45ACP - three or four die set?

[mihasic]

I have some experience in 30-06 reloading, now I want to pass to 45ACP. Lee offers four die sets (but in steel) and three die sets (but in carbide). What is the practical difference? Which one to choose?
Thank you.

 

[Breaker61]

Get the Lee 4 die deluxe carbide pistol set.

 

[nognog]

Carbide dies-does not require brass lube
Steel dies - require brass lube - if you don't use lube, it will be very difficult to re-size the brass-It will be very shhhhticky and will likely get stuck inside the sizing die.

 

[David K]

.. And, you have to decide whether "Roll Crimp" or "Taper Crimp". .... Personally, if I were doing it over again, I think I'd go for the "Taper Crimp"...... Price really decides whether Carbide or Steel ( and Lube) ... David K

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Personally I use the 3 piece carbide set. I see not advantage for me in separating the bullet seating and crimping. Sounds like more work. Mine always fed properly in my 45 auto.

 

[(((Echo)))]

.. And, you have to decide whether "Roll Crimp" or "Taper Crimp". .... Personally, if I were doing it over again, I think I'd go for the "Taper Crimp"...... Price really decides whether Carbide or Steel ( and Lube) ... David K

I one's shooting 45 ACP, you need to taper crimp as the round headspaces on the case mouth. Roll crimp is for 45 Colt (or Long Colt).

Get the 4 die carbide set. Funny......as much as everyone slags Lee, they love the factory crimp die .

(E)

 

[tjhaile]

I prefer to have seating and crimping done separately, as it makes it easier to adjust the two functions and there is no extra work if you use a progressive press.

Lee only offers carbide dies in .45 ACP and I see no reason to use steel dies when carbide dies are available for pistol cases. The steel pistol dies are for bottleneck cases like .44-40, for which it would be very costly to make carbide dies. The few carbide dies for bottleneck cases on the market will often still require case lube, although they are less prone to sticking.

The Factory Crimp die provided in the four die set provides a taper crimp in auto pistol calibres and a roll crimp for revolver calibres.

 

[CeeZer]

Hmm, I've not even seen or heard of roll-crimping of 45acp.

Lee factory crimp die is almost a must-have for any serious reloader. I use Hornady and RCBS otherwise.

 

[mihasic]

Thank you, guys. I will choose a 4-die carbide set. And I can always put the crimp die aside if I don't like it.

 

[bigdaddyeo]

I'm using the 3 die carbide set from Lee and have had absolutely no problems at all in my Charles Daly 1911.

 

[chemo]

i got a lyman 3 die and it functions flawlessly, that is when using jacketed and plated bullets. As soon as I move onto cast, my 1911 will not chamber anythign that has not been risized after seating. So I bought the lee FCD but it is not screwed in completely so all it does is really just post-seat resize.

Better pay the extra $ now and save the die for later if you don't need it now. It the end it costs less to get it along with the set than buy it separately.

 

[Cerdan]

Hmm, I've not even seen or heard of roll-crimping of 45acp.

You don't apply as much of a roll crimp as you would revolver cases, but screwing your seating die in a quarter turn more will roll just enough to remove the bell.

FCDs are nice to have, but far from essential.

 

[frykasj]

Hmm, I've not even seen or heard of roll-crimping of 45acp.

This reloading kit works for the .45 Auto Rim cartridge as well (rimmed cartridge for revolvers), so I could see how roll-crimping would be used for this particular application.