M&P 45 reloading

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  • Last Post 26 May 2013
dcrane 33 posted this 18 May 2013

Trying to reload lead 185 swc for my M&P 45c. The only way that I can get them to chamber is to seat the bullet so far in, that the round is below minimum oal. Can I not use swc bullets in my M&P, or am I doing something wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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dcrane 33 posted this 26 May 2013

Wasn't sure so I changed them out before your reply. Good to know for future reference though. As always-Thanks again Ed.

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Ed Harris posted this 26 May 2013

dcrane 33 wrote: Whoops! Just got done loading 100 rounds. Had to refill my primer tray for the last 25. Finished reloading and realized that I had refilled with large rifle primers instead of large pistol primers. Should I change them out?

As long as the primers got seated flush and don't protrude at all, this load is light enough that rifle primers won't raise pressure dangerously, so it is OK to try shooting a few to see if your pistol has adequate striker energy to set off rifle primers. This could be good to know, as it gives added confidence if you run into surplus ammo with known “hard” primers.

A USGI M1911A1 pistol will set off rifle primers. So will my Ruger single-action .45 Blackhawk, my Colt New Service M1909, my Webley Mk4 and my S&W .45 DA Hand Ejector Model of 1950 Military.

I consider a heavy striker blow a desirable characteristic!

If your pistol does not set off rifle primers reliably, that is something I would want to know before I would carry it for defense. If it doesn't, then that means you should not carry it with any ammo you have not fired at least 100 rounds of with no drips, runs or errors.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Duane Trusty posted this 26 May 2013

dcrane 33

On the primer question yes!!!

I am suprised, unless I missed the comment, that someone has not mentioned using a Lee factory crimp die.

I have a post war National Match ( not Gold Cup) and the use of Lee Factory crimp die cured my chambering problems. I also shoot a M&P Compact 45 and need to use a 230 grain, a max load of Bullseye, and the Lee Factory Crimp Die for reliable functioning.

Duane Trusty

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dcrane 33 posted this 25 May 2013

Whoops! Just got done loading 100 rounds. Had to refill my primer tray for the last 25. Finished reloading and realized that I had refilled with large rifle primers instead of large pistol primers. Should I change them out?

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dcrane 33 posted this 23 May 2013

1.160 works. Red Dot 4.2 grains. Thanks for all your help guys.

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dcrane 33 posted this 23 May 2013

There are no marks on the brass and I am using the stripped barrel as a chamber gauge. Doesn't seem to be a flaring problem. I guess M&P's just don't like SWC bullets. Chamber hits that shoulder on the bullet and keeps it from chambering all the way. Need to seat almost all the way in, so no shoulder is above the brass. This puts the OAL between 1.160 and 1.170. Can't seem to find any data to support this. Just going by what you guys are recommending and trial and error. Just to restate what I'm using--M&P 45 compact, H&G 185 grain LSWC, Red Dot 4.0 grains. Thanks to everybody for all your help.

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delmarskid1 posted this 23 May 2013

A little bit ago there was a good thread going on using the stripped barrel as a chamber gauge. If fooling with loaded over all length doesn't get you what you are looking for finding out how your loaded rounds fit your chamber right before your eyes may help. My biggest butt biter used to be not getting all of the flare out when seating the bullet.

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mckg posted this 23 May 2013

Do you have any marks on the ogive (land marks) or the brass (circular rubbing marks)? Some brands like Federal produce very thick brass, causing problems in tight chambers.

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dcrane 33 posted this 22 May 2013

Sorry. I meant 1.180 and 1.170

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dcrane 33 posted this 22 May 2013

Just got back from the range. I ended up using Red Dot. at 4 grains. Felt good when fired, and was pretty accurate at 5 yards. still had a chambering problem. Would fire the round but would not fully chamber the next round. Would only chamber first round when I hit the slide lock. OAL was set at 1.800. Will try at 1.7

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Ed Harris posted this 21 May 2013

You can get the same results with 4.0-4.2 grs. of Red Dot or 700-X, 4.3-4.5 grs. of WST, or with 4.5-4.7 of W231 or HP38.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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dcrane 33 posted this 21 May 2013

Still waiting to try that Bullseye formula ED. Haven't been able to find Bullseye powder yet. Trying two other places today. Just loading empty cases with the H & G 130's at an OAL of 1.800 seems to chamber and cycle fine. Hopefully I'll find Bulleye, and can go to the range soon.

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Dale53 posted this 21 May 2013

Ed; I have over 100,000 rounds through my 1911's but freely admit that my favorite .45 ACP's these days are my two 625's. I LOVE not having to chase empties! I guess I am just enough “old school” to really enjoy shooting revolvers.

I was at the range today with my 625-8 JM Special w/Red Dot (lost the vision in my right eye a few years ago and truly appreciate the “help” that a red dot sight gives me).

FWIW Dale53

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Ed Harris posted this 21 May 2013

Yes, but I prefer the ACP in a wheelgun!

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Vassal posted this 20 May 2013

You mean people are still shootin the ol 45???:D

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DonH posted this 20 May 2013

Just a few added thoughts. I shot NRA Bullseye comp. for many years. I never loaded the H&G 130 (or it's Lyman counterpart) but recall those who did use it in 1911s seemed to need to do more “tuning” for reliable functioning. The 452460 Lyman which I idi use for some time, has a nose profile just enough different that it fed pretty reliably in my 1911 without feed ramp work. When I got a mold foe the H&G #68 I never looked back. Re: O.A.L., the std. Colt .45acp chamber is long enough that I/we would determine the o.a.l. by how far out of the case the bullet needed to be for the round to headspace on the bullet “shoulder".

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Ed Harris posted this 20 May 2013

AA2 is close to, but not identical to 231 or HP38, about 1/2 grain slower than Bullseye, 452AA or WST, 4.2 grs. to start, about 4.7-4.8 grs. with 200 SWC for “full charge."

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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delmarskid1 posted this 20 May 2013

I don't like AA5 much. AA2 is good if you have it.

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PETE posted this 19 May 2013

The RCBS 185 BB bullet I use for target work in my Kimber (all I use it for) I use 3 8 grs. of Bullseye. OAL is 1.175 which just allows the bullet to kiss the rifling. Very accurate.

The light load I use in my Ruger 45LC/45 acp conversion using the above bullet is 3.3 grs. of Bullseye. OAL is 1.191. Shoots a shade under 2” at 25 yds.

I do have a top load but it's a little over the max. listed in the current Lyman manual so better not list that.

Pete

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dcrane 33 posted this 19 May 2013

Thanks again Ed. I'll let you know how I make out.

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