Post by Doc Unique on May 11, 2009 17:57:02 GMT -5
Re-posted from the old site:
bones507 Post subject: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 03:55:51 am
Joined: 2008-05-28, 07:09:04 pm
Posts: 94
Location: Las Vegas Greetings
I have been shooting some 45 acp,s thru the blkhwk lately and the OAL is concerning me a bit. Im using 230 gr LRN rounds and OAL is 1200 to get them to chamber properly. The manual lists 1270 as the max OAL so im wondering if its the crimp instead of the OAL thats the problem. The rounds wouldnt go all the way in the cylinder so i kept seating them deeper till they did and this the measurement that the gun likes. They shoot well but im wondering if the shorter length is bringing pressures up to a dangerous level. I havent seen any signs yet but i figured i would ask anyway. The manuals always state max length of a cartridge but not min length. Same thing happened while i was using 230 gr FMJ rounds. Just wanted to know if i was in a safe range or not or if the crimp was the problem.
Thanks.
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Sarge Post subject: Re: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 05:52:05 am
Joined: 2009-04-10, 06:28:15 pm
Posts: 16
Location: MO Hi Bones,
Can't say for sure but it sounds like your case length is excessive or your crimp is catty-wampus. A RNL bullet should have enough ogive to seat to SAAMI OAL w/o interfering with the headspace shoulder in each of your chambers.
Since .45 ACP cases are rarely over-length, my guess is the crimp. Later dies use a taper crimp that forms the sides of the case into the bearing surface of the bullet at a near-parallel angle, as opposed to the semi-roll crimp found in older dies. I used to load for an old Ithaca 1911 which had been rebuilt by AMTU with a tight-chambered match barrel. Reloading for that gun dealt me fits until I bought a Hornady profile (taper) crimp die- but it has been smooth sailing ever since I started using it.
Finally, I'd scrub those chambers really good.
Hope you get your problem sorted out.
_________________
"Expert: The Village Idiot, ten miles from home."
sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/
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J Miller Post subject: Re: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 11:12:52 am
Joined: 2007-08-28, 09:28:51 am
Posts: 183 bones507,
I have a BH with an ACP cylinder as well. I've also had trouble getting proper length ammo to chamber. It's not the cases, it's the bullets and more specifically any lube or lead shavings or displaced metal that's been pushed up in front of the case mouth by your crimp.
Many cast ACP bullets have a slight shoulder, so there is no place for any debris to go. It just sits at the case mouth and then you can't chamber the ammo.
When you seat the bullet deeper there is more room for the debris and then they chamber.
For my Ruger I have to clean the cartridges of any debris before shooting them. When I do that they chamber just fine.
Joe
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Doc Hudson Post subject: Re: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 05:53:33 pm
Joined: 2009-04-29, 03:50:28 pm
Posts: 4
Location: N.H. Bones
I need to ask about the brass you are using.
Was it new brass to you? Did you buy once fired brass from somewhere?
Was it ammo you fired and saved the brass? If so, was it fired in that revolver?
Top
bones507 Post subject: Re: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 11:56:31 pm
Joined: 2008-05-28, 07:09:04 pm
Posts: 94
Location: Las Vegas Well Mr Miller, i am glad im not alone, ,lol. I was using a clean cylinder when i tried it out the first time and still they wouldnt chamber. Today i was out there and shot about 50 jacketed rounds followed by 50 lead rounds and they all chambered no problem. Im just concerned whether im operating at safe pressures is all. The rounds are accurate so theres no complaint, i just dont want to blow a cylinder up one day. I may be wrong but i think its the seating depth more than the crimp.
Doc, i was using assorted brass mainly. I have a stash of 500 new rem cases that i havent done anything to yet but i have a ton of assorteds im using up first.
bones507 Post subject: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 03:55:51 am
Joined: 2008-05-28, 07:09:04 pm
Posts: 94
Location: Las Vegas Greetings
I have been shooting some 45 acp,s thru the blkhwk lately and the OAL is concerning me a bit. Im using 230 gr LRN rounds and OAL is 1200 to get them to chamber properly. The manual lists 1270 as the max OAL so im wondering if its the crimp instead of the OAL thats the problem. The rounds wouldnt go all the way in the cylinder so i kept seating them deeper till they did and this the measurement that the gun likes. They shoot well but im wondering if the shorter length is bringing pressures up to a dangerous level. I havent seen any signs yet but i figured i would ask anyway. The manuals always state max length of a cartridge but not min length. Same thing happened while i was using 230 gr FMJ rounds. Just wanted to know if i was in a safe range or not or if the crimp was the problem.
Thanks.
Top
Sarge Post subject: Re: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 05:52:05 am
Joined: 2009-04-10, 06:28:15 pm
Posts: 16
Location: MO Hi Bones,
Can't say for sure but it sounds like your case length is excessive or your crimp is catty-wampus. A RNL bullet should have enough ogive to seat to SAAMI OAL w/o interfering with the headspace shoulder in each of your chambers.
Since .45 ACP cases are rarely over-length, my guess is the crimp. Later dies use a taper crimp that forms the sides of the case into the bearing surface of the bullet at a near-parallel angle, as opposed to the semi-roll crimp found in older dies. I used to load for an old Ithaca 1911 which had been rebuilt by AMTU with a tight-chambered match barrel. Reloading for that gun dealt me fits until I bought a Hornady profile (taper) crimp die- but it has been smooth sailing ever since I started using it.
Finally, I'd scrub those chambers really good.
Hope you get your problem sorted out.
_________________
"Expert: The Village Idiot, ten miles from home."
sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/
Top
J Miller Post subject: Re: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 11:12:52 am
Joined: 2007-08-28, 09:28:51 am
Posts: 183 bones507,
I have a BH with an ACP cylinder as well. I've also had trouble getting proper length ammo to chamber. It's not the cases, it's the bullets and more specifically any lube or lead shavings or displaced metal that's been pushed up in front of the case mouth by your crimp.
Many cast ACP bullets have a slight shoulder, so there is no place for any debris to go. It just sits at the case mouth and then you can't chamber the ammo.
When you seat the bullet deeper there is more room for the debris and then they chamber.
For my Ruger I have to clean the cartridges of any debris before shooting them. When I do that they chamber just fine.
Joe
Top
Doc Hudson Post subject: Re: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 05:53:33 pm
Joined: 2009-04-29, 03:50:28 pm
Posts: 4
Location: N.H. Bones
I need to ask about the brass you are using.
Was it new brass to you? Did you buy once fired brass from somewhere?
Was it ammo you fired and saved the brass? If so, was it fired in that revolver?
Top
bones507 Post subject: Re: 45 ACP in BlkhwkPosted: 2009-05-05, 11:56:31 pm
Joined: 2008-05-28, 07:09:04 pm
Posts: 94
Location: Las Vegas Well Mr Miller, i am glad im not alone, ,lol. I was using a clean cylinder when i tried it out the first time and still they wouldnt chamber. Today i was out there and shot about 50 jacketed rounds followed by 50 lead rounds and they all chambered no problem. Im just concerned whether im operating at safe pressures is all. The rounds are accurate so theres no complaint, i just dont want to blow a cylinder up one day. I may be wrong but i think its the seating depth more than the crimp.
Doc, i was using assorted brass mainly. I have a stash of 500 new rem cases that i havent done anything to yet but i have a ton of assorteds im using up first.
