First attempt at reloading .45acp

[345 DeSoto]

In order to not waste rounds, when you go to set your bullet for COAL, start by setting it high (to long). Measure COAL, and if it is to long, set it to seat just a bit deeper. Keep at it until you've got it set to the COAL you need. All you wind up using is one round.

 

[Armored farmer]

Ok desoto
I have been doing that but i think i may have my die screwed in too far because. I get a bit of crimp and then i cannot push rhe bullet deeper without making a slight bulge in the bullet which prevents it from chambering.
I appreciate all the tips.
This bullet/OAL/chamber combination has me baffled.
Never had all these problems with. 357

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

I have been doing that but i think i may have my die screwed in too far because. I get a bit of crimp and then i cannot push rhe bullet deeper without making a slight bulge in the bullet which prevents it from chambering.

Sounds about right. 3 piece LEE die right? Just back off on the crimp adjustment until it stops crimping so much. Remember too not to over crimp, Just a slight taper to take out the flare is plenty. Case Neck tension is sufficient for common semi-auto pistol calibers unlike a roll crimp or heavy roll crimp for 38 special, 357 Magnum, etc.

 

[Nordeste]

I don't know if I'm getting something wrong here, or if the three die set for the .45 is much different than the regular 4-die set for the 9 mm, but in my 4-die set, the third die (which looks pretty similar to the one in the photo), the adjusting screw is to be used for adjusting the seating depth, and the crimp is adjusted by screwing in or out the body of the die.

I personally use the third die only for seating and use the 4th for taper crimping. I had to unscrew the die another full turn plus the three that the instructions say are needed, in order to prevent it from taper crimping my rounds. This way, when the bullet is seated I can still observe a little bit of flare on the case, which is then removed by the taper crimp performed by the 4th die.

 

[Armored farmer]

Looks like wreck-n-ball has his labels backwards in his photo.

BTW, I am very appreciative of all the comments and helpful advice. Just wanted to say in case I forget.
I'm am about too busy to spend much time at the bench lately. I had intended to get to sit at the reloading bench last nite until I had this ironed out, but unfortunately my neighbor had an emergency with his dog that needed my help.

 

[Potatohead]

Yes, the labels need to be flip flopped I believe.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

AAAHHHHGG! they are backward!...Edit time....:banghead: