orionengnr
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Do I need another set of dies to reload 45 Colt, or can I use 45 acp dies, as one can use the same dies to reload 38/357 SPL, or 44 SPL/44Mag?
Thank you, Rich
Thank you, Rich
45 LC (stupid newbie) question
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Ridgerunner665
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You need new dies....the 45 LC is way longer than 45 acp.
scrat
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pretty much you can take a 45acp piece of brass in a die of a 45lc and it will almost fall all the way through. The case is smaller indeed. Cant mix match on that one. 45lc is so much more fun to shoot.
Not to mention that .45 ACP is usually taper crimped and .45 Colt is usually roll crimped. So even if the sizing dies would work, you would need separate crimping/seating dies.
Now, Hornady does make a die set usable for both .45 Colt and .45 ACP, but it is a compromise since .45 Colt brass is nominally .480" along the entire length and .45 ACP is nominally .473", but the larger dimension brass will work just fine. Even so, you still have the different-crimps problem which Hornady failed to mention on the die case (yes, I bought one.
)
Now, Hornady does make a die set usable for both .45 Colt and .45 ACP, but it is a compromise since .45 Colt brass is nominally .480" along the entire length and .45 ACP is nominally .473", but the larger dimension brass will work just fine. Even so, you still have the different-crimps problem which Hornady failed to mention on the die case (yes, I bought one.
)
GooseGestapo
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I do load my .45lc with ACP dies!
I've not had any problems. I do use a specific shell holder for the LC case.
However, both my .45lc's are new production firearms. A Winchester M94 Legacy w/24" bbl. The other is a Ruger Redhawk w/5.5"bbl.
The longer case only requires the crimping/seating die being backed out in order to provide the correct amount of crimp. The Taper crimp is sufficient for all the loads I've loaded including some near .454Casull level loads with 310gr WFN-GC cast bullets over heavy charges of slow burning powder.
The slightly tighter sizing of the .45acp case has been advantageous due to the tighter case neck tension providing increased bullet pull enhancing the ballistic consistency of my ammo. I haven't noticed any case life issues. Even some Magtech brass that is a bit thinner than the more common Starline (in my supply of brass) are holding up very well.
I even bought a set of .45LC dies, but after using them, I sold them to a friend who "just had to have" a set of dedicated dies. He too, now only uses the .45acp dies !!
Saves a lot of trouble changing out dies, as I have a press that is dedicated to .45 use. Just swapping the shell plate, and backing off the dies a predetermined amount, change the powder measure to proper powder and amount, and "Presto", I'm loading .45LC.
I've not had any problems. I do use a specific shell holder for the LC case.
However, both my .45lc's are new production firearms. A Winchester M94 Legacy w/24" bbl. The other is a Ruger Redhawk w/5.5"bbl.
The longer case only requires the crimping/seating die being backed out in order to provide the correct amount of crimp. The Taper crimp is sufficient for all the loads I've loaded including some near .454Casull level loads with 310gr WFN-GC cast bullets over heavy charges of slow burning powder.
The slightly tighter sizing of the .45acp case has been advantageous due to the tighter case neck tension providing increased bullet pull enhancing the ballistic consistency of my ammo. I haven't noticed any case life issues. Even some Magtech brass that is a bit thinner than the more common Starline (in my supply of brass) are holding up very well.
I even bought a set of .45LC dies, but after using them, I sold them to a friend who "just had to have" a set of dedicated dies. He too, now only uses the .45acp dies !!
Saves a lot of trouble changing out dies, as I have a press that is dedicated to .45 use. Just swapping the shell plate, and backing off the dies a predetermined amount, change the powder measure to proper powder and amount, and "Presto", I'm loading .45LC.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
As already noted, the .45 ACP case is both smaller, and tapered slightly.
No way can you make good .45 Colt loads using an undersized, tapered sizing die unless you intend to neck-size only.
Full-length sizing would needlessly overwork the Colt brass and shorten case life.
rcmodel
No way can you make good .45 Colt loads using an undersized, tapered sizing die unless you intend to neck-size only.
Full-length sizing would needlessly overwork the Colt brass and shorten case life.
rcmodel
ArchAngelCD
Member.
At the price of the Deluxe Die sets from Lee what's the big deal about getting the correct dies?
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