45 Colt Case Sizing for Rifle

[JDinFbg]

It is a fact that my Lee sizer is larger than my RCBS Cowboy, but that could be just my good fortune.

Hmmm. I was afraid that might be the case. As I reported in Post #17 above, RCBS confirmed that there is no difference in the sizing die between their Standard and Cowboy die sets. The differences are only in the expander and seater dies, and the only difference in the expander is the expanding plug diameter and the fact that it comes with two expanding plugs.

 

[mrawesome22-250]

I own and load for a Marlin 1894 in 45Colt. Tapered steel dies (non carbide) produce a cartridge with a much better case to chamber fit. Yes the SAAMI specs show a cylindrical case dimension, yet measure any factory cartridge and you will find they do indeed taper.

Not only will standard dies create a better fit, but the life of the brass is also increased, and the "wasp waist/coke bottle" effect is eliminated.

 

[JDinFbg]

I own and load for a Marlin 1894 in 45Colt. Tapered steel dies (non carbide) produce a cartridge with a much better case to chamber fit. Yes the SAAMI specs show a cylindrical case dimension, yet measure any factory cartridge and you will find they do indeed taper.

Not only will standard dies create a better fit, but the life of the brass is also increased, and the "wasp waist/coke bottle" effect is eliminated.

Your post confirms what many others (on this and other forums) have said about standard dies creating cartridges with a better fit. As I noted in Post #17, RCBS indicated that their standard and cowboy sizing die have the same internal dimensions. Although SAAMI does say "cylindrical" on the case specs, from a practical standpoint having some minimal taper in the sizing die likely makes the reloading process somewhat easier.

 

[Col. Cornelius]

I use the Redding dual ring carbide sizing die for 45 Colt rifle (and pistol) reloads and really like it.

Definitely works the brass less (no coke bottle shape). Less to no blow back in the rifle (depending on chamber dimensions).

Less force required on the press handle to size the case.

IMHO, only drawback to the dual ring carbide die is the price. Whether its worth it is up to you. I know it was worth it for me, but I do load and shoot a lot of 45 Colt.

 

[JDinFbg]

I use the Redding dual ring carbide sizing die for 45 Colt rifle (and pistol) reloads and really like it.
Definitely works the brass less (no coke bottle shape). Less to no blow back in the rifle (depending on chamber dimensions).
Less force required on the press handle to size the case.
IMHO, only drawback to the dual ring carbide die is the price. Whether its worth it is up to you. I know it was worth it for me, but I do load and shoot a lot of 45 Colt.

Col. Cornelius: Thanks for this info, this was very helpful. Getting feedback on the Redding dual ring die was what my OP was seeking. The concept behind the Redding die sounded good, but I really wanted to know if folks out there were really using it and if it delivered good results. I'm planning to go to some upcoming gun shows in my area, and will be on the lookout to see if I might find one for much less than new price.

 

[MifflinKid]

I shoot .45 Colt in two Ruger original Vaqueros and in either a Winchester 1894 or a Rossi 1892. All four guns seem
to have relatively large chambers. The Vaqueros have the largest chambers, then the Winchester, then the Rossi.

I too had some blow back (and sooty cases) when I first started reloading for them in the late 1990s. My solution
was three fold:

1. I backed off my Dillon sizing die until the loaded rounds just easily fit into the Vaquero chambers. This leaves the
cases with some very slight bulge at the bottom of the case. But that does not seem to cause any feeding or extraction
problems. By the end of a six course CAS competition the cases are just starting to get a little difficult to extract.

2. Even though I am using them for Cowboy Action Shooting I now load my cartridges to their original bullet speeds: in
the 5 1/2 inch Vaqueros that is a 250 grain bullet (BHN 12) at ~850 fps (chronographed at 70F temperature). I think this
gets the pressure up close to 14,000 PSI. I now use only .452" Hi-Tech coated bullets. That size is nominal. Bayou
Bullets seem slightly larger at .4523".

3. I load them into either R-P nickel plated or, just recently, Starline nickel plated cases. The plating make the cases a
little slicker than brass cases. So the feeding and extracting are easier. I use a moderate roll crimp to help the pressure
build up and to ensure the case mouth doesn't catch when feeding in the rifles.

I now get no sooty cases. Even in colder weather when the pressures being produced should be lower than 14,000 PSI.

 

[BBarn]

I have two Hornady 45 Colt sizers, a RCBS 45 Colt sizer, and a RCBS 454 Casull sizer. The carbide sizer rings of both Hornadys' measure 0.470". Both the RCBS 45 Colt and RCBS 454 carbide sizer rings measure 0.466".

I typically use the Hornady sizers for both 45 Colt and 454 Casull because it works the brass less while still sizing the body of the case adequately. Sometimes I'll follow up the Hornady sizing with partial sizing using an RCBS die for the upper (bullet) portion of the case if I want more bullet tension. It's an extra step that isn't too cumbersome when loading only a box or so of shells on a single stage.

 

[RealGun]

I have two Hornady 45 Colt sizers, a RCBS 45 Colt sizer, and a RCBS 454 Casull sizer. The carbide sizer rings of both Hornadys' measure 0.470". Both the RCBS 45 Colt and RCBS 454 carbide sizer rings measure 0.466".

I typically use the Hornady sizers for both 45 Colt and 454 Casull because it works the brass less while still sizing the body of the case adequately. Sometimes I'll follow up the Hornady sizing with partial sizing using an RCBS die for the upper (bullet) portion of the case if I want more bullet tension. It's an extra step that isn't too cumbersome when loading only a box or so of shells on a single stage.

You added testimony to what I posted earlier. My Hornady sizer is also larger, although my ".472" came from measuring the sized case. My RCBS yielded .466, measured in kind.

 

[BBarn]

My measurements were with pin gauges, which removes any effect of brass spring-back.

 

[mrawesome22-250]