Lee die question

Mr_Flintstone · Jun 21, 2021

A few years ago I bought a set of Lee Carbide 45 Auto Rim dies because I got them for $18. A couple days ago I dug them out to see if I could load 45 ACP with them. I was surprised when all the dies said 45 ACP, and even the shell holder fit 45 ACP. Is there a difference between Lee 45 Auto Rim dies and 45 ACP dies, and if not, why do they make two different sets? Also, does the seater die roll crimp or taper crimp?

Fyrstyk · Jun 21, 2021

To the best of my knowledge, the only difference should be the shell holder for a rimmed case.

GeoDudeFlorida · Jun 21, 2021

Mr_Flintstone said:
even the shell holder fit 45 ACP

A .45AR shell holder should not fit .45ACP.

kcofohio · Jun 21, 2021

Per Lee's website, the Auto and Auto Rim only share the FCD. All other dies are listed different.
https://leeprecision.com/reloading-dies/hand-gun-dies/
https://leeprecision.com/carbide-factory-crimp-die-45acp.html
Maybe they were given the wrong inserted paper?

kcofohio · Jun 21, 2021

GeoDudeFlorida said:
A .45AR shell holder should not fit .45ACP.

Agree, 45 Auto is #2 and Auto Rim is #13.

GeoDudeFlorida · Jun 21, 2021

kcofohio said:
Per Lee's website, the Auto and Auto Rim only share the FCD. All other dies are listed different.
https://leeprecision.com/reloading-dies/hand-gun-dies/
https://leeprecision.com/carbide-factory-crimp-die-45acp.html
Maybe they were given the wrong inserted paper?

Interestingly enough, the FCD is the only Lee die I have in my .45ACP reloading kit. The sizer and expander are Hornady and the seating die is RCBS. The Hornady and RCBS dies work fine for .45AR, with a few minor adjustments.
The Lee FCD for .45ACP/AR will do either a roll crimp or a taper crimp, depending on how the collet is set. However, for .45ACP, the RCBS seating/crimping die does a beautiful taper crimp on its own but won't roll crimp, so I use the FCD exclusively for .45AR. I highly recommend the FCD for .45AR.

It sounds like maybe the wrong kit was shipped if the seating/crimp die and shell holder are both for .45ACP.

Mr_Flintstone · Jun 21, 2021

Here are some pics. The label on the box says 45 Auto Rim. Perhaps it did have the wrong insert.

243winxb · Jun 21, 2021

View attachment 1006448 Factory Crinp die. " The type of crimp on the die depends upon the type of cartridge. With cases that headspace on the case mouth such as the 45ACP, the die essentially reduces the outer diameter of the case mouth into the bullet. On other cases, a roll crimp is applied."

Bullet Seating Die. There are two crimp shoulders in our pistol Bullet Seating Dies. The first shoulder applies a slight taper crimp and the second shoulder applies a full roll crimp. The closer the die is adjusted to the shell holder the heavier the crimp will be.

https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase

Lee die question

Mr_Flintstone

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Fyrstyk

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GeoDudeFlorida

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kcofohio

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kcofohio

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GeoDudeFlorida

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Mr_Flintstone

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243winxb

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