.454 and .45 Colt - how much crossover / where to start?

[Kaylee]

I'm presently looking at a .454 carbine and .45 Colt Ruger. I'd like to be able to share hot .45 between 'em, as well as lighter .45s for fun and practice and heavier .454s in the carbine for woodstromping.

So.. what components can be shared back and forth, and what setup should I look for if I'm really intending to stay with those cartridges and want something easier to use than the mallet-and-stand simple kits but easier to move than great big ol' machines?

Thanks!

-K

 

[CZ57]

Plenty of crossover! There is 30,000 CUP load data in the Accurate #2 load manual. Either #7 or #9 will work well and usable in .454 Casull loads. http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/...al(11.5mm)/45 Colt 30CUP with start loads.pdf
This data will give you .45 Colt loads that are about .44 Magnum power level with #7 or #9. The standard data for .45 Colt is much lighter and #9 will be too slow for these loads, #7 may be as well, but #5 will work and Ramshot True Blue would be a very good choice.

As far as a good reloading set-up, the kits from REDDING, Lyman, RCBS and Hornady are great. I'm very partial to REDDING tools, but if I were in the market today, I'd have a hard time passing on the LEE Classic Turret press. Load rounds as you would on a single stage, or load semi-progressive with the auto index activated. Very versatile and I do some things in case prep that really won't allow a progressive to work for me.