45 ACP reloading question

[12 Volt Man]

Hey guys. Just picked up used a rockchucker. I had a very old set of RCBS dies (cardboard box) lying around. Looks to be from the late 60's. Everything appears to be in working order.

Figured out the deprimer and expander die.

Then I figured out the bullet seater die.

But there is a tapering or crimping sort of die. I figured out how it works. Basically snugs the brass up against the bullet. What I am not clear on, is where do I set that, and how to I know the right adjustment. Do I just screw the die in all the way to the shell holder (up position)? Or would that put too much taper on it?

I hope that makes sense. I wanted to turn out 10 or 20 lighter loaded bullets tonite and try them tomorrow.

 

[12 Volt Man]

May have answered my own question. Found a website that recommends. Crimping to .466-.470 at the top of the casing.

Does that sound right?

 

[Ol` Joe]

It`s a trial and error thing, you want to just add a bit of crimp to the case after removing the "bell" from the expander.
Do you have a manual? most will have instructions on setting up your dies and tips on useing them.

 

[12 Volt Man]

I tried a few things. I've wasted 20 bullets, primers, and brass now. I think the problem is with the sizing of the cases. I am missing something. No instructions were there in that old set of dies.

I load 'em all up. Seat the bullets to the correct seating measurements then crimp. But the bullets will still push back in to the case without much pressure at all. I can push them in with my fingers.

Maybe the dies are too old, or maybe they were broken. They look good to me. To me there should be a step where it sizes the case tighter. I mess with the sizing die, the one that pops out the primers, and I can't make it do anything but pop primers or spread the top of the case out more.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Maybe the dies are too old, or maybe they were broken. They look good to me. To me there should be a step where it sizes the case tighter. I mess with the sizing die, the one that pops out the primers, and I can't make it do anything but pop primers or spread the top of the case out more.

The die that removes the primer is the same that expands the mouth for easier bullet seating. That isn`t the sizer. There should be three dies in a pistol set; sizer - expander/deprimer - and seater/crimp. In some dies the crimp die is a fourth seperate die. I`ve dies that date to the mid 60s and have I don`t know how many cases ran in them. They don`t wear out and if damaged it will be very noticable.

But there is a tapering or crimping sort of die. I figured out how it works. Basically snugs the brass up against the bullet. What I am not clear on, is where do I set that, and how to I know the right adjustment

I have a feeling that is really your sizer not a crimp die. The crimp is likely done with the seater. Is there a ID on the die anywhere that identifies it as to its use? most dies are marked with a stamp toward the top of the body.

I once more urge you, pick up a manual and read the instruction in the front of it on equipment set up. The book will explain what you need to know to get started. Reloading isn`t hard to do but one needs to firmly understand the basics before starting.

 

[EddieCoyle]

For .45 ACP, the crimp should be a light taper crimp, the only purpose of which is to remove the belling from the expander die. This simply allows the round to chamber. The crimp does not hold the bullet.

It might not be the dies; it could be the brass. What kind is it? Remington (R-P headstamp) brass is thin and others (including myself) have had problems with it.

Here are a couple of recent threads on the subject:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=202024&highlight=bad+bullets

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=202300&highlight=remington+brass

 

[ulflyer]

I have RCBS dies in my 550 and the deprimer/sizer only does that....it does not bell/expand the mouth of the case.
If yours does expand the mouth, it sounds to me like you have it expanding too much and thats why the bullet is slipping down in too far. You want it the mouth tight enough that you can't push a bullet in with your fingers. Then it should hold wherever you seat it and then the crimp die will tighten it up a bit. Does not have to be real tight. On mine, you can barely feel it crimp if you pull the lever down easy.

 

[Jim Watson]

RCBS dies are stamped on top as to their function.
Contact RCBS, get die instructions, get a handloading manual.

 

[12 Volt Man]

got some instructions for the dies off their website. Back to the bench.

 

[12 Volt Man]

You guys were right. I was trying to use the sizer die to try and crimp. I got a few loaded up on the lighter side to see how they work. I hope they'll feed through my 1911 and CZ97.

Great fun.

 

[ReloaderFred]

The older RCBS dies used a sizer die, then the decapping die also belled the case mouth, then the final die seated and crimped the bullet. There should be a two digit number stamped on those dies, which will be the year they were manufactured. The newer dies don't have a date stamp on them, but all the older ones from RCBS did.

It sounds like you've got it worked out, but RCBS can provide you with the instructions for those dies. They are more than helpful to deal with, and will guarantee their products for life.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[12 Volt Man]

20 rounds without a hitch through my CZ97.

Here was my load.

Speer 230 Grain TMJ
5.3 grains Bullseye
Federal Large Pistol Primers

 

[SASS#23149]

Now ya done it!!!

Ya went and got your self a hobby that will consume all of your non shooting itme,and your friends and family will never see you again because yo'll be toooooo busy loading more ammo!!!