Ed Gallop
Member
Several years ago I started loading .452 RNFP with Unique in my Pietta 45 Colt and the brass was about 80 to 90% blackened by blow-back. I slugged the barrel and it was .454 so I cast .454 with some improvement. I later started using Trail Boss with a little more improvement (less than 50% was blackened). It eventually cleaned off in the vibrator so wasn't a big problem, but it was puzzling.
I know .45 Colt's reputation for dirty brass, but not to that extent. I thought the Pietta chambers were oversized so just lived with it. I used Winchester, Remington, and Starline brass. All three were sized before use when new. Yesterday, a new shipment of Starline came in and I measured it at .473" diameter. My Lee carbide die sized to .469".
I wondered if the .004" made a difference so sized 10 and left 10 unsized, with the same loads. The sized brass were about 30% blackened (brass not showing through). The unsized were only about 20% smoked (brass shined through). My cleaning time is now a fraction of what it used to be.
I am convinced the Lee carbide die is sizing too small. Unsized brass fit too tight after firing so I'll buy a new sizing die if they size larger that .469". I would be very grateful if anyone sizing .45 Colt with other than Lee dies could provide the diameter of their sized brass. It sure would help. Ed.
I know .45 Colt's reputation for dirty brass, but not to that extent. I thought the Pietta chambers were oversized so just lived with it. I used Winchester, Remington, and Starline brass. All three were sized before use when new. Yesterday, a new shipment of Starline came in and I measured it at .473" diameter. My Lee carbide die sized to .469".
I wondered if the .004" made a difference so sized 10 and left 10 unsized, with the same loads. The sized brass were about 30% blackened (brass not showing through). The unsized were only about 20% smoked (brass shined through). My cleaning time is now a fraction of what it used to be.
I am convinced the Lee carbide die is sizing too small. Unsized brass fit too tight after firing so I'll buy a new sizing die if they size larger that .469". I would be very grateful if anyone sizing .45 Colt with other than Lee dies could provide the diameter of their sized brass. It sure would help. Ed.