.454 casull lee loader?

[Freyr_255]

I was looking at getting a .454casull revolver however there is no ammunition available locally. I don't want to spend money on a full reloading set up at this time so I was wondering if there is something like the Lee Loaders that are just a small hand loading kit for a single caliber. I would just order some online but there is no shipping ammo to Whitehorse due to lack of ground courier.

Does anything like this exist or would I have to get a full size press and kit for reloading this caliber?

 

[hk33ka1]

Lee only makes the Loader in the current calibres listed on their site and no longer does custom ones.

Lyman/Ideal 310 tool may have dies in this calibre

The cheapest way would still be a press and conventional dies.

Lee 454 Dies $28 +

Lee 50th Kit $82 or
Lee Hand Press kit $38 (you will want to add a scale)

 

[Freyr_255]

Where are you finding the Lee 50th anniversary kit for $82?

 

[goggles_pizzano]

The Shooting Edge had a few boxes of 454 Casull mag on the shelf a couple of days ago.

 

[burnt_servo]

a lee loader in 45 colt will work just fine

 

[hk33ka1]

As burnt_servo says the Loader does come in .45LC it totally slipped my mind. They run about $22. I buy my Lee tools from Lee Factory Sales. They are a mail order business across the road from the actual Lee Factory in Hartford, WI USA.

Will the 454 work in the shorter 45 loader as it cannot be adjusted for depth like a FL die in a press?

 

[tjhaile]

Sizing a .454 Casull case would be exactly the same in terms of adjustment as for .45 Colt, as they are both straight wall cases that differ only in length.

That said, I suggest that you do yourself a favour and at least buy a proper press. The Lee Loader will be extremely time consuming to use.

 

[hk33ka1]

Since cases are hammered into the Lee Loader until flush & the .454 is .100" longer than the 45LC I don't know if it will fit into the Loader or not. Lee Precision should have the answer for this.

I also think a press would be better, but for low volume loading I have found the Lee Loaders work well.

 

[Freyr_255]

Ya I'm kind of leaning towards a press as well after doing a bit more research into them. Might as well bite the bullet and just start bloody re-loading properly(as I would need a case trimmer and mallet anyway...so add probably $30). The 50th anniversary kit is cheap its just the buying dies that gets expensive. But then again a box of rifle shells is about $30 now days so ya....makes it worth while.

Thanks for the advice guys and the info on Lee Factory Sales. Looks like I'm getting into reloading proper now.

 

[tjhaile]

The Lee Loader might work in a pinch as a partial resizer, depending on the gun's chamber, just like the old Lyman 310 tool.