lead bullets in XD45 ????

[JSJAC]

I load 230 grain lead round nose bullets with an overall length of 1.270in and it shoots great out of my sig and kimber. It seems like the bullet hits the shoulder in the chamber. I have made test rounds Down to 1.255 and they still do not fit. I have shot about 250 hand loads that are 230 grain FMJ and there 1.260 and they shoot very good.The case length is fine the dia is good and there is not a buldge at the botton of the case. I use a factory crimp die . I do not know what I am missingAny help would be very usefull . Thanks in advance.
This is my first XD .I picked up the 45 tactical and love the way it points and shoots. This might be my new game gun.
Thanks for all the good info been lurking for a long time.

[XD9Sub]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure someone will chime in with some hints, as I've never done any reloads

[R Dub]

Welcome to the forum. I load 230 plated RN to 1.245 - 1.250. Works fine in mine.

[JohnC]

I have fired about 500 rds of 230g LRN at an OAL of 1.260 and 500 rds of 230g FMJ at an OAL of 1.270 without a single problem. The FMJ are Winchester and the LRN are mastercastbullets.com. Both loads were split evenly between a service and tactical model.

[Boricua]

What brand bullet are you using?

[Learjet Jockey]

I had the same trouble with 230 gr JHP's. The day I picked up the XD-45, I headed to the range with a S&W 1911, the XD-45 service and some 230 gr Zero JHP reloads. I have shot hundreds of these reloads in the 1911. I filled the mag and shot at 50'. First shot was a 10 and the 2nd shot failed to chamber completely. The slide didn't go into battery and the striker indicator was slightly exposed, but not completely. It took a sharp blow to the frame with the rear sight against a bench to eject the round. After clearing, the next shot did the same thing - Jam. I shot these rounds that had to be manually cleared in the 1911 without incident.

I went to wally World and bought some WWB 230 FMJ because I thought there was something wrong with the XD-45's chamber. The entire box fed and ejected flawlessly!

I then went home and loaded some Speer Gold Dot and Hornandy XTP 230 gr JHP at 1.255", 1.235" OAL (as listed in my Ramshot and other manuals) and both OAL's with both bullets fed and ejected fine. I set a Zero 230 gr. JHP bullet in a spent case and manually placed it in the chamber (barrel removed from slide). Through trial and error I found that I had to seat the Zero bullet at 1.90-1.20" OAL for it to chamber completely. I called Zero and they told me their 45 ACP specs for the 230 JHP is 1.20-1.22" OAL, .485-.490" Flare and .469" straight crimp. I loaded to these specs exactly with the 1.2" OAL and 500 rounds later have yet to have a FTF or FTE! When you place the Zero JHP beside the Gold Dot and XTP, they are shorter and have a more rounded ogive (fatter). The bullet was actually hitting the throat/lands of the XD chamber as evidenced by marks on a smoked bullet.

Trial and error with a test round can show you what the necessary OAL length for your specific bullet and chamber combination. Good Luck!

[JSJAC]

I am using" Better bullets" .I bouhgt them at Kittery Trading post in Maine . Looks like the bullets are made in Mississippi. The place were I get my stuff was out of stock and the said that they were changing lead bullet makers .I have in the past been using M&P bullets

[Margana]

Hmmm I have 230 gr RN Rainier and and old lot of 230 gr RN Speer Swagged lead bullets which are 1.265 OAL and function just fine in my XD45 ACP

[JSJAC]

I loaded some up last night and they all shot good. I had to shorten the length and they are good to go