Author Topic: .45LC dies (Read 680 times)

jpshaw · « **on:** October 26, 2008, 12:48:09 PM »

This may be dumb question but can you use .45 ACP sizing dies on .45LC?

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2008, 01:50:06 PM »

Yes and no. If you have enough experience you sorta can but if you have to ask you probably shouldn't try. They really are NOT appropriate and it takes a lot of jury rigging and extra effort to produce a usuable round and even then it's not gonna be properly done. Buy the correct dies.

jpshaw · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2008, 04:18:45 PM »

If I can get the sizing die to work I could jury rig the rest of it.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2008, 07:36:53 PM »

It might and it might not as I said. Case wall thickness varies and the .45acp ain't a .45 Colt. Bullets for the acp are generally .451" and for the Colt from .452" to .454" generally so it might fit and it might not. Only trying your dies and your brass will answer that question.

Generally speaking it's not gonna give you a roll crimp so needed if you're loading very warm.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2008, 12:27:02 AM »

for the 30 bucks or less a set of dies cost why bother. All you can do with the acp dies is neck size anyway.

jpshaw · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2008, 03:13:00 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on October 27, 2008, 12:27:02 AM

for the 30 bucks or less a set of dies cost why bother. All you can do with the acp dies is neck size anyway.

Okey docky - I feel chastised now.

yooper77 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2008, 03:46:10 AM »

Don't feel chastised, its good information.

Its like this if you use your 45 ACP dies for handloading the 45 Colt.

Well you could possibly get bullet jump, in a revolver and this will lock up the cylinder and shooting stops.

In a tubular magazine fed rifle, the ammo in the magazine could cause bullets to be shoved into the case deeper spiking pressures to an unsafe level.

All because they didn't have the required roll crimp from 45 Colt dies, but only a tapered crimp from the 45 ACP dies.

Plus additional thing can happen, like ruined crushed cases for improper sizing.

yooper77

jpshaw · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2008, 03:53:55 AM »

I don't worry about magazines or bullet jump since I'm trying to decide whether or not to get a .45LC barrel for my Handi single shot. It's a .30/30 now and I'm using OAL way too long for a magazine and I love it but was looking for something I could use for Louisana's new primitive firearms season (.38 or larger and single shot designed (not made) before 1900 with an exposed hammer.

yooper77 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2008, 03:59:13 AM »

I don't know the pressure limits with the 45 Colt in the NEF Handi rifle.

If a Ruger Blackhawk or T/C stout type load is allowed, then you wont be able to provide a good firm roll crimp to ensure good ignition.

yooper77

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2008, 04:02:31 AM »

Lloyd is a bit more blunt than me some times but we are both trying to explain to you that it is a bad idea.

BIG Dog454 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2008, 08:53:51 AM »

Hey guys, I use the 45 colt die (old RCBS) to size 45ACP, 45COLT, and 454 Casull. I do use different crimping die for the ACP though. They shoot fine in everything I've tried, even the tommy.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2008, 09:36:07 AM »

me blunt!! Now come on Bill im hurt by that statement

Quote from: Graybeard on October 27, 2008, 04:02:31 AM

Lloyd is a bit more blunt than me some times but we are both trying to explain to you that it is a bad idea.

Graybeard · « **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2008, 09:38:49 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on October 27, 2008, 09:36:07 AM

me blunt!! Now come on Bill im hurt by that statement
Quote from: Graybeard on October 27, 2008, 04:02:31 AM
Lloyd is a bit more blunt than me some times but we are both trying to explain to you that it is a bad idea.

Naw not you Lloyd I'm sure I was mistaken. In the dictionary beside the word Tact I'm sure there is a photo of you.

yooper77 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2008, 12:13:41 PM »

BIG Dog454,

Yes the reverse is fine, since all cases you mentioned are getting the appropriate crimps.

yooper77

jpshaw · « **Reply #14 on:** October 28, 2008, 03:22:01 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on October 27, 2008, 12:27:02 AM

All you can do with the acp dies is neck size anyway.

Not to beat a dead horse but the .45 ACP and .45LC are nothing but "neck". These aren't bottleneck cases. Only problem I can see is the difference between the .4762 rear case diameter of the ACP and the .4800 diameter of the LC.

yooper77 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 28, 2008, 03:30:23 AM »

Yes, I agree about the necks, but the crimps are totally different. Tapered vs roll.

If you work up a 45 Colt load using slow burning powder, it will require a firm crimp in order to achieve good ignition.

The taper crimps you will get from the 45 ACP dies will not give a firm crimp the 45 Colt requires.

In order to find out if it will work for you, give it a try.

yooper77

jpshaw · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2008, 04:37:25 AM »

Quote from: yooper77 on October 28, 2008, 03:30:23 AM

Yes, I agree about the necks, but the crimps are totally different. Tapered vs roll. The taper crimps you will get from the 45 ACP dies will not give a firm crimp the 45 Colt requires.

Are we assuming "revolver" and the problem of bullet jump? Remember these will be for a single shot Handi rifle.

yooper77 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 28, 2008, 04:39:11 AM »

Quote from: yooper77 on October 28, 2008, 03:30:23 AM

Yes, I agree about the necks, but the crimps are totally different. Tapered vs roll.

If you work up a 45 Colt load using slow burning powder, it will require a firm crimp in order to achieve good ignition.

The taper crimps you will get from the 45 ACP dies will not give a firm crimp the 45 Colt requires.

In order to find out if it will work for you, give it a try.

yooper77

Nope, I am talking about a uniform crimp for proper ignition, regardless of firearm or action.

yooper77

jpshaw · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2008, 04:42:01 AM »

Quote from: yooper77 on October 28, 2008, 04:39:11 AM

Nope, I am talking about a uniform crimp for proper ignition, regardless of firearm or action.

yooper77

OK I will just add the cost of .45LC dies when making my decision to buy the .45LC barrel. Thanks to everyone for their input, expecially yooper77.

jpshaw · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2008, 05:07:56 AM »

Quote from: yooper77 on October 27, 2008, 03:59:13 AM

I don't know the pressure limits with the 45 Colt in the NEF Handi rifle.

If a Ruger Blackhawk or T/C stout type load is allowed, then you wont be able to provide a good firm roll crimp to ensure good ignition.

yooper77

Just an add-on. The Handi is not the refined piece that a T/C or Ruger is but rest assured if the load is safe in either of the ones mentioned, it's safe in a Handi. The Handi takes .45/70 and .30-06 loads. I'm sure it can handle a .45LC.

yooper77 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2008, 05:38:43 AM »

I don’t own any Handi's so I am not sure of their limits. I would not assume Ruger or T/C 45 Colt loads are automatically safe. I would ask NEF to make 100% certain.

What 45 Colt load were you looking at producing for your Handi?

If it’s one of the slow burning kind like H-110 or 296 they need a heavy or firm uniform roll crimp in order for the power charge to burn properly.

Yes, the 30-06 Springfield, but the 45-70 Government isn’t really saying much in pressure, again I would have to ask NEF to make sure.

There are different loads for different guns when it comes to the 45-70 Government pressure variables.

yooper77