Buck13
Member
Looks like time to gear up to load .45s. Which dies do you like, and why?
Dies for .45 ACP?
- Thread starter Buck13
- Start date
I have the Lee 4-die carbide set. It’s a great value and produces nicely finished rounds. I like to crimp as a separate step, so a 4 die set is needed. Never a problem.
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kerreckt
Member
I have Lee, Rcbs (old and new), and old Lyman. They all work as they should. I don't prefer one to another.
I bought a used 380 RCBS set (carbide sizer) from a co-worker. And for $5 more, he threw in a RCBS 45 Auto set with a steel sizer. It had a tendency to attract foreign particles that left the cases with scratches, that to the old naked eye, caused me concern. The die just needed steel wood taken to it. I replaced the set with a Lee set. And pay-out-forward to someone here.
N555
Member
Yes. Crimp separate with hollow points as the seating and taper crimp tends to crush the hollow point. On 45acp if you want the hollow point to do its thing at 45acp velocity you don't want that opening smashed in.
With FMJ, just taper crimp ad you smash the bullet in there, FMJs don't care.
With FMJ, just taper crimp ad you smash the bullet in there, FMJs don't care.
AJC1
Member
I have and use the rcbs 45acp carbide set. I load both cast and jacketed and that two step expander is gooder....
lightman
Member
This is my strategy too! Because they have great customer support and they just work! Truth being, all brands will work and are capable of making good ammo. There is a lot of advantage in having the same brand on your bench.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
I like Lee for hand gun loads.
Seedy Character
Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2021
- Messages
- 2,064
Most of mine are RCBS. I have Lee and Hornady, also. They all work.
As stated, GET THE CARBIDE SIZING DIE for every straight wall caliber you load.
I love my Lee Universal decapping dies and Factory Crimp dies.
ETA: the .45 ACP dies are RCBS carbide die set.
As stated, GET THE CARBIDE SIZING DIE for every straight wall caliber you load.
I love my Lee Universal decapping dies and Factory Crimp dies.
ETA: the .45 ACP dies are RCBS carbide die set.
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sevt_chevelle
Member
All my dies are pretty much Redding. Had a set of defective Lee dies when I first started, bought a set of Redding to try out and haven't looked back since.
Blue68f100
Member
I'm using Hornady pistol dies. My test showed that the TiNi coated sizer takes less force than the carbide sizing die. Loading on a AP makes things run smoother.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,102
What I like and what I recommend are two different things. I bought three sets - a Lee 4-die set, a Lee .455 Webley 3-die set, and a Hornady Platinum .45ACP set - and added an RCBS sizing die to that, Why?
The RCBS is slightly under size and I like that for my Star M-45. It has a tight chamber.
The Hornady sizer is slightly large and I like that for my Smith & Wesson 1917 .45 AutoRim revolver.
The Lee set has a powder-through expander and factory crimp die, which I like for bullets that work better with a little taper crimp.
The Hornady expander is an M-Die type, which I like for coated bullets so they don't get scraped.
The .455 Webley sizer and expander work well for converting .45AR to .455 for my Webley Mk.1 revolver. That gun needs a black powder load so it's got a kit of its own.
...and so it goes...
Now, the thing is, I don't use each piece with every load and I don't keep them all in one "kit" box. I mix-n-match depending on what I'm reloading that session - .45ACP, .45AR, . I don't recommend most people do what I do so, what I recommend is, decide if you are going to want an M-die expander, a powder-through expander, a separate crimp/seat die, and/or a decapping stem in your sizing die. I took out all of the decapping stems from my sizing dies since I started using a Lee Universal decapping die. There's no law says you have to buy kits or stick to one brand but, for most people, it's easier and more convenient. Me, I got NO brand loyalty whatsoever - and far as I can tell, the die makers have got NO customer loyalty to me, either, so it's a fair trade.
The only thing I don't like about Lee 45 ACP dies is the powder through/flaring die stem is kinda short. For my cast bullets I needed more flare than the Lee die provided (I have a dozen other Lee die sets and none have this "problem"). A universal flaring die works quite well. I added a taper crimp die to my set as I prefer crimping (deflaring) in a separate step...
My base set is RCBS, but I added on a Redding competition seater. It definitely made a huge difference in my loads straightness with cast bullets. Plus I've recorded all of the settings for the different bullets that I load so I can switch over and be up to speed immediately.
ETA: I forgot that I bought a Redding Dual Ring carbide sizer. I loaded some cases with it and took it off for some reason which as I sit here I can't remember. I don't think that it was anything major, and I also don't remember much difference from the RCBS. I need to put that back on and play with it some.
ETA: I forgot that I bought a Redding Dual Ring carbide sizer. I loaded some cases with it and took it off for some reason which as I sit here I can't remember. I don't think that it was anything major, and I also don't remember much difference from the RCBS. I need to put that back on and play with it some.
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CoalTrain49
Member
RCBS here. I think they all work. I have some Lee dies also.
Jim Watson
Member
Does anybody still make steel .45 ACP sizing dies any more?
