.45 Colt dies to do .454 Casull?

[Miata Mike]

I am looking to start loading .45 Colt and was wondering if a guy could use the same dies for a .454 Casull should the need arise.

I know that a .38 special Lee die set can be used for .357 magnum, so which Lee die set might work for both if the need were to arise?

As a side note, which cast bullet have you had the best target accuracy from? I might order a mould right away too. The primary gun would be a Ruger Redhawk .45 colt. Thanks!

 

[helotaxi]

Make sure that the die is long enough. The RCBS dies that I have are labeled for both but that doesn't mean that a .45C die will work for .454. If the die isn't designed for it, you will play hell trying to get the size die set correctly so it sizes enough of the case without crushing the mouth.

 

[45lcshooter]

Best thing is if its already marked for both calibers. But then if you reload 454 and 45lc your going to have a heck of a time with your dies. Depending on your funds, to me its just easier to purchase dies for the caliber your working with, then you know.

 

[buck460XVR]

Starline recomends a .45 Colt die for resizing their .460 S&W brass. If that's the case, then they should work just as well for .454.

 

[JLDickmon]

nah.. forget I said that..

get another set of dies.

the lock screws on the rings will love you for it.

 

[Miata Mike]

I went to fsreloading.com site and looked up their dies. .45 Colt had a note saying:

Notes for 90514 Lee Precision 3 DIE SET 45COLT CARBIDE Lee Precision 3 DIE SET 45COLT CARBIDE
The .45 Colt die set can also load .454 Casull. To load .454 Casull, the 45 Colt expander die must be backed out approximately two turns to compensate for the difference in case length.

I probably will never load the .454, but thought I had heard about it somewhere. Anyone have favorite cast bullet ideas for the .45 Colt loads?

 

[kludge]

Yes. I use Lee .45 Colt dies to do .454 Casull. Do yourself a favor and get the factory crimp die too.