OAL for 230 gr. RN (hard cast) .45 ACP

[kraigster414]

Was wondering what your preferred overall cartridge length is using this bullet. About 1.40 in. OAL looks right but I am concerned about pressure. It will be loaded with 4.9 to 5.0 grains of WW231. This is my first attempt at the 230 gr. RN. Up till now I have only reloaded the 200 gr. H&G 68 with about 5.4 -5.5 grains of WW231.

Thanks

[stans]

Mine run 1.260", which leaves about 0.030" of the driving band exposed beyond the case mouth. They feed reliably and are accurate in my 1911's.

[cottontoptexan]

I use 1.255 OAl I load 5.8 grains of WW231 with standard large pistol primers. About factory velocities are obtained. Nice firm taper crimp on the case .Hope this helps

[jdboy]

I've been shooting an OAL of 1.251, just worked a load from the min. 1.190 to the max. (for me) of 1.260 and stuck with what worked. I'm using 4gr of Alliant Red Dod with Win. Std. primers. Shoots great with very little unburned powder. Been using Star bullets, was waved away from the HardCast because of loose tolerances. Can't say for myself, just taking someone elses word.

[BeanTown]

I don't have the Lyman's manual handy but it seems to me that 1.273 is supposed to be the max OAL for RN isn't it? I could be wrong but that number seems to be stuck in my head for some reason. You should definitely check a reloading manual to verify what the max is before you go to the trouble of loading more than a couple of rounds (a real pain to have to unload more than a couple of rounds, don't ask...).

[PDshooter]

I cast and load using H&G68 bullet. Around 208gr
W-231 5.3GR
OAL is 1.240 +-.002

[texasbatman]

I use 5.4 grains of W-231, 230 grain FMJ Hornady RN, CCI large pistol primers, and OAL of 1.250". The Hornady is totally encapsulated. Works great!!

Jim

[CherryRiver]

Just for reference, the SAAMI spec for .45 ACP maximum length overall is 1.275".
My guns like round nose bullets in the 1.260-1.265" range.
What I don't understand is how I loaded my first 50,000 rounds of .45 without a caliper.
5.0gr of Winchester 231 is a fairly mild load.
Bill

[BeanTown]

1.275 sounds right, probably had 1.273 stuck in my head as my max "safe" length to give myself some fudge in case my caliper and my pistol weren't perfectly in sync. I tend to run in the 1.255 to 1.265 range for most of my loads and that seems to work fairly well in my S&W 5". Using Bullseye around 4.2 grains so can't help you with the ww231 recommendation.

BT

[Baldy]

Hey Kraigster414. The Books call for a Max length of 1.275". Mine run about 1.260" to 1.250". Dillion has a neat little gauge out for about $10 or $12 bucks. You drop the shell in and if it don't hang or stick out the other end, it's a shooter. If it hangs your are not crimping it enought and if it sticks out the end you need to seat it a little deeper. If you reseat don't forget to recrimp it. I am shooting lswc 200gr bullets, powered by 4.5gr's of 231 Winchester. Works good in my wifes S&W 1911 45 for pinching paper. It is a stock out of the box gun and has never misfired or hung up on any ammo we have tried. :D