.45ACP HP vs ball OAL

[jonw]

I am reloading 45 acp using 5.1 gr. bullseye powder. I ran out of 230 gr. ball bullets and have 230gr hollow point bullets.
The length difference of the bullets themselves are 230 ball = .660" 230gr hollow point .670". I was loading 230 gr hard ball at 1.275" OAL. Should I just make the 230 gr HP at 1.285"?

 

[84ta406]

I'd load them at 1.275 and be done. I've tried all different lengths with my .45 and haven't seen much difference at all. I load mine to 1.250

 

[Fixxah]

The longer the better. Enough to reliably fit the magazine and feed well.

 

[gerrycaruso]

Look it up in the manual but I'm guessing the C.O.L. will be much less with the hollow point.

 

[rocket500]

I’d say how much bullet is in the case is the first consideration, so you aren’t increasing pressure. So assuming a shorter bullet length you COL would be shorter and that should be OK. Second question will be how it feeds in your gun. Start with a minimum load and work up from there.