45 Auto

[bronco73401]

Other than the obvious difference in the shell holder, can 45 auto dies be used for 45 colt? Reason i ask is i have a blackhawk convertible dont want to get both sets of dies if  i dont have to.

Lance

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

I'd say another set of dies would be in order. JMO 




Bill

[stimpylu32]

Heres a firm - MAYBE - the reason I say that is a couple things ,

1. The ACP dies are shorter and will need to be set differently than the colt dies , plus the ACP dies will not size the Colt case properly all the way to the base .

2. Yet if you are using the same bullet for both rounds like I do sometimes , then you can use the ACP dies to do a sort-a neck sizing of the Colt case's and bell & seat with the auto dies too . However the auto seater will do a Taper crimp and not a Roll crimp like the Colt does better with .

So in the short term , yes it can be done . Is it the best / proper way , not realy . 

stimpy

 

[HAMMERHEAD]

I use my .45acp competition seater die (Redding) and my .45acp taper crimp die to load .45 Colt for my Handi rifle.
3leggedturtle uses the .45acp sizer die to size just the top half (or less) of his .45 Colt brass for his lever action. He claims less 'blow by' with light loads.
As suggested, you need a roll crimp and full length sizing for your revolver, the .45acp dies won't do it. You could probably get by with a firm taper crimp with light .45 Colt loads, but you will almost certainly need to full length size them with a proper .45 Colt sizer die.