reloading a Dan Wesson 460 Super Mag

[Travis Shuck]

Hi I am new to reloading and would like a little help with this cartridge.  I can not buy any bullets for this revolver since they only made two of them.  I do however have 1,000 empty cases for it.  THe case is a lengthened 45 Win Mag.  They measure 1.61 inches long.  I have heard people using 44 mag dies to load the 445 super mag bullets and was wondering if the 45 Win Mag dies would work for this.  I have thought about using 454 cassul dies but the headspace on the 45 win mag is .004 inches smaller than the 454.

Thank You,
Travis

[PaulS]

I was under the impression that the 460 bullets were the same diameter as 454 bullets. I have seen load data for this cartridge on the net - Not sure where but look at Speer supplemental data an Hodgdon on line data.

[Travis Shuck]

The S&W 460 is a stretched 454.  The Dan Wesson 460 SM is a stretched 45 Win. Mag.  They both use .451 bullets, but I was concerned about the proper sizing of the case.  Also I would like to know if using the 45 Win. Mag. dies would be ok since the case on the 460 is longer?  And if so how would I go about setting it up properly?

Thank You,
Travis

[PaulS]

Do you feel that you have to size the entire length of the brass? If not (and I would say just size the first 1/2 inch of it) then you can use the 45 mag die to size your cases. I size my 357 Maximum cases only through the neck area. Neck sizing straight wall cases keeps them at the diameter of the chamber (minus about .001") and I have good accuracy to show for it. I used to break decapping pins ocasionally but they are cheap.

[Travis Shuck]

Thank you I was hoping that would be the case. I did not want to spend the money on custom dies if I didn't have to.
I will let you know how it all turns out.

[Travis Shuck]

I have ordered my dies.  I ordered Lee carbide 45 Win. Mag dies and plan to start loading as soon as they get here.

I can't find any load data on this round, so I was planning on starting with Hornady 230 HP/XTP's over 30 grains of H4227 with a CCI 350 primer.
I will work my way up from there.

I was considering H110 instead, but have heard of some top strap cutting from this powder.  Has anyone else heard anything like that.