Question on fired 45 acp cases

JWFilips

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
Got a question with a cartridge and handgun that I am just learning to get familiar with.... My Remington R1S 1911
Most of the old 1911 shooters at my range ( and we have a bunch) use Bullseye with either cast 200 gr SWC or cast RN 230 grain bullets. Most now have switched to PC coating
Their load range anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 Bullseye. Granted it is a sooty powder...but for me shooting these loads my brass ends up with 1/3 side of the case mouth showing soot ( not the whole case) Would this be because the chamber is out of round?
I know when I shoot light loads in rifles the cartridge necks get sooted but it is evenly around the neck from a loose seal
Is this partial sooting common in 1911 autos?
 
RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
Well when my Colts started smoking cases they were just too hard .

Even sloppy ACP to minimum sizing chambers don't move much . Probably just the low energy loads .
 
bruce381

bruce381

Active Member
naw just low pressure the case may have week side but normal. or even one side is resting on he chambe the other side is not.
 
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Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I get similar and just ignore it. I see that in some revolver loads too.
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
yeah I get a ton of sooting with unique and light loads in the 45 colt and the like.
if I want it to go away I add more powder or go to a faster one.
if I just want to load and shoot I leave the soot, it's a good lubricant for the carbide size dies.
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
A SAAMI pressure standard load is 5.0 grains of Bullseye with a 230 grain FMJ. That is not even a low load with PC. FWIW
 
S

STIHL

Well-Known Member
I Shoot 4.8gr titegroup inder the 230s plated or cast and they both soot. I always figured it just wasn’t quite enough to fully expand the case against the chamber, or it was just the powder doenst burn as clean. Finally leaned toward both of those answers. I just keep on shooting.
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
STIHL said:
I Shoot 4.8gr titegroup inder the 230s plated or cast and they both soot. I always figured it just wasn’t quite enough to fully expand the case against the chamber, or it was just the powder doenst burn as clean. Finally leaned toward both of those answers. I just keep on shooting.
Click to expand...

That is my exact load for 230-grain lubricated RN bullets which are loaded to 1.265" OAL. Titegroup and the new, Canadian-made Universal Clays both scorch rainbows on handgun brass but burn extremely clean.
 
JWFilips

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
I had a chance to pick up some old shooters brass! Just to help them out .... thought it could be a learning experience & yes I see the same thing....So nothing to worry about I would think
 
HM8485

HM8485

New Member
I read somewhere that this is what John Browning settled. on after the soldiers complained the recoil was delaying their recovery and next shot. He fitst used 5 grains. I get best accuracy with a 185 or200 gr semiwadcutter. No Sence in loading the Heavy stuff in unless you are pretending to shoot the horshorse out from under your adversary
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
The 45 ACP even when run at its "spec" service load (230 grain FMJ/RN atop 5.0 grains of Bullseye) is not a high-pressure autopistol cartridge like the 9mm, 40 S&W, or 10mm are. I get occasional sooting of cases even at those load levels, and as I back the pressures down from that level the sooting tends to increase a bit. It's what the 45 ACP does. Tumbling cleans the brass up nicely.
 
Tomme boy

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
I like titegroup, but my powder measure does not. It eats into the side while loading. It is a RCBS powder thrower. Have not had a problem in the LEE powder hoppers at all.

Nice thing about TG is, it goes a long way. But it is a peaky or snappy powder. It burns hot. But not for beginners. Very easy to double or triple charge a larger case and not see it.
 
W

Walks

Well-Known Member
I use 3.5grs of Bullseye under a 195gr SWC, 12lb spring in My old Gold Cup. Same load My Dad shot Bullseye Competitions with in the 1950's-60's.
Was a bit dirty then, it still is. But accurate as the day is long. Although these days bullets are usually PC'd.
And yes the brass gets dirty. My Std hardball load uses 5.0grs Bullseye under a 230gr RN, PC too. Much cleaner, not as clean as 7.0grs WSF, but Bullseye is more accurate.

TiteGroup is a great powder, like it a lot. But it Does Really EAT plastic hoppers.
 
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P

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I think it has been covered but I'll toss in:
The 45 ACP is a low pressure cartridge even when running it at normal factory levels.

I typically run WW231 but a lot of fast powders will work (the 45 ACP is actually very forgiving in terms of powder). Bullseye has been a favorite powder for 45 ACP ever since there has been a 45 ACP. I've noticed soot on casings from time to time, never gave it much thought. If the pistol cycles and the load is accurate, I'm happy.
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
My practice load for 45 ACP (duplicates my carry ammo, WWB 230 JHP) is either Lyman #452374 or the Lee 230 TC/standard lube groove atop 5.5 grains of WW-231.
 
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