45 ACP case size
- Thread starter Jeryray
- Start date
ShootistPRS
New member
What length are you trimming to?
You should never trim to a length less than the "trim to" length for any case that head spaces on the mouth.
You should never trim to a length less than the "trim to" length for any case that head spaces on the mouth.
PolarFBear
New member
Jeryray
Just "closed" my dilemma with Speer Lawman. Review my How to fix a "nicked" extractor rim. I used a Lee Bulge Buster. Interesting to find RP cases exhibiting this same problem. Good luck.
Just "closed" my dilemma with Speer Lawman. Review my How to fix a "nicked" extractor rim. I used a Lee Bulge Buster. Interesting to find RP cases exhibiting this same problem. Good luck.
Join Gun Digest's mailing list and get their free Reloading 45 acp book.
It'll guide you through the whole process.
http://gundigest.com/reloading-45-acp-ammo
It'll guide you through the whole process.
http://gundigest.com/reloading-45-acp-ammo
Jeryray: could you clarify what your "size gauge" is?
I have ran across cases from time to time that have a little thicker rim.
When I have them, I set them aside and then process them all at once.
They all fit my shell holders, but do not fit the holder on my priming tool, therefore, I adjust to them after I have processed the others.
I have ran across cases from time to time that have a little thicker rim.
When I have them, I set them aside and then process them all at once.
They all fit my shell holders, but do not fit the holder on my priming tool, therefore, I adjust to them after I have processed the others.
I likewise use a Lee Bulge Buster push through die. This die has the effect of "uniforming" the case head and rim where the shell holder holds the brass.
Then again, I shoot a lot of range pick ups with unknown histories.
I recognize, however, that many 45 acp handloaders do not subscribe to the use of this die or step. But for me, the uniforming effect this die has on the cases assures that each round fits flush in the case gauge, and the loaded rounds slide in and out of the case gauge like butter.
Bayou
Then again, I shoot a lot of range pick ups with unknown histories.
I recognize, however, that many 45 acp handloaders do not subscribe to the use of this die or step. But for me, the uniforming effect this die has on the cases assures that each round fits flush in the case gauge, and the loaded rounds slide in and out of the case gauge like butter.
Bayou
PolarFBear
New member
Bayou and Jeryray
Bayou makes the point very well. My range pick-ups are also of unknown history. The cases didn't just slide through. The "Bulge Buster" does more than just the case sides. My Speer Lawmans did not have a bulge and fitted the gage just fine, except for the slightly "off" case heads, Using the "buster" was "violent". The case rimmed jammed the device and it took quite an effort to mussle them through. I was using the little (cheap) Lee press with a short arm. I will use a press with more leverage for future use. Jeryray, measure those case heads and let us know. I suspect the Bulge Buster will solve your problems. And, don't EVER try to reload brass head stamped AMERC.
Bayou makes the point very well. My range pick-ups are also of unknown history. The cases didn't just slide through. The "Bulge Buster" does more than just the case sides. My Speer Lawmans did not have a bulge and fitted the gage just fine, except for the slightly "off" case heads, Using the "buster" was "violent". The case rimmed jammed the device and it took quite an effort to mussle them through. I was using the little (cheap) Lee press with a short arm. I will use a press with more leverage for future use. Jeryray, measure those case heads and let us know. I suspect the Bulge Buster will solve your problems. And, don't EVER try to reload brass head stamped AMERC.
Jim Watson
New member
When I get a round that stops on the gauge at the rim, I just turn it around and give the rim a twist in the mouth of the gauge. This often irons out dings and burrs and lets the round run.
If the rim is peened out too much for that, I set it aside for practice. They USUALLY will plunk and shoot, not many are so out of shape they won't fit the breechface and under the extractor.
Problem with the Bulge Buster is that it is not something I would want to ram a loaded round through.
If the rim is peened out too much for that, I set it aside for practice. They USUALLY will plunk and shoot, not many are so out of shape they won't fit the breechface and under the extractor.
Problem with the Bulge Buster is that it is not something I would want to ram a loaded round through.
PolarFBear
New member
Jim Watson
The Bulge Buster is OK for loaded rounds. Directions are found on the Lee instruction sheet. There is a dimple (recess/depression) on the riser stem to avoid any pressure on the primer. I was apprehensive on my first loaded round. It did not go BANG. Try one, you'll like it.
The Bulge Buster is OK for loaded rounds. Directions are found on the Lee instruction sheet. There is a dimple (recess/depression) on the riser stem to avoid any pressure on the primer. I was apprehensive on my first loaded round. It did not go BANG. Try one, you'll like it.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?media/45-acp.939/full This is possible with a narrow breach face.
I was shooting hot loads in a Smith. The brass rim was then to big in diameter for the Gold Cup .
I was shooting hot loads in a Smith. The brass rim was then to big in diameter for the Gold Cup .
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I ran into that problem years ago. For whatever reason, the rim diameter would grow over time and the cases would no longer fit into the shell holder. In those days before the internet, that problem was addressed in the gun magazines. The "cure" other than throwing that brass away was to use the sizing die (most were steel, not carbide in those days), to reduce the rim diameter by pushing the offending brass into the die backwards. It could be done by screwing the sizing die into the single-stage press upside down and using a large diameter pin punch to tap the casing into the die or one could make a tool such as this which was turned to the same dimentions as a standard shell holder on a lathe:
The tool would snap into the ram on the press and the brass case would be placed on top of the "stem" of the tool and carefully pushed up into the mouth of the sizing die...it did not take much.
Here is a picture of the tool mounted in a single-stage press:
I didn't have an empty .45ACP case to put on the tool for the picture, but I am sure you get the idea.
In short, in the "old days" when the 1911 and the .45 ACP were king, that was the accepted solution to the then well-known problem with the rims getting to large in diameter. Nowadays, those commonmaladiess and fixes seem to need be relearned all over again.
Note: As I remember, I used O-1 Drill Rod for the tool and hardened, drew it to stand up to the work it was to perform...mild steel as I remember, would not hold-up.
Just FYI -
As we were discussing case rim diameter, I just happen to be working on the bench now and using the Lee Bulge Buster die on 45 acp cases.
Atfer passing the cases through the bulge buster, I measured the rim diameter with the calipers. The push through die is uniforming the rim diameters to 0.474".
Thanks -
Bayou
As we were discussing case rim diameter, I just happen to be working on the bench now and using the Lee Bulge Buster die on 45 acp cases.
Atfer passing the cases through the bulge buster, I measured the rim diameter with the calipers. The push through die is uniforming the rim diameters to 0.474".
Thanks -
Bayou