45 ACP - what size of sizing die?

[kra176]

Hello,

New to bullet making and am wanting to get a sizing die. The only Lee dies I can find are .451 ... my store bought lead bullets are .452 should that not be the size I want?

 

[yomomma]

https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-90055-SIZING-452/dp/B00162RPV8

 

[kra176]

Thanks, that’s what I thought just needed someone to confirm

 

[Dave_K]

Cast and sized powder coated 45acp at .452 this weekend, been doing it forever.

 

[bibatoad]

I have been using the lee 200gr semi wad cutter TL mold and size them in a Lee .451 lube sizer kit with Lee liquid alox. They shoot better than any commercial bullets I've used in the past. Fortune cookie 45 Lc has some videos on these via you tube.

 

[just having some fun]

you can always lap out a small sizer

 

[aakoksal]

I like having options, so I would get both a .452 and a .451 sizer and try... If to choose between the two I would go with .452 based on my past experience...

 

[kra176]

My 1911 is happiest with 200 gr SWC which are .452 so going down that road first ... if i ever get to a range to try these. I made a handful, powder coated and sized them to .452

 

[hatman1793]

Yes to your question. .452 is good. LEE does make a .452 sizing die. Go to the Higginson Powders website, select catalogues, LEE, & go to sizing dies.

 

[Janeau]

.45 acp = .452
Thats what give the best accuracy in many many guns I had and I got.
.45 ACP is my favorite rounds..

 

[saskcop]

.451 with jacketed, .452 with lead.

 

[pilon]

I've used both .451 and .452 with cast bullets. It is generally accepted that .452 gives better accuracy but both my 45s (Para P14, and XDM) seem to like .451 better. Good idea to have both and experiment for yourself.

 

[easyrider604]

I have used 451 and 452. My shooting skills make any accuracy difference moot.

 

[slug]

My preference is to size as little as possible.
It distorts the bullet less and is easier on arthritic hands.
With my NOE sizer set up, it's not expensive to get dies in various diameters to see what works best.

As an aside, the NRA once published an original spec sheet and drawing which listed the .45 ACP as using a .450 bullet.

As ever, YMMV, but if the bullet casting art were easy, it wouldn't be any fun and it wouldn't be an art.

 

[pilon]

My preference is to size as little as possible.
It distorts the bullet less and is easier on arthritic hands.
With my NOE sizer set up, it's not expensive to get dies in various diameters to see what works best.

As an aside, the NRA once published an original spec sheet and drawing which listed the .45 ACP as using a .450 bullet.

As ever, YMMV, but if the bullet casting art were easy, it wouldn't be any fun and it wouldn't be an art.

Good info, thanks.
Absolutely an art to casting quality bullets. As a general observation my best casts are ones that frost over very quickly once poured in the mould. They seem easier to size as well.

 

[ramhunter]

all you need to to know is above.

 

[kra176]

Finally got to the range this week and I think I will be able to get these working, might need a bit of powder adjustment. The 200 gr lee swc dropped out of the mold at 209 grs so I backed off the powder charge ( a little too much), bullets sprayed a bit more than I thought but I think this was more operator error than the ammo (I broke my wrist this winter so this is the first time since feb that I fired a pistol). The 125 gr (dropped at about 129 out of the mold) I loaded for my .38 did a bit better and need to tighten up as well but did not shoot horribly. Good news is that the casting experiment went pretty good so I will cast some more and play with charges and bullet seating. I had to crunch the 45s right down to the last lube grove to get them to chamber properly