Use of 3-die set for .45 ACP?

[Nando Aqui]

It has been over 25 years since I last loaded .45 ACP and I have forgotten which die is used first. I have an idea, but I am not sure, so I better ask.

The die set I have is "RCBS 3-die set, .45 ACP RN, Group B, No. 18905" (which I can't even find listed anywhere)

It consists of:
Size Die #1 74 (marked as such)
Decapping, and I believe expander, Die (no markings)
Seat Die #3 74 (marked as such)

Question 1:
Are the dies used in the order I listed them?

I used to reload semi-wad-cutter, lead bullets for my Colt Gold Cup Mk-IV (which I no longer have) and now plan to reload FMJ with Flat Point, Hollow Point, and RN for my H&K USP Tactical.

Question 2:
Does the "RN" after .45 ACP mean Round Nose bullets? Is it OK to use the die for Flat Point bullets? (Since I have used them for semi-wad cutters, I imagine so, but again, I better ask.)

Thanks for your help.
Alex

 

[lee n. field]

You have the older style die set, with the decapping ping on the expanding die. Now-a-days it's on the sizing die.

You've got the order right.

IMHO, you'll probably be ok with that seating plug, but you should be able to get the flat one from RCBS.

 

[Jim Watson]

Answer 1: Do you not have a handloading manual any more? Get one. Not trying to be nasty, but after 25 years this is not something to trust to memory. I had a coworker whose father in law was going to demonstrate reloading after some years absence and had forgotten enough to make a mess. Fortunately not dangerous, just a mess.

Answer 2: RN means round nose, means only that the seating screw in the seating die is shaped to fit a round nose. I use one for roundnose and hollowpoint. Most of the flat point autopistol bullets I have seen have enough radius on the edge of the flat for it to work for them, too. If you are going to load Speer bullets, RCBS will sell you seating plugs specifically for those bullets of whatever style.

Answer 3: To question unasked. A three die set means that you are either seating and crimping at the same time, which is not real desirable for an autoloader; or that you are seating and then readjusting to crimp, which is slow. Add a taper crimp die to make up a 4-die set, and adjust the seating die to NOT crimp. By the book.

 

[RON in PA]

If this is a non-carbide die set that requires you to lube the cases before you size them I would scrape the die set and invest in a four die set with a carbide resizer and that separates bullet seating and crimping. This should cost you approx. $30 bucks. Try Midwayusa.com.

Also I second the idea of getting a current reloading manual.

 

[Nando Aqui]

• I may just get a new .45 ACP die set. The one I have is not carbide (cost me $14.95 back when...) I just bought a new Redding 3-die set for .308 as my old set was 'questionable'. My 30-06 2-die set appears to be OK.

• I do have old manuals from Lyman, Hornady, Winchester and a couple of others, but I do not have the pamphlet that came with this die set that explained its use. I recently read about the difference between the 'old' and 'new' dies sets, which is what made me wonder.

• There are a lot more bullets offered now by Hornady, Speer, etc., and many more powders than listed in the old manuals, so about a month ago I bought the latest Speer manual, as I started using .308 SMK bullets.

• I have collected a lot of 'new' information from various manufacturers websites regarding load charges, case dimensions, C.O.A.L. and other necessary data for the cartridges I will again be reloading: .308, 30.06, and .45 ACP. I probably will not reload 9 mm, .38 Special, or .222, as I used to and for which I have dies.

• HOWEVER, I have found that contributors to several firearms-related websites, such the THR, provide either the most complete information OR WHAT information to get and WHERE to get it.

Your answers, above, are testament to my last point! Thanks to all!!


Alex