.45ACP COL conundrum

B

Brutus

New member
Been reloading Ranier 200gr plated flat points as a target round for years always loaded them to an overall length of 1.250 which functions flawlessly in various 1911's, when I tried to use them in my Sig P220 the truncated flat would hang up on the inside of the magazine well so I shortened the O/L to 1.230 and the problem went away. Today I took the P220 and a new for me CZ97 to the range. This time my reloads were Berry's brand and the P220 wouldn't accept a cartridge in the magazine, on the other hand the CZ97 magazine had no problem accepting the rounds but jammed on every round. :o
What's the best overall length for these style of bullets?
Six reloading manuals list anywhere from 1.250 to 1.55
Been reloading for thirty five years and I still don't know nothing.:(
 
Been reloading for thirty five years and I still don't know nothing.
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Don't feel like your the Long Ranger.

I'm constantly amazed at all the stuff people do around here. A long time ago I learned ONE way to load .45 ACP and never much did it any other way. This is NOT necessarily a good thing. I've found a lot of interesting new stuff here.

I religiously used the 'plonk' test and never ever used a caliper in loading my .45 ACP so the only help I can provide is a link to a thread containing the 'plonk' test which you probably already know about.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=558055&highlight=plonk+test

Good luck.
 
I used to load Xtreme 200gr flat points. Your OAL will depend on the magazines and chambers of your pistols. I've loaded for Ruger P-series and their chambers were longer than my Tanfoglios. My P-Carry's is too short to chamber XTPs loaded to Hornady's OAL.

I've only had one 45 that would feed flat points reliably, my Witness Elite Match. My P-Carry has problems with them and the P345 and P90 I used to have bobbled them frequently. I assumed that the flat points would be more accurate than round noses but my testing from the bench proved that to be not so. I use round noses only now, same accuracy but flawless feeding.

I loaded my flat points between 1.175" and 1.155". They are the same length as Sierra's 200gr FPJ so I used their OAL and data.
 
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The 97b is a finicky beast, especially the earlier versions that don't have a throated barrel.

As stated load those so it passes the plunk test. If it still jams, switch to a RN profile.
 
OAL is always, Bullet and Firearm specific, never manual specific.

Our Moderator Unclenick has made this up for us.

Find #3 and #2, then if needed, reduce OAL until they feed and function.

45seatingpossibilitiesx.jpg
 
When loading for autos, OAL is key to feeding.

Long slows the feed cycle down by causing it to drag on feed lips as it rises up the ramp. It will jam hanging up on the ramp or be so slow that it won't have enough umph to get under the extractor.

Shorter hits the feed ramp and rotates quick out of the feed ramp. Sometimes it over rotates and loaded round ejects, loaded round stove pipes or loaded round pinched in a 3pt jam look.

IME, my lead 230 RNBB like 1.230".
 
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