Loading .45 Auto Rim Cases for Model 1917

[TheTinMan]

Instead of using moon clips, I'd like to start loading .45 Auto Rim for my Model 1917.

I've been using Win 231 under Rainier 200 grain plated SWC bullets for a 1911 with a slight taper crimp. My OAL has been long enough so that a small portion of the bullet's shoulder projects from the case mouth.

Here are my potentially stupid questions:
1) With a .45 Auto Rim case, will it headspace on the rim or on the case mouth? IOW is the rim for headspacing or just for ejection?
2) Do I need a roll crimp instead of a taper crimp? If so, I think I need to load the bullets with a shorter OAL so that the crimp can (just barely) roll over the forward edge of the bullet's base.
3) Is this bullet a poor choice for this application? I was unable to find any .45 caliber bullets with a cannelure for a roll crimp but maybe I missed something. Keeping the variety of components to a minimum would be nice.

If the answer to #1 is that the case still will headspace on the case mouth, then roll crimping as described in #2 probably is a bad idea.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[DFrame]

The auto rim case will headspace on it's rim, just like the acp cartridge with it's clip does. The extra thick rim provides headspace and ejection. No special crimp is needed. I use a mild roll crimp on mine but it doesn't make much difference, as long as bullets aren't walking out of the case. The bullet you describe should work just fine. The auto rim is a convenient cartridge, which as you note, eliminates the need for clips and the attendent PITA of loading and unloading them. I agree with your rationale for keeping it simple. I use the same cast 200 grain bullet for all of my 45 loading.

[kenhwind]

I bought a shell plate for my Dillon 550 and loaded jthe 45 AR just as I would the ACP. I do have RCBS dies and the AR shellholder.
The clips were used to headspace and to aide in ejection. The Auto Rim headspaces on the rim like most revolver cartridges, and that is why the Auto Rim rim is so thick. The S&W chamber had a shoulder and could be fired without the halfmoon clips but would not eject the spent cases, Colts, or early Colts did not and required the halfmoon clips to support the cartridges.

Loading the Auto Rim the same as the ACP and using the same powder charge should work out fine. You will have to readjust the resizing die though when switching from the ACP to AR and back.
The Bullet you are using in an excellent choice for the Auto Rim.

[TheTinMan]

Ken - thanks for the info about reloading for .45 Auto Rim.

I'm curious about the Colt Model 1917 chambers though. To the best of my knowledge, mine was delivered to the Army in June of 1918 and the chambers do have shoulders. Serial number on the crane matches the number on the frame, and the blueing on the cylinder matches the rest of the gun down to visible brush strokes.

[haggis]

Ken - thanks for the info about reloading for .45 Auto Rim.

I'm curious about the Colt Model 1917 chambers though. To the best of my knowledge, mine was delivered to the Army in June of 1918 and the chambers do have shoulders. Serial number on the crane matches the number on the frame, and the blueing on the cylinder matches the rest of the gun down to visible brush strokes.

Only the very early Colt 1917's had the bored through chambers. In fact, quite a few of them were sent back to the factory to have their cylinders replaced with stepped chambers. Very uncommon to see one.

I use an Oregon Trail 200 grain LRNFP that has a crimp groove. You can set the taper crimp die up so that the case just slightly rolls into that groove, and the round can be then be used both in revolvers and 1911's (for .45 ACP cases). The LRNFP will load into the cylinder's chambers a lot smoother than an SWC will, no matter how you handle the crimp.

Buck

[kenhwind]

If you drop a 45 ACP into the chamber and it goes obviously too far than your 1917 would not chamber the ACP on the case. The Colt chamber looked the same as most revolvers, if it has a sharp squared shoulder like the chamber in the 1911 barrel then the ACP case would headspace on the case.

If you need cases Midway usually has some, Starline makes some as does Remington.

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Brow...2***670***9014***

I'm fond of the 45 Auto Rim cartridge and the 1917 revolvers must have been popular enough for Peters Cartridge Company to introduce it. The Auto Rim in the S&W Model 25-2 was very accurate IMO more so than the 45 Colt in a Model 25-5. HKS makes a seed loader Auto Rim for the S&W and it will work in the Colt.
Unfortunately I sold my 1917 out of necessity along with several other Colts and others....

[Bisley]

Hello. It is my understanding the stepped chambers were to allow firing the .45ACP without the clips in an emergency..cases would have to be knocked out with a pencil or something..but at least you could fire and defend yourself.