Can Smith and wesson 460 dies be used to load 454 and 45 colt

[Paul Calligaro]

I just got a S&W 460 revolver. It will take 45 colt 454 or 460 S&W. All use a .452 bullet. The only difference I can tell is the case length. Can I reload all three with the S&W 460 dies like I can reload 38 and 357 with same dies?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Yes and no

you could size , expan. And seat bullets but you would be unable to crimp because 454 wouldn't be long enough to reach the crimp ring inside the seat die.

 

[Randy1911]

Just load 45 Colt dies. Then you could load all three (I think?) I used to load 45 Colt with 45 Scholfield dies.

 

[rcmodel]

SAAMI case dia. specs:
454 Casull is .4475".
.460 S&W is .478".
.45 Colt is .480".

Also, the Magnum dies very likely have a smaller expander then the .45 Colt dies would have.

I have heard of chambering problems when using .45 Colt sizing dies for Freedom Arms .454 Casual revolvers due to the tight close to spec chambers they use.

Don't know how that would all play out with your gun & dies though.

At any rate, the .460 dies may not be able to roll-crimp either of the other two shorter cartridges.

EDIT: "454 Casull is .4475" should read .478".

rc

 

[R.W.Dale]

How does that work where the 454 case spec is smaller than the bullet diameter

 

[rcmodel]

Heh Heh!
Thats a real good question?

It appears Lyman #49 made a typo.
And I had a brain fart and didn't catch it.

The correct case dia should be .478", same as .460 S&W.

BTW: That's the second mistake I have found in the Lyman manual.
They also have a .222 Rem Magnum case drawing in the .222 Rem chapter.

rc

 

[Paul Calligaro]

If crimping is the problem could I use colt dies and work up to 460. I'm trying to save a few dollars and only get one set.