[Quoheleth]

In a pinch, could .45ACP dies work to reload a small batch of .45 Colt? A buddy is wanting to try reloading for his Blackhawk and asked if it would work while he waits for his Long Colt dies to arrive. I know the same dies can be used for .357 & .38, .44 Special and .44 magnum, but those pairs are only a couple tenths of an inch in difference. The difference between the two .45s is - what - over 1/2"?

Q

[Marlin 45 carbine]

nope won't work.

[Walkalong]

You could probably make it (force it/coerce it) to work, but it would not be the best way to do it, and would soon want .45 Colt dies. I am using a .45 ACP seater die to taper crimp plated bullets in .45 Colt loads.

The carbide ring in my .45 ACP sizer has about a .431 ID & my .45 Colts is about .463, so if if gives you enough neck tension, you might get by in a pinch. Don't have to worry about bullet setback in a revolver, but do need to keep an eye on the bullets creeping out of the case from recoil.

You will only be able to taper crimp, not roll crimp.

And after you do it, you'll be right back to the drawing board when the .45 Colt dies get there. :D

[Quoheleth]

That's what I thought...

He'll just have to be patient. I'm not going to screw up my .45ACP dies just b/c he's excited.

Patience is a virtue...
Good things come to those who wait...
Blah blah blah...

Q

[Walkalong]

It won't hurt your dies. You'll just have to go through adjusting them again....... :scrutiny:

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I'm doubtful my Lee die has anywhere near enough 'depth' to full length size the Colt case. maybe it would be enough though. if you broke a case off in your die you would be in for some work and c*&#@ng.

[rcmodel]

.45 ACP is .476" at the base tapering to .473" at the mouth.

.45 Colt is a straight .480" all the way.

"Wouldn't be prudent" as GHWB used to say.

rc

[SlamFire1]

This is not like using 357 dies to size 38 special cases.

My recollection is that I tried sizing 45 LC brass with a 45 ACP die, and the case was sized excessively. It has been at least twenty years so my memory is fuzzy.

[GooseGestapo]

HUH ?

I've been loading my .45LC with .45acp dies for several years now. I use the Lee carbide dies and the #11 shell holders.

They do size the case a little more than the .45lc dies do. But, it gives me greater case neck tension and better accuracy.

I even sold off my .45LC dies after trying both. Cut down on have ANOTHER set of dies, as I've already got several dozen stacked around....

[rogn]

Works OK , even better if you only use them to "neck size" LC. Did the same thing when I got the Smith 45 LC and was goin crazy waiting for the dies to arrive. Fired a few hundred of the unique and 255 gr 'ers while waitng. Dont resize fired hot load stuff and dont full length size, and there wont be much of a problem, cant really do the acp in the LC dies though. BUT overall the right set for each cartr. is still the best way to go.

[FROGO207]

I too use the 45 auto dies for my 45LC loading with 230 grain lead RN bullets. they tend to be as accurate or even more so than the 45LC dies. With jacketed bullets however the 45LC dies work where the 45 auto dies are not as accurate.

[CSA 357]

yes it will work, i have done it, but i have 45 acp and 45 colt dies, mike