In a pinch, could .45ACP dies work to reload .45 Colt?

[Quoheleth]

Simple question - in a pinch could .45ACP dies work to load some .45 Colt? I would think so as they are the same case diameter. Obviously the case length differs, so this would basically neck size the case, only. And, when crimping the bullet in place, it wouldn't full-length size the case. If I'm careful, would it work for a couple handsful of .45 Colt ammo?

Buddy wants to try reloading for his Blackhawk before investing in the gear and I don't have the .45 Colt dies - just ACP - and his gun isn't the convertable model.

Q

 

[rjrivero]

Interesting question.

I don't know if "neck sizing" a strait walled cartridge will work. It may. But how would you de-cap the cases if you can't put the case in a full stroke on the press?

 

[Mal H]

No, that's not recommended. You can often go the other way - making .45 ACP rounds with a .45 Colt die set as long as you can use a roll crimp bullet or use a very light roll crimp which is essentially a taper crimp.

The .45 ACP dies being shorter at the crimp area would create a very long taper crimp even before you seated a bullet. That would make seating the bullet difficult at best, and yield a tighter than usual purchase on the bullet. Who knows what that would do for pressure?

You would also have to take into account the bore size of the .45 Colt. Does it require .452" bullets or .454" bullets? A .45 ACP is almost always machined for .451" bullets (although .452" lead works just fine).

Try one without a primer or powder and see what happens.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've used the .45acp seater and crimp dies with my .45 Colt single shot carbine.
One big problem for a revolver is the crimp. You'll want a roll or profile crimp for the Blackhawk, most .45acp dies will have a taper crimp.

 

[CraigC]

Gonna need a shellholder anyway so.....

 

[Quoheleth]

Well...it was a thought...

For decapping, I have a Lee Classic Loader for .357 Magnum; figured in a pinch I could use it (it's basically a hammer-driven punch).

I didn't even think @ the shellholder.
Or the crimp.
Or...

He'll just have to either pony up for a set of his own reloading tools, or at least pick up a set of dies.

Q

 

[rcmodel]

I would think so as they are the same case diameter.

Actually, they are not the same diameter.

The .45 ACP case is slightly tapered from a .473" case mouth to a .476" base near the extractor groove.

The .45 Colt case is straight, and measures .480" the full length.

In addition the .45 ACP seating die provides a Taper crimp.
.45 Colt dies provide a Roll crimp to hold the bullet from pulling by revolver recoil.

Get the proper dies.

rc

 

[FROGO207]

I experimented with this last year. I used 230 grain lead rn I use in my 1911. The long and short is that yes it is possible to get the round to fire safely. BUT the accuracy of that round in the 45 Uberti that I was using was at best POOR!! Not enough bullet diameter to get a good gas seal on the bullet base and engage the rifling well. I never had a problem with the taper crimp holding the bullets but did not make a large number them (25) so don't really know for sure. My opinion is that it is a waste of effort.

 

[1911Tuner]

I've been using a .45 ACP sizer die for .45 Colt cases for several years now. The .45 Colt dies that I got at a yard sale didn't have a carbide sizer die...and I got tired of lubing and wiping...along with the ocasional scratch that had to be polished out...so one day, I tried the ACP die. Worked like a champ, and I haven't looked back.

 

[Walkalong]

One of my .45 ACP sizers is only .002 smaller than my .45 Colt sizer, so I expect I could use it without any problem, and I taper crimp plated bullets in .45 Colt with an old .45 ACP seater with no plug.

I would not want to have to keep re-adjusting the die set to load both though, even if it worked decently.

 

[1911Tuner]

WA...No need to adjust the sizer die. The expander used with cases could present a problem with proper belling if not adjusted...and with proper expansion for some of the longer 250-grain bullets in the Colt cases. The seater die is where trouble comes. The .45 Colt die's crimping area is too deep to work with .45 ACP. You could seat with it and crimp separately without a problem. The newer ACP seater dies have a taper crimp section, which may not be suitable for the .45 Colt...so you'll need the proper die for seating/crimping if done together.

 

[Walkalong]

Naturally there is no need to re-adjust the sizer, but I'm lazy I guess, cause I want to set them all and forget em. Plus I know I am repeating the load exactly if I don't have to re-adjust any of the dies in the set.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A set of Lee Carbide dies will cost you under $25. Is it really worth all the trouble not buying the correct dies?