200 gr swc in 45acp

[deanodog]

When reloading lead 200 gr.SWC in 45 acp to be used in revolver without moonclips should they be seated flush with case mouth? I find it hard to seat them in my 45ACP cylinder when seated to 1/16 out of case mouth. Any thoughts on this?

 

[eric conrad]

Do you mean to say WC? In a BH the ACP case headspaces on the mouth. I have some .452 wc's but have never tried them in a acp case.
Eric

 

[DGW1949]

My first thought say's that your cylinder throats is undersized for the bullet you are using.

DGW

 

[contender]

Many folks use a 200 grn SWC in 45 ACP in their semi-autos. Since I rarely use that bullet weight, I can't say for sure about how far they should be seated. BUT,, you do remember that the 45 ACP headspaces off the case mouth in many guns, so I'd load a couple while slowly adding a bit of deeper seating until you get the performance you seek. Taper crimp too!

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

My cylinder throats are undersized and I experience the same as you do. I have not fired the ACP cylinder from my BH. When I do, I will seat SWC shoulder flush to the case mouth.

 

[Rodfac]

cylindersmith.com can fix undersized throats (should be .4525" for modern .45 LC and .45 acp when using lead alloy bullets sized to .452").

As to the loading technique for LSWC or TWC, I seat the same as for my 1911's...and that is...just the faintest hint of lead showing at the case mouth...about 1/32" would be about right for the TWC's....my load is 5.3 gr of 231 or HP38 for superb accuracy in the following: 4 1911's of varying vintage, a new Ruger SR1911, a S&W M-25 1955 Target, and a two cylinder'd Colt SAA in .45 ACP and LC.

Best Regards, Rod

 

[Snake45]

my load is 5.3 gr of 231 or HP38 for superb accuracy in the following: 4 1911's of varying vintage, a new Ruger SR1911, a S&W M-25 1955 Target, and a two cylinder'd Colt SAA in .45 ACP and LC.

Best Regards, Rod

That load has shot well for me in everything, too--more than a dozen different guns including semiauto MAC-10 and M3 grease gun. I started with it as a recommended "start" load with 231 but it worked so well and was so accurate I simply never saw any reason to experiment further.

 

[Dale53]

deanodog;
You failed to mention what revolver you are loading for. However, it appears that you may be using a Ruger .45 Colt/.45 ACP Convertible. If true, then you are probably having the same problem I had with my Bisley Convertible.

Both the Colt and the ACP cylinder throats were undersized (about .450"). .452" bullets will NOT slip into .450" cylinder throats. I borrowed a reamer kit (Brownell's has them complete with the necessary pilots) and reamed mine and two friends cylinders.

Now, all six cylinders are working well. I regularly shoot .45 ACP's in the ACP cylinder loaded normally with the shoulder slightly out of the case mouth (I use the #68 H&G Clone by Mihec). They slip into the cylinder perfectly. I reamed my throats to .4525" the accepted norm for both the Colt and ACP cylinders.

Slug your cylinder throats and act accordingly.

The revolvers shoot my cast bullets under an inch at 25 yards.

FWIW
Dale53