I have bought old die sets at gun shows to get extra seating dies I could leave adjusted for one bullet, but that is the only place I have seen a steel sizer in many years. My first pistol die set was steel, to which I soon added a carbide sizer but that was about 1972.
I have bought old die sets at gun shows to get extra seating dies I could leave adjusted for one bullet, but that is the only place I have seen a steel sizer in many years. My first pistol die set was steel, to which I soon added a carbide sizer but that was about 1972.
CQB45ACP
Member
I have & use both Lee & Redding dies for 45ACP. Two+ sets of each. Expensive but I don’t care.
Seating: For 230gr RN (or any RN) I use the Redding competition seater which has no crimp feature and uses a cool looking micrometer adjustment that has very fine threads so adjustments can be more precise than the Lee seater. Is it better? Who knows but I also use the Lee seater from time to time.
Seating: For 200gr SWC I use a Redding regular seating die with a stem I modified to only contact the bullet’s shoulder. I have it adjusted to NOT crimp while seating. I added the Redding micrometer adjuster to that die for a more precise adjustment and because it looks cool. I do not use the Lee seater for SWC ever.
Taper crimp: I have and use both the Lee FCD & Redding micrometer adjustable crimp die. The Redding looks much cooler but in my opinion the Lee FCD is a universe apart (better). I use the Redding only for the very lightest possible crimps.
Decap/size: Have both but use Redding nearly exclusively. No particular reason.
Expander: Have both but use Lee’s 99% of the time on a Lee single stage press w/Lees safety prime. Edit: I’m a dumba**, I use a Redding expander on a Lee single stage 99% of the time.
Bulge busting: Lee’s FCD with guts removed to correct range pick up cases as necessary.
Seating: For 230gr RN (or any RN) I use the Redding competition seater which has no crimp feature and uses a cool looking micrometer adjustment that has very fine threads so adjustments can be more precise than the Lee seater. Is it better? Who knows but I also use the Lee seater from time to time.
Seating: For 200gr SWC I use a Redding regular seating die with a stem I modified to only contact the bullet’s shoulder. I have it adjusted to NOT crimp while seating. I added the Redding micrometer adjuster to that die for a more precise adjustment and because it looks cool. I do not use the Lee seater for SWC ever.
Taper crimp: I have and use both the Lee FCD & Redding micrometer adjustable crimp die. The Redding looks much cooler but in my opinion the Lee FCD is a universe apart (better). I use the Redding only for the very lightest possible crimps.
Decap/size: Have both but use Redding nearly exclusively. No particular reason.
Expander: Have both but use Lee’s 99% of the time on a Lee single stage press w/Lees safety prime. Edit: I’m a dumba**, I use a Redding expander on a Lee single stage 99% of the time.
Bulge busting: Lee’s FCD with guts removed to correct range pick up cases as necessary.
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bltmonty
Member
I like the hornady dies for 45 acp and other handgun calibers. the TIN coating is easier to work with than carbide, but most importantly, I love their bullet seating dies--they extend downward to align the bullet more easily and accurately before you begin to seat it.
entropy
Member
I have RCBS Carbide .45 dies. They all work, just pick the features you want, and there's no law against mix & match either. (like using RCBS dies and Redding competition seater like Laphroaig does.)
I was given a set of RCBS .45ACP dies because the Seating die was frozen and the decapping pin was bent. He wasn't very mechanically inclined and went with a Dillon 650 complete with a set of Dillon dies...I had to go over to help him set it up. I used it to load, on my Hornady LNL AP, for my S&W 625, where COL isn't that important...using a Lee universal decapping die.
When I decided to jump on the Lee Six Pack Pro bandwagon, I got it set up for .45ACP. To the Sizing, Powder through Expander, and Seating/Crimp die that came with the press, I added a Lyman M-die (I like the different profile of coated bullets), a Hornady Powder Cop (because I can't see into the case before I have to place the bullet), and the RCBS Crimp die (I like to seat and expand in separate steps and don't like how the Lee FCD treats lead bullets).
Because I plan to use different bullets, RN and SWC, I have a Redding Competition Seating die on the way. I looked for a Redding Dual Ring Carbide Sizing die, but it looks like Redding has replaced them in their offerings
When I decided to jump on the Lee Six Pack Pro bandwagon, I got it set up for .45ACP. To the Sizing, Powder through Expander, and Seating/Crimp die that came with the press, I added a Lyman M-die (I like the different profile of coated bullets), a Hornady Powder Cop (because I can't see into the case before I have to place the bullet), and the RCBS Crimp die (I like to seat and expand in separate steps and don't like how the Lee FCD treats lead bullets).
Because I plan to use different bullets, RN and SWC, I have a Redding Competition Seating die on the way. I looked for a Redding Dual Ring Carbide Sizing die, but it looks like Redding has replaced them in their offerings
King Medallion
Member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2021
- Messages
- 347
Been using the same Lyman die set since 1978, add a Lee FCD sometime along the way.
