460 S&W Crimp

[ShootMeStraight]

I use the Lee Factory Crimp Die for 357 and 44 but use the Collet Crimp Die for 500 S&W since I’d have to get a custom FCD made. For 460 S&W Lee says their 45 Colt FCD will work. Anyone use this? Or should I just go for the 460 S&W Collet? I’m mostly going to be loading 250gr copper plated bullets. Thank you.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'd think the FCD if adjusted correctly would work quite well. Don't roll crimp the plated bullets, a gentle taper crimp is all the plating can handle.

 

[Targa]

Do those copper plated rounds have a cannelure? If they do I would just use the LEE FCD. If not, then definitely the collet die. It sounds like it has worked well for your .500, the .460 won’t be any different.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

Yes I only use bullets with a cannelure in revolvers so I can roll crimp.

 

[lordpaxman]

The only thing I’ve loaded and shot in my .460 is the magnum version of the XTP. It has an extra thick jacket for this monster round and I found I needed a substantial roll crimp to prevent any bullet movement. I’d really question a plated bullet especially at full power loads.
I’m not sure what your intention is with a plated bullet but when I want to download .460, it’s in the form a .45. Good luck!

 

[Targa]

I’d really question a plated bullet especially at full power loads.

That is a good point.

 

[243winxb]

After bullet seating, case needs to have expanded .004" minimum.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

The plated bullets I use are rated for 2000fps

 

[ShootMeStraight]

I use plated 350gr bullets in my 500 S&W over 38gr of N110, no issues.

 

[Grumulkin]

I use the Lee Factory Crimp Die for 357 and 44 but use the Collet Crimp Die for 500 S&W since I’d have to get a custom FCD made. For 460 S&W Lee says their 45 Colt FCD will work. Anyone use this? Or should I just go for the 460 S&W Collet? I’m mostly going to be loading 250gr copper plated bullets.

If you are ever going to load full power loads in a 460 S&W Magnum revolver I would definitely go with the Factory Crimp Die. If you don't, I can pretty much guarantee you will either crush cases trying to get a crimp good enough to hold the bullet under recoil or your bullets will move under recoil and I'm not talking about the one going out the end of the barrel.

In addition I have to do something with 460 S&W Magnum loads I don't do with any other cartridge. I put new cases through a sizing die or the bullets will move in the cylinder then the gun is fired.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

I put new cases through a sizing die or the bullets will move in the cylinder then the gun is fired.

Not just that........
Not so much as having the bullets move but not being able to chamber.
I do not recall which manufacture it was, but for some rookie reason I did not size before loading new brass.
Lesson learned.......... plus I trim all new brass to me one time if needed. Saves time and frustration down the road.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

If you are ever going to load full power loads in a 460 S&W Magnum revolver I would definitely go with the Factory Crimp Die. If you don't, I can pretty much guarantee you will either crush cases trying to get a crimp good enough to hold the bullet under recoil or your bullets will move under recoil and I'm not talking about the one going out the end of the barrel.

Not a fan of the Lee Collet Style Crimp Die? I use it in the 500 S&W but I don't like the look of the crimp as much I do when I crimp 357 and 44 with a FCD. Maybe I'll custom order a 500 S&W FCD from Lee? Anyone do that before?

 

[Rule3]

When I had and reloaded for my 460 I used the LFCD (45 Colt) with Hornady bullets

It crimped just fine.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

When I had and reloaded for my 460 I used the LFCD (45 Colt) with Hornady bullets

It crimped just fine.

Perfect. Thank you. I was just a little concerned that you would have to back the die out too far for the long 460 S&W case.

 

[Rule3]

Perfect. Thank you. I was just a little concerned that you would have to back the die out too far for the long 460 S&W case.

I believe I gave you incorrect info. It has been a while. I now think I used the Lee Collet Die to crimp the 460. I have dies for the 45 Colt

It would be best to call or e mail LEE, Sorry for any confusion.

 

[243winxb]

https://leeprecision.com/lee-collet-style-crimp-die/

 

[Toprudder]

Don’t use plated bullets in the 460 for anything more than 45 Colt loads, IMHO. Speer has some good information about their bullets and which ones are rated for the pressure of 460.

As far as crimp, get the 460 collet style die. The collet style crimpers are the only ones I will use.

 

[sparkyv]

I use the Lee Collet Style Crimp Die in my 460 and it works well for projectiles with a cannelure. Bullets with no cannelure jump the crimp a little more than 50 thou after 8 shots and cause no issues, but I haven't optimized the amount of crimping yet. I'm considering the collet crimp die for 44 Mag, too.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

Don’t use plated bullets in the 460 for anything more than 45 Colt loads, IMHO. Speer has some good information about their bullets and which ones are rated for the pressure of 460.

I use plated bullets (with a cannelure) rated for 2000fps in my 500 S&W that I clocked at 1900fps and that thing is a tack driver. I don't see how it will be any different with 460 S&W if I keep it under 2000fps.

 

[Toprudder]

I use plated bullets (with a cannelure) rated for 2000fps in my 500 S&W that I clocked at 1900fps and that thing is a tack driver. I don't see how it will be any different with 460 S&W if I keep it under 2000fps.

FWIW, I have seen plating failure in 44mag, even when velocity was kept to less than 1200 fps. I think the long jump in a revolver, before the bullet reaches the barrel and forms a gas seal, can cause flame cutting on the plating. I have to imagine that is a real problem in something like the 460, but if it works for you in the 500, that's great.

460 is rated for 65k psi, which is magnum rifle territory. Most loads, however, are at 55k psi or less, and my experience is that if you start to approach max loads then the cases are hard to extract, which is why most factory loads are limited in pressure. Perhaps the lower pressure would be ok for plated bullets in 460, IDK. I will stick with the recommendation of Speer and limit my loads to bullets rated for the pressure. I notice that 500 S&W is rated for a slightly lower pressure.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

You must have been using cheap, low quality plated bullets. Campro makes excellent plated bullets.

 

[Toprudder]

You must have been using cheap, low quality plated bullets. Campro makes excellent plated bullets.

Could very well be, they were Xtreme. I seriously doubt that plated bullets, any brand, would be rated for 65k psi, though.

 

[buck460XVR]

You must have been using cheap, low quality plated bullets. Campro makes excellent plated bullets.

Kinda the whole reasoning behind using plated bullets is that they are cheap. The minute you get to real quality "plated" bullets, they are sometimes called "bonded" and cost as much as jacketed(i.e., Speer Deep Curl/Gold Dot handgun bullets). I don't see those Cam Pro bullets as even close. Since their own description of the bullet is .45 Colt 250 RNFP, and their load data is consistent with standard .45 Colt loadings, I'd surmise that's what the bullet is intended for. I assume the intent is to use them for target shooting since they would have no hunting or SD application. Thus, low end .460 or high end .45 Colt loads would be just fine. Crimp only ass much as neccesary to keep the bullet from jumping under recoil. This should also be the limit of your powder charge. Cam Pro claims their bullets are very "ductile", meaning they change shape very easily. This would tell me that a heavy crimp generallyu needed for legitimate .460 velocities would damage the bullet, producing inaccuracy. The idea of having a high performance firearm and using low performance ammo seems to be contradictory. Kinda like trying to run a race engine on standard low lead gas. Sure it can be done, but it is not optimal. If one cannot afford to feed their .460 what it needs to obtain what it's designed for, they should just get a .45 Colt.

JMTCs.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

Well I haven’t had an issue with them over 40gr of IMR 4227 running just under 2000fps. Just like Berry’s 350gr perform flawlessly in my 500.