4 replies to this topic

[Dux-R-Us]

I have been handloading metallic rifle cartridges for >3 decades, but I have only been handloading pistol cartridges for 2 years, and that has been confined to one calibre, the .45ACP.

It was'nt until I went back and re-read my Sierra Manual (and talking to a friend) that I learned something very important about myself and loading pistol cartridges .

Years of loading rifle cartrides made me very complacent. I failed to learn the difference in how rimless, straight-walled cases (RLSWC) head space vs. necked or rimmed cases. RLSWC (e.g. 45 ACP) headspace on the edge of the case mouth. When I understood this I woke up like Rip Van Winkle into a new world. Yikes!

During the first few months of handloading 45 ACP, I never found a case I had to trim. So I quit checking case length and only worried about cartridge overall length. I ignored the lower limit of case lenght because I did'nt understand how the .45 ACP headspaces. This was a big mistake because 45 ACP brass get shorter with each use. This is stated in the Sierra Manual and measurements I have taken over the past few months confirmed the statement.

Now I measure my brass and discard any that are too short, in addition to checking loaded COL. I don't have data to support this, however it seems that the number of malfunctions I now encounter while shooting has decreased. At the very least I am more confident in my handloads.


K

[dennishoddy]

Interesting. My Sierra book is an early edition from 1980. Three ring binder style.

[hrt4me]

my Sierra manual is also a 3-ring binder style from 1991

[Safcpt]

This is interesting. I've loaded and shot about 7000 rounds of mostly LSWC (200gr) and some LRN (230gn) with no issuues on case length. So I just went out and measured some. Once fired cases averaged .887-.889 case length. Cases that have been fire 6-9 times, .885-.886 case length. I check my old brass very carefully before loading looking for signs of failure and cull very few. My biggest problem was OAL. My gun smith finally told me to find a length that fed well and leave it at that. Right now in a 1911 I'm loading 200gn LSWC, 4.6 gn Titegroup, 1.245-1.255 OAL. Averaging around 850fps. and have no feeding issues. The only problems I seem to have is when I'm shooting around the left side of a barricade, I sometime get a llittle weak wristed (shoot right handed) and might have a feed issue.

I did a ton of research when I started reloading and was never told to watch out for case length on my pistol brass. My mentor is a 1911 guru that has been competing for over 30yrs. I'm going to see him next week and ask him this question. Curious about his thoughts on this.

[technetium-99m]

As long as your barrel hasn't been throated to death 45 cases will last until they split. Measuring and trimming case length just isn't necessary. Also realize that when a cartridge is in the chamber headspace is kind of set by the fit of the upper lugs and may have little to do with where the hood is. I'd venture a guess that a lot of production 1911's fire off the extractor and will do so happily until the hook breaks off or someone puts in a new barrel. Long story short, case length has some to do with how safe your ammo is, but there are other factors at play that are more important, case length is really a fairly minor issue here.