Loaded up some 185 grn xtp and started having issues immediately in my Kimber custom. Seems the bullet was seating/fitting in the chamber and slide was not going forward, hence jam. Stopped went home and remeasured rounds. They were 1.24+ rather than spec 1.23 and I noticed on the tampered crimp it was measuring .471 compared to factory rounds at .369.

using just the barrel, I dropped these bullets in and noticed they were not completely seated as compared to factory.

Question. Aside from a bullet depth issue, should I also tweak the tampered crimp and get it to measure in the .369 range..

Whooaa! You mean .469" I'm guessing? Try an empty case that is .471" and see if the case drops in to flush (might need to be pushed in without the bullet mass).
If you are not binding on the bullet, some profiles vary between manufacturers (and probably between lot numbers...), crimp a little more and see if that will get the round to drop into the removed barrel as a factory round does. I know .471" seems to be fine for my pistol, but that is meaningless to you.
Generally, just taking the flare out of the mouth suffices. An overly aggressive taper crimp would seem to be indicating other concerns.
Not usually an issue with .45 ACP, but check your case length, just to be sure you don't have a longer than usual case.

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Whooaa! You mean .469" I'm guessing?

opps yes..

Are these XTPs a boat tail design, as in the 147g 9mm offering?
Can't say I've loaded these in .45 ACP, but you doubtless aren't flaring the mouth for these, if bt'ed.
Ignore my ignorance, since I load mostly cast fodder. For every different bullet, I have to work out my own seating depth to be sure they go into full battery.

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Are these XTPs a boat tail design, as in the 147g 9mm offering

Nope. Funny thing, I can shoot these same bullets in my glock all day long, no issues. My new Kimber is not very tolerant of my reloads so far...Only 200 rounds and the spring is probably still rigid..

Well, I'm sure you will get your reloads to that Kimbers specs after some more fanagling. Might be tighter tolerances, but if you match your reloads to working factory dimensions, I'd think you will get her functioning okay.
Good luck.

I beginning to think it is the crimp..my loads are .471 and the factories are .469 and drop right in. Even with the seating adjustment the reloads are still backed out somewhat..

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Originally posted by garyn:
I beginning to think it is the crimp..my loads are .471 and the factories are .469 and drop right in. Even with the seating adjustment the reloads are still backed out somewhat..

The chamber could be that tight, but I find most issues w/ the XTP are seating too LONG. The sharp shoulder runs into the lands. Most data shows them seating 1.200"-1.220" max. At 1.220", they feed in all 5 of my 45acps. IMO, you are over crimping @ 0.469", but maybe you have a tight chmaber.

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The chamber could be that tight, but I find most issues w/ the XTP are seating too LONG. The sharp shoulder runs into the lands. Most data shows them seating 1.200"-1.220" max. At 1.220", they feed in all 5 of my 45acps. IMO, you are over crimping @ 0.469", but maybe you have a tight chmaber.

I believe it is the kimber chamber. Using both barrels, the Kimber was definitely more snug. btw, Hornady manual calls for 1.230 with 185 xtp's. I'll always been careful not to seat to deep because of increase pressures..

If factory ammo feeds and handloads don't it's your load. Even if your Kimber has a minmum spec chamber your handload should chamber. I'd guess it's the crimp. Chamber a sized shell to rule out length or short sizing. Then seat a bullet and rechamber. Either you are under crimping which leaves your shell too big or over crimping which causes a bulge. It might be the XTP shoulder but I'd check crimp first.

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Originally posted by Sam:
If factory ammo feeds and handloads don't it's your load. Even if your Kimber has a minmum spec chamber your handload should chamber. I'd guess it's the crimp. Chamber a sized shell to rule out length or short sizing. Then seat a bullet and rechamber. Either you are under crimping which leaves your shell too big or over crimping which causes a bulge. It might be the XTP shoulder but I'd check crimp first.

+1
Crimp just enough to remove the bell from the case, any more is not needed nor wanted. A slight bulge behind the mouth is hard to detect at times, but will interfere with chambering.
You might also color the bullet around the edge where it starts to taper with a magic marker and drop it in the barrel. If the bullet is hitting the lands it will show in the ink.

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Question. Aside from a bullet depth issue, should I also tweak the tampered crimp and get it to measure in the .369 range..

Well, you have the pistol. You have the ammo and you have the tools. Not a lot we can tell you about what your pistol and your tools need to do to allow the ammo to fit that you can't answer better than we can. Why not "tweak" a few rounds and see how it works? ??

Get a "Factory Crimp Die" From Lee, it costs next to nothing and will make the final dimension very nearly the same as factory ammo.

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If factory ammo feeds and handloads don't it's your load. Even if your Kimber has a minmum spec chamber your handload should chamber. I'd guess it's the crimp. Chamber a sized shell to rule out length or short sizing. Then seat a bullet and rechamber. Either you are under crimping which leaves your shell too big or over crimping which causes a bulge. It might be the XTP shoulder but I'd check crimp first.

Thanks for all the helpful input...I'm beginning to think it is a sizing issue coupled with the xtp bullet and seating.

I loaded up some 230 rn and they dropped right in, just as a factory round...