide. what are your thoughts?
 
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Need more info, powder charge, every detail helps, like case length on each, etc. are you resizing it fully, too much crimp on some bulging case?
 
How much crimp are you putting on it? Are you using a taper crimp or roll crimp? If you're not sure, what brand dies are they? You only need to crimp to 0.469" to 0.471"
 
Have u tried factory ammo? Could be the firearm not the ammo more info is needed . Is the firearm new used? Did u check the case length before loading them ect and all the ones about would help
 
Oh, you can strip the gun down and use the barrel as a gauge ie. drop the ammo into the barrel and then invert the barrel and see if the ammo falls out easily. Also note where the ammo sits when fully inserted into the barrel.
 
Are you somehow geting a bulge around the base area? Once you do get a stuck case out, have you checked it in a case gauge for fit? Most times when this happens with my 40 cases, it's a bulge and I've started to use a bulge buster to get them working right.
 
Are your cases trimmed to the correct lenght? .45 ACP, like most other straight wall rimless case headspaces at the case mouth. A too long case will raise pressure and may be hard to extract.
 
I would tend to agree with Trinimon above. Terminology is important here. With 45ACP, there really is no "crimp", but instead a removal of the belling you put on the mouth to get the bullet to seat, plus just a smidge extra. If you crimp too much, the pressures climb to higher extremes to get the bullet out. Couple that with a big bullet and possibly a fast powder and that can lead to dangerous ground. The loaded case should have a slight cokebottle shape where the seated bullet stretches out the case a bit, but as stated above, the last milimeter or less of the case mouth should measure a thousandth of an inch or two less. The only real reason for any crimp at all on most autoloading ammo is to take off the sharp edges to prevent feeding issues.

With the cases getting stuck as you describe, it sounds like the case is swelling against the chamber so tightly it is hard to remove, but your extractor is still locking tightly on the rim which is preventing the slide from moving. It doesn't sound to me to be a gun issue, and I cannot say I have seen cases swell this badly as to be jammed like that. I have seen cases begin to stick like that with a dirty chamber though. If you have to hammer the hell out of them to pull the bullets out you can guess they may be over crimped :)

As far as cases bulging, you can easily tell this before you shoot them. Again as mentioned, use your chamber as a gauge, or a real case gauge which is usually tighter than most chambers. If the bullet plops in and out no problem, the bulge shouldn't be the issue. Once the bullet is in the chamber you use as a gauge, you should be able to spin it fairly easy as well. If not your bullet may be touching the rifling and may need to be seated a smidge deeper. I have reloaded cases dozens of times without a bulge buster and I tend to stick near factory level loads. Nor have I ever trimmed a pistol case. I applaud those that do trim, but I have never had a reason to do so myself. Rifle cases on the other hand, I trim every, or every other reloading.
 
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sorry its taken so long to reply with the requested info,
case length is 0.897, using Lee deluxe 4pc dies, its a taper crimp
i believe, 6 grains of unique, yes i've did the barrel "plunk" test (i do for every cartridge) & yes ive used factory ammo & only have this issue with some (not all) reloads, thanks to those that have already posted & to those that will
 
boombag13 said:
sorry its taken so long to reply with the requested info,
case length is 0.897, using Lee deluxe 4pc dies, its a taper crimp
i believe, 6 grains of unique, yes i've did the barrel "plunk" test (i do for every cartridge) & yes ive used factory ammo & only have this issue with some (not all) reloads, thanks to those that have already posted & to those that will
Click to expand...

Does the cartridge get stuck on the way into the chamber or adter you have fired the round?

Graydog
 
"...overall length is 1.25..." 50 thou too long for one. OAL on a 230 is 1.200". A 230 is close enough to a 225.
"...6 grains of Unique..." That's a Max load for a 230. You work up to it or just pick it? You need to work up the load, not just jump on the Max load. Isn't dangerous in any way, but you don't have the best load for your pistol either.
Mind you, you're having an extraction issue, so it's not the load. Highly unlikely to be a case bulging issue either. If it was, it'd happen every time. Have a look at the extractor. Burrs and such. Not likely to cause a need to hammer the slide.
The bullet leave the barrel every time? I'm thinking squib load. Not enough powder or no powder and a bullet gets stuck in the barrel then pushed out(well blown out) by the next shot. Usually means there's a bulged barrel and said barrel needs replacing. Isn't likely in this case though as the pistol keeps working, but look for a dark ring in the barrel.
 
Before you go any farther try factory ammo. If the gun does the same thing then you will know for sure it is the gun. If it works perfectly then you will also know for sure it is your ammo.

This is where you should always start, with a known product.

If I had to guess, it is to much powder for whatever reason. The cartridge chambers and fires ok but will not extract always. What else could it be? Reduce the load of powder and see if it keeps doing it.

Graydog
 
sunray said:
"...overall length is 1.25..." 50 thou too long for one. OAL on a 230 is 1.200". A 230 is close enough to a 225.
"...6 grains of Unique..." That's a Max load for a 230. You work up to it or just pick it? You need to work up the load, not just jump on the Max load. Isn't dangerous in any way, but you don't have the best load for your pistol either.
Mind you, you're having an extraction issue, so it's not the load. Highly unlikely to be a case bulging issue either. If it was, it'd happen every time. Have a look at the extractor. Burrs and such. Not likely to cause a need to hammer the slide.
The bullet leave the barrel every time? I'm thinking squib load. Not enough powder or no powder and a bullet gets stuck in the barrel then pushed out(well blown out) by the next shot. Usually means there's a bulged barrel and said barrel needs replacing. Isn't likely in this case though as the pistol keeps working, but look for a dark ring in the barrel.
Click to expand...

i started at 5gr & worked up, yes the bullet leaves barrel eveytime, will look for the dark ring in the barrel, thanks for the input will definately check the extractor too as i hadn't thought of that, i bought the pistol used & can't remember if the seller said it had 1 or 2000 rd though it, i know i've put minimum 3000 throught it, mostly my reloads that previously gave me no problems
 
graydog said:
Before you go any farther try factory ammo. If the gun does the same thing then you will know for sure it is the gun. If it works perfectly then you will also know for sure it is your ammo.

This is where you should always start, with a known product.

If I had to guess, it is to much powder for whatever reason. The cartridge chambers and fires ok but will not extract always. What else could it be? Reduce the load of powder and see if it keeps doing it.

Graydog
Click to expand...

i think i'll drop it down to 5.5gr& start working back up, thanks!
 
things that come to mind....
Possible over pressure leading to over expansion.
Dirty gun (chamber)
Dirty cases

It sounds as the gun and extractor are doing its job....

This is a weird one......It just started happening? after 3000 rounds?\

are these FP bullets jacketed, plated, or bare lead?????
 
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