CFE Pistol .45 Auto. First Run.

P

Pietro Beretta

New member
I will be doing my first reloads tonight, I have cleaned and prepped brass.

My only option was CFE Pistol, so I am going with it, it looks like its pretty slow, 44 on the relative burn rate list -

Fortunately for me, in addition the the load data, there was an article in Hodgdon 2016 annual on "New Trends For The 45 ACP." The article did specifically use CFE Pistol and have the data for the tests which is nice.

For my first run my plan is to load 25 rounds:

45 ACP

Powder: Hodgdon CFE Pistol
Bullet: Berrys Bullets 230GRN RN .452"
COL: 1.200"

Starting: 5.4 Grains - 816 FPS - 14,600 PSI
MAX: 6.2 Grains - 942 FPS - 20,100 PSI

5 of each of the following:

5.4 Grains
5.6 Grains
5.8 Grains
6.0 Grains
6.2 Grains


(Test Firearms: Colt O1980XSE 5", Springfield XD Mod.2 3.3")
 
I really have a crimping question. I bought the four die deluxe set from Lee.

When using the factory crimp die, I placed a round on the shell holder and fully extended the ram. I then screwed in the crimp die, and tightened down the adjustment until I felt resistance with the bullet head. I lowered the ram, then turned tightened the crimp adjustment 1/2 turn.

This is the method I used for my crimp. Its a very very slight crimp and there was very little resistance when crimping my rounds.

Did I crimp enough?
 
I am one of those that don't "crimp" their 45 ACP ammo. I merely use a taper crimp die to "de-flare", or straighten out the case mouth. I don't use enough crimp to see, I just check my cartridges with a "Plunk Test". Works for me for the last 15+ years...:D
 
The way to tell if you have overcrimped the 45 Auto is with your calipers. Measure the diameter at the case mouth. It is supposed to be between 0.4670" and 0.4730".
 
Thanks Fellas!

The way to tell if you have overcrimped...
Click to expand...

Keyword being overcripmed? :)

I will check my case mouth diameter with my calipers, thank you for those measurements. !


I don't use enough crimp to see, I just check my cartridges with a "Plunk Test".
Click to expand...

I did the plunk test on both platforms I plan to shoot out of, Passed. :D
 
The way to tell if you are over or under crimping is to feed them 5 times into your chamber by slide lock. Proper crimp will setback less than .005" after 5 chamberings, IME. Often less than 0.002".
 
Quote:
mikld: Will they drop into and out of your chamber?
Quote:
Pietro Beretta: I just check my cartridges with a "Plunk Test".
I did the plunk test on both platforms I plan to shoot out of, Passed.
Click to expand...

Yaaayy!! Now go shoot...:D
 
Powder: Hodgdon CFE Pistol
Bullet: Berrys Bullets 230GRN RN .452"
Primer: Winchester Large
COL: 1.200"

Starting: 5.4 Grains - 816 FPS - 14,600 PSI
MAX: 6.2 Grains - 942 FPS - 20,100 PSI

CFE Pistol .45 Notes:

5.4 Grains: Light recoil, really dirty - unburned powder..
5.6 Grains: Light, dirty - last round 5of5 failed to chamber, caught case edge on feed ramp. (More Crimp?)
5.8 Grains: Perfect - like recoil, great accuracy
6.0 Grains: Eh.. accuracy issues?
6.2 - Hot, accuracy issues?


Powder: Hodgdon CFE Pistol
Bullet: Berrys Bullets 124GRN RN .356"
Primer: Winchester Small
COL: 1.150"

Starting: 4.9 Grains - 1,006 FPS - 27,300 PSI
MAX: 5.5 Grains - 1,120 FPS - 33,800 PSI

CFE Pistol 9mm Notes:

4.9 Grains: Light recoil, dirty cases
5.2 Grains: Light recoil, cleaned up, ok accuracy
5.3 Grains: Perfect recoil, great accuracy
5.4 Grains: Perfect recoil, great accuracy
5.5 Grains: Slightly hot recoil, good accuracy.


Time to start up production! :)
 
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