Do I have a problem with this ammunition?

[Heavy Metal 1]

With my 1911 45ACP ammo, Hornady Critical Defense several of the bullets have set back a few thousands due to repeated loading/unloading from the magazines. Let me explain: I have 3 magazines for my 1911. As a matter of routine I keep them loaded with the self defense ammo until I am ready for a range session. For practice at the range I use reloads so I unload the self defense ammo and set it aside. As I train I use the three magazines doing mag changes as a matter of practice. To keep the wear and tear even I use (rotate through) all 3 mags. When I am done at the range I reload the Hornady ammo into the magazines to make ready for self defense carry. I have noticed that several of the rounds have some bullet setback.

Should I use my inertia hammer bullet puller to get these bullets back out to where they should be, at the cannelure, and apply a Lee factory crimp to the brass OR is this nothing to be concerned about?

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[Joe13]

Shoot any of the ones you see out of tolerance and buy new self defense ammo.

Ideally you would have a couple of dedicated mags for self defense and use the others for range days.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

So the rounds in question are not in the magazines while you are practicing? Um, yeah, if you are getting significant setback from rounds just sitting in mags and being taken out and put back in mags something ain't right!

Should I use my inertia hammer bullet puller to get these bullets back out to where they should be

If they are setting back just sitting in your mags maybe you could just pull them out with your fingers?

 

[Bobbygun]

I was thinking along the same lines as @Joe13. I would shoot the ones out of tolerance and then decide whether it's an issue or not based on performance. It seems odd that the bullets are setting back. That's the whole idea behind having the cannelure/crimp - avoid setback. I use the Hornady Critical Defense as well in my .40 S&W Shield. I also remove the Hornadys and replace them with FMJ for range sessions. I haven't noticed any setback, but I'll be looking closer in the future.

 

[TTSX]

Just about any round will start to set back after a handful of chamberings. Especially .357 sig. You won't see a "few" thousandths with your naked eye. As a rule, I only chamber a defense round 3 times or so before it goes into the range bucket

 

[Bobbygun]

As a rule, I only chamber a defense round 3 times or so before it goes into the range bucket

Well there Mr. Moneybags. Not all of us are filthy rich. I rotate the one I chamber. Or... maybe it's because I don't have a range bucket?

 

[TTSX]

Well there Mr. Moneybags. Not all of us are filthy rich. I rotate the one I chamber. Or... maybe it's because I don't have a range bucket?

That $1.50 really chewed into my vacation money for my once a decade week off

 

[Koda]

This is extremely common with 45acp in 1911 guns, mostly with hollowpoints but can happen with even FMJ, it happens when the round is chambered. I find some ammo brands have the issue more than other ammo.

Solutions. Ive found no pressure/safety issues using the ammo with a mild setback and by that I mean I have calipers so I check them when it becomes visible by eye and more than -.02" I set them aside for range practice and replace that top round with a new one. If the setback is much larger you can use an inertia puller to pull it back but it will be weaker and should be only loaded 1 time to fire it. I keep a small box for misc ammo rounds, duds, hard primers etc. to try to get them to go off another day (or I pull the bullet completely and throw away).

It happens in all auto pistols in all calibers to a lesser extent, 1911s are worse with this especially with large hollowpoints. IIRC the bullets dont actually ride up the feedramp on 1911s the gun is designed to deflect the bullet into the chamber. A polished feedramp might help reduce some friction.

 

[DizzyJ]

This is not uncommon for rounds that continually get chambered.

Official answer? Dispose of them once there's noticeable setback. Pressure will increase as the bullet sits further back in the case.

Personal answer?
I've never had an issue with firing one. Generally I shoot said round once it's been noticeably set back even if just to verify zero on the self defense ammo.

Don't think I'd go to the trouble of pulling and resetting the OAL.

 

[bpyycpyy]

I've always heard that even without bullet setback that it's a good idea to replace your carried ammo (whether ECP or hunting rifle) after a period of time due to the possibility of the internal powder breaking down due to routine jostling around. I would think this would be more applicable to stick powder charges over ball/flake powders as they would potentially have a greater effect over the designed burn characteristics.
Also, 45 ACP is about one of the most forgiving reloading calibers that even with bullet setback and/or powder characteristic changes it wouldn't likely become dangerous to shoot due to pressure spikes.

 

[titsonritz]

From Chuck Haggard…

Carry ammo, safety, and readiness, the danger of rechambering your carry ammo too many times…. – Agile/Training & Consulting

agiletactical.com

Who's Chuck Haggard?

ABOUT – Agile/Training & Consulting

agiletactical.com

Also…

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8KzbA4cS5yg&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD

 

[Stomper]

Well there Mr. Moneybags. Not all of us are filthy rich. I rotate the one I chamber. Or... maybe it's because I don't have a range bucket?

Mayhaps you have a spittoon that could used?



Just make sure to empty it out first!

 

[dangerranger60]

I don't continually chamber my guns. When a round looks beat up, I put it in a range mag. when that mag is full, I shoot it at the next range trip.
This has me shooting about a box a year of defensive rounds. I can afford a box a year! So somewhere around $50, I spend more than that on paper targets! DR

 

[Heavy Metal 1]

Great advice, thank you. Looks like a new box of ammo is in order and I am going to see if I can bring the set back rounds out to spec then shoot them off. I am going to pick up a couple of mags dedicated to self defense carry only and other mags dedicated to range use. I have a couple of $ burning a hole in my pocket anyway.

 

[Xmark1]

What is wrong with locking the slide back, inserting a round, releasing the slide lock, and installing the loaded clip?
No setback.

 

[Koda]

What is wrong with locking the slide back, inserting a round, releasing the slide lock, and installing the loaded clip?
No setback.

Releasing the slide on a chambered round damages the extractor.

 

[DizzyJ]

Releasing the slide on a chambered round damages the extractor.

This. Or at least it can.

 

[1911Fanatic]

I was thinking along the same lines as @Joe13. I would shoot the ones out of tolerance and then decide whether it's an issue or not based on performance. It seems odd that the bullets are setting back. That's the whole idea behind having the cannelure/crimp - avoid setback. I use the Hornady Critical Defense as well in my .40 S&W Shield. I also remove the Hornadys and replace them with FMJ for range sessions. I haven't noticed any setback, but I'll be looking closer in the future.

Sig 9mm ammo is famous for setback. Sig even recommends to only chamber them once.

 

[Bobbygun]

Sig 9mm ammo is famous for setback. Sig even recommends to only chamber them once.

I've never shot any Sig ammo. Those Hornady Critical Defense rounds have a cannelure, so I assume they are roll crimped. It seems like that would take a lot more pressure to move the bullet than the typical taper crimped round. I don't have any research on that, but it sure seems intuitive. I don't have any Critical Defense in .45 ACP, but I do have some in 9mm, .380 and .40. I haven't noticed any bullet setback, but I've never tried putting the caliper on them either.

 

[Heavy Metal 1]

What irks me is that this Hornady ammo isn't that old. I have some Rem. Golden Sabre that hasn't changed at all and that must be 5 years old.

I think I ought to give Hornady a call to hear what they may have to say. It is possible I have a lousy lot.