Need help loading 45 Gap, Cases won't flare

[Frankl03]

Like it says above I'm having trouble loading 45 Gap. I'm new to pistol loading. I have been loading rifle for a couple of years.

I have a lee 4 Turret press. I was under the impression I could use 45 acp dies. I'm using the lee 4 dies set. I'm trying to load plated bullets

I can't seem to get the cases to flare using the PTE die. I have tried the die in several different positions, one turn out, all the way turned down, all the way down plus 1/3 of a turn. Nothing seems to do it. I have the die set up with the auto disk powder measure.

Any Ideas? Should I try to buy 45 Gap specific dies or a Universal expander die?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Walkalong]

You might be able to use a spacer above the flaring piece and under the screw in "funnel" to get the flare down lower. There is a good bit of spave in between those two things in my Lee expanders. I do not have a .45 ACP one though.

 

[Frankl03]

A spacer like a washer or hard rubber grommet? I will look for something that may fit inside the die.
Thanks!

 

[rich636]

Hmmm .143 inch difference in case length maybe out of the reach of the die. I would call their tech services and ask if it's possible. Personally I would pony up for a GAP specific die set and not look back.

Edit: It maybe be that the flaring die for the two calibers is the same, but the inner post is longer for the gap....in which case I'd call the die company and see if you can just get the post.

 

[243winxb]

buy 45 Gap specific dies

Interchangeable dies

Frequently, dies from caliber may be used to load other calibers. Due to the locations of crimping shoulders, the operation may only work for dies of the shorter caliber to the longer.

You may notice a label depicting the shorter die in your set for the longer version of the cartridge, we do this to reduce costs.

45 Colt - 454 Casull *
44 Special - 44 Magnum
38 Special - 357 Magnum
357 Magnum - 357 Maximum
38 Super - 9 mm Largo
44 Russian - 44 Special
40 Smith & Wesson - 10 mm - 41 Action Express
32 Smith & Wesson - 32 S&W Long - 32 H&R Magnum **

*The 45 Colt expander die will also work for the 454 Casull, by backing the die out approximately two turns to compensate for the difference in case length.

**Our dies allow the use of .308 bullets in the 32 H&R Magnum. The other bullet diameter commonly used is .311 and that is the expander that comes with the set. To use .308 bullets, it is necessary to purchase an additional expander and turn it down to .308. This can be done using a drill press and emery cloth or if you buy the additional expander from the factory, we will do it for $10.00.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/faq/index.cgi

 

[Walkalong]

buy 45 Gap specific dies

Definitely the long term solution, but I am positive a spacer will work to flare it. The seating and crimp is a whole nother issue as well though. Did not sound as if he had a seating problem, but maybe he hasn't gotten that far yet.

 

[Frankl03]

No problem with seating! But I did order the 45 Gap specific dies from Midway. I should get them this week sometime.
Good call! I hope to have better results to report once I receive them and start using them.
Sizing pistol cases is a breeze compared to rifle.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Mind telling me which set of dies you ordered for the 45 Gap? The only set I could find on Midway's site for the 45 Gap is RCBS 18915 and it is also used for the 45 auto. If there is a set made specifically made for the 45 Gap I would like to order a set. Thanks.

 

[LiveLife]

The only set I could find on Midway's site for the 45 Gap is RCBS 18915

They also have Lee carbide 45 GAP dies for $26 (back ordered and due 3/5/10)

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=613192

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Thanks! I had read on one of the boards that only RCBS was making a set of dies specifically for the 45 Gap so I hadn't bothered to check under Lee.

 

[LiveLife]

Glad to be of assistance.