45 ACP OAL Question

[[email protected]]

I am new to reloading, and am working out of the Hornady book for 45 ACP 230g RN. The book shows the OAL to 1.23", however this is pretty short compared to the Federal factory ammo I have. I am guessing that the difference is in the bullet it self, but wanted to ask while I am stil loading dummy rounds.

Thanks a lot!

 

[MALLARD]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

you can just load your COAL to your magazine length , or what feeds in your chamber.

factor loads are "short" to accomadate a variety of magazines. My ruger magazine requires shorter ammunition then my S&W or CZ ,

 

[[email protected]]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

The factory ammo is longe than the reloads. Factrry is 1.265, and the book calls for 1.23.

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

COAL is minimum length for pressure purposes. Don't go shorter. You can go longer if you need to for feeding.

 

[McLarenross]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

I do what others have said. I loaded 10 at every 0.005 from mag length and tried them in all my different 45s to find what functioned best in all of them. Dont remember what I came up with though. I did find that the amount of crimp I used affected the function more than anything cause I have a few tight chambered guns.

 

[[email protected]]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

Makes sense about the COL, it had me confused because it looked so damn short. It fed at 1.23, but 1.28 feeds too. The taper crimp is getting the neck to .473, per the book and feeds fine.

 

[SpeedyR]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bigwheeler</div><div class="ubbcode-body">COAL is minimum length for pressure purposes. Don't go shorter. You can go longer if you need to for feeding. </div></div>

this is in reference to the reloading manual. As bigwheeler mentioned, you can go a bit longer when looking at data in reloading manuals, but if you go shorter it will increase pressure.

the actual SAAMI specs for the 45 auto are max OAL is 1.275" where the minimum is 1.190".

some guns are a bit more picky about OAL than others (my FNP45tac does not load longer 45's). so once you have settled on a powder you can try a few lengths to get the desired results. if you have to go shorter than what's in the manual, decrease powder and work back up again.

SAAMI 45 auto specs

 

[mnhntr]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

All my 1911s feed best with a 1.26 oal

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

The leade in the barrel and the magazine will determine your max COAL. If bullets are loaded long enough to "jam" in the leade you will have issues with pressure and going into battery. Perfect example is my M&P45 vs my Kimber and S&W 1911s. Loads with 230 LRN that work perfectly in the two 1911s will not chamber properly in the M&P, as the leade is shorter in that barrel.
Work off the advice of bigwheeler and SpeedyR and tailor your ammo to your gun and mags.

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

.473 is a little large on the crimp size for me. I've always held to .470 . In a match
chamber they would cause problems at .473

 

[Rugrat]

Re: 45 ACP OAL Question

Note that some 45 acp bullets have a ledge at the point where the shank meets the ogive. This ledge has to be seated at, or below the case mouth for such bullets to cycle in the gun.