Need 45 LC die help

[Belmont148]

I am about to start loading 45LC for a Marlin 94 rifle and plan to run high pressure jacketed bullets. The bullets are Nosler .451 diameter, and I have heard that some dies do not work well with these newer bullets due to diameter.

I already have the Hornady 45 acp bullet seater, and also the lee sizer and powder through expander for 45 ACP. I know I need a good crimp, so I was thinking about buying a lee FCD, but didn't know if the 45 acp or 45 colt was needed. Any help/guidance is greatly appreciated as I don't want to buy the wrong thing, or double, if I can use some of the 45 ACP stuff I already have. I know this is a "hot" round and in the tube magazine a good crimp is crucial, I just want to do it right the first time.

Thanks!

 

[MEHavey]

You need to get a decent 45 Colt die set, if for no other reasons than you need the full length 45 Colt sizer, and a 45 Colt (i.e., roll crimp) seater/crimping die -- not a taper crimp (or "FCD" crimp either).

RCBS dies work fine, and I use them on my `94.
- Get a carbide sizer in the mix for considerable use.
- Seat and crimp in two operations for best effect.
- Use bullets w/ deliberate crimp gooves.
- Make the crimp ~1/2 turn past first contact.

Watch for an assymetric pressure "bulge" near the base
of the case (where unsupported) as your limiting factor

No secret decoder ring needed.
It's a straightforward cartridge to load.

 

[Belmont148]

Thanks, I was wondering about which crimp I needed.

My 45 ACP seater is a taper crimp. I'll look into the RCBS and also see what Hornady offers in a set. I have been really happy with all of my Hornady seating dies so far.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Roll crimp only.

 

[USSR]

Belmont148,

I've got a RCBS .45 LC carbide die set that I've use twice that I will part with. Contact me if interested.

Don

 

[RealGun]

I just want to do it right the first time.

Then spend the 35-40 bucks and get the right dies. Other than crimp dies and premium seaters, it is difficult to buy the other dies separately.

 

[horsemen61]

Yep having the right tools makes all the differance in the world

 

[rondog]

Get a second separate die set for .45 Colt. Don't try to be cheap and mix parts/pieces, they're different cartridges.

 

[gamestalker]

Buy a standard 45 LC die set, RCBS or Lee will do just fine. FCD isn't necessary, and would only complicate an other wise simple process. Then use the seat / roll crimp die that comes with either die set.

I couldn't tell from your post if you were also inquiring about a good high performance powder or not, so I'll offer. If you are shooting these from a firearm that can, and is built to handle full pressure loads, Ruger or Contender data in other words, then H110 or 296 would be about as full tilt as it gets. You can locate that data on Hogdon's loading pages.

GS

 

[Reloadron]

RCBS #19112 3 Die Carbide set works fine for me. The seater die will seat and roll crimp. The set should include the RCBS seater plug set 44/45 cal which is two seater plugs for RN and SWC bullets. That set is all I have ever needed.

<EDIT> Before I forget, the cases must be of uniform length so make sure they are trimmed to identical length or the roll crimps will never be correct. </EDIT>

Ron

 

[Walkalong]

Don't try to skimp, buy a .45 Colt die set. It is not a "hot" round at factory pressures, but it does use heavy bullets and some loads can suffer from bullet creep if there is not enough neck tension and/or a decent roll crimp into the bullet cannelure or crimp groove.

RCBS #19112 3 Die Carbide set works fine for me. The seater die will seat and roll crimp.

Same here, good old RCBS pistol dies.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a fan of die sets from 3 different companies:

Lee makes a good set of dies at a very reasonable price.

RCBS makes excellent dies and their customer service is unquestioned!

I am starting to really like the titanium nitride sizing ring that's in the Hornady sizing dies because they make sizing so much easier than any others dies I've ever used. (VERY EASY!)

I use mostly Lee handgun dies because of price and the powder through expander die which works well on my turret press. I use mostly RCBS rifle dies because they are excellent dies and have never failed me. I'm a creature of habit so it's hard for me to change but I have been looking at Hornady dies over the past year. I bought a used set of Hornady 45-70 dies a while back and they are performing flawlessly. I like all 3 for different reasons and would be happy with all 3.