.45acp dies to reload .45LC?

[dmftoy1]

Hi, this is probably a stupid question, but I'm considering getting back into reloading again after being out of it for about 15 years. I'm looking at a used Dillon press like the one I used to have, and the guy says it's setup for .45lc and .45acp. I only see dies for .45acp, but I do see a calibur conversion kit for .45lc. Is it possible to use .45acp dies to load .45LC? I would think the crimp would be different?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I use a set of Hornady Titanium (I think) dies that say right on the box that they can be used for .45 ACP and .45 Colt. I'm not at home right now so I'm not positive, but I can check tonight.

I'm using them in my Dillon 550 with a Lee factory crimp die.

 

[shooter1]

Afraid not---------a set of 45LC dies will set you back $20-$30 depending on brand. Of course you'll need a different shell plate too.
Will

 

[shooter1]

Larry,
That's a new one on me! I have RCBS and Lee dies for both calibers. Mine are one caliber specific. Hornady huh, I'll have to check that out!
Will

 

[dmftoy1]

Thanks Guys! Much appreciated.

Regards,
Dave

 

[shooter1]

Larry,
Saw what you were talking about. The die set for the 45ACP also is used with the 45 Win Mag round. Not the 45LC.
Will

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

.45auto-.45LC-.454Casull

My Star reloader has seperate dies and shell plates for the .45auto and .45 Long Colt but the colt dies will also load for the .454Casull which may be what you might have heard.

John Paul

 

[Johnny Guest]

Weeeelllll - - -

- -It CAN be done, and rather well, thank you.

Way back in the late sixties, I was loading .45 ACP with a set of Lyman dies on a single stage press, I think the press was CH brand. I ended up with a second generation Colt SAA at one point and found I couldn't afford factory ammo. I got to noodling around and noticed that post war .45 Colts were mostly .452 bullet diameter. I had a bunch of 230 RNL.

I found that, by purchase of the proper shell holder and careful die adjustment, I could load .45 Colt just fine with my ACP dies. Only real problem was that I had to move the expander WAY out for case belling. Also, the ACP seater die didn't turn as nice a roll crimp as a proper .45C die. But it was okay. The handloads shot accurately, if a bit low with the fixed sights. I later purchased a used 454424 mould and with the far heavier bullet, the POI came right up to aiming point.

I loaded this way for many years, until I ended up with a set of proper RCBS dies in a trade. I still use the old Lyman carbide ACP die for sizing, though.

Best,
Johnny

 

[shooter1]

Welllllllll, sounds like a determined man to me! Suprised you didn't buckle the case trying to resize. The LC case is .007 larger dia than the ACP. Of course this varies depending on the type of brass. Crimping is the only real problem as the LC needs a good roll crimp, and the ACP taper crimps. Kinda like using a paint roller to paint your car, it works, but it's really not the right tool for the job. I load for both cartridges and use the 230gr cast, from Valiant bullets in both. I buy them in large quanities, cheap. It may not be the optimum bullet for the LC, but I use it for plinking and falling plates. By the way, back in the 60s, I was hammering out reloads using the original Lee reloader kits. I did a lot of improvising in those days too!
Cheers,
Will

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

The die set for the 45ACP also is used with the 45 Win Mag round. Not the 45LC.

You're right. I forgot to look last night but that sounds right.

Larry