need your advice

pzkw108

pzkw108

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I've been reloading rifle cartrige for now 5years but I wanna start loading .45acp for my Norc 1911.

I would like to know what the good component to start with.I already got a pound of Blue dot, I was about to order the Lee set of dies ( but should I choose 3 or 4 dies......) and a few hundred cases, is Federal any good?( I don't like em for rifle...) as well as 1000 Berry 200g RN bullets. I was thinking to get my order from Budget supply....

tell me if I'm on the good path or not!

thanks for your comments

Seb
 
I would buy the Lee 3 die set, then add a .45 ACP Taper crimp die as a seperate 4th die. The seating die taper crimps as well, but many like to crimp in a seperate step.

The four die set includes a Factory Crimp Die (pistol type) that taper crimps and also sizes the whole case with a carbide ring. This is not needed most of the time and can be a problem with oversized lead bullets (when you want them to stay oversized)

People have different preferences with cases, but I have found all the American brands including Federal to be good. Some brands can sometimes have certain shortcomings, but they all will work.
 
I don't think there is a difference between the 4th die in the set and the taper crimp die you would buy seperately.

Regardless, for the sake of shipping, or time, I'd just order the 4 die set.

And Budget Shooter Supply is a great outfit! Henry is awesome to deal with. Buy with confidence!
 
so I would not need a 4 dies set if I don't use lead bullets??

I've seen that wholesale has the Rcbs 3 set dies today I might go for that!

thanks for your answers!

Seb
 
In Edmonton you have Phoenix, P&D, Milarm to name a few. Mail order you can WC Ammo sales.

You are going to want to crimp your 45 whither you are shooting lead or FMJ. i would go the 4 die route myself.
 
Lee factory crimp die also resizes, if you get a bulge in the case when seating the bullet, it might not chamber without running it through the factory crimp die. Wholesale sports stocks the 45.acp lee dies, or if not in stock you can order from higginsonpowders.
 
i agree with the lee 4 die set, i have 4 of there delux pistol die sets for different calibers and i've always gotten great results

i know federal for rifle isnt the best, but because pistol cases are strait wall you really dont have as many issues and they'll do just fine

i've never used berrys bullets for 45 acp, but i have used them for 9mm and 38 special and i really like them, they fly great and there weights are a lot closer in average then other brands

and finally, i've yet to hear one complaint about budget shooter supply
 
Walter Hornby said:
In Edmonton you have Phoenix, P&D, Milarm to name a few. Mail order you can WC Ammo sales.

You are going to want to crimp your 45 whither you are shooting lead or FMJ. i would go the 4 die route myself.
Click to expand...

good I didn't think about Phoenix cause they don't have much for rifle, I'll stop there tomorrow after work!

and is the Lee die any good or I should pay a little more for Rcbs?
 
45 ACP is a low pressure, reloader friendly, round to work with. Any brass is good brass, just be aware that some brass takes LP primers and some takes SP primers so you don't want to mix these up. Any 3 die (carbide) set plus the Lee FC die is a good way to go.
 
If you can get carbide dies I would suggest that you do. It's nice not needing to lube the cases.
 
A Lee 4 die sets 4th die is a Factory Crimp die. This is not needed for most peoples ammo and can be a problem for some using oversized cast bullets.

The Lee Taper crimp die as a seperate die applies the same taper crimp as a seating die or Factory crimp die in a seperate step, but does NOT post size the case (squeeze top 80% of case) with a carbide sizing ring like the factory crimp die does.
 
hk33ka1 said:
A Lee 4 die sets 4th die is a Factory Crimp die. This is not needed for most peoples ammo and can be a problem for some using oversized cast bullets.

The Lee Taper crimp die as a seperate die applies the same taper crimp as a seating die or Factory crimp die in a seperate step, but does NOT post size the case (squeeze top 80% of case) with a carbide sizing ring like the factory crimp die does.
Click to expand...

This is true. If the OP uses proper sized bullets no bigger than .452 inch, there really is no need for the Factory Crimp Die.

Look at Dillon .45acp dies for example. All they have is a separate taper crimp die (does not post-size) and I never had a problem with oversized or bulged cases.

I would never used un-sized bullets in my .45 1911, or in any gun for that matter.

Lee Precision advertises their Tumble Lube molds as producing bullets that do not need re-sizing, but experience has proven this wrong. Some bullets come out oversized because of operator error, something that Lee did not consider when they claimed their TL bullets can be used as-cast without re-sizing.

Using a FCD to post-size cartridges loaded with oversize bullets will result in reduced case-neck tension and possible problems.
 
thanks for your answers, I will start with the 3 die set for now and if I ever need the factory crimp die, I can always get that one alone.

thanks

Seb
 
Carbide sizer is a must.

Blue Dot makes terrific max velocity ammo.

Each of my 45's has its own accuracy load. All but one of them gets best results with a mild load. Blue Dot is not very good at mild pressures.


A very flexible medium speed powder is IMR7625. It meters like a ball powder and loads in the 5 to 6 grain range tend to be very accurate. Unique is also very good, but does not meter well in some throwers.
 
I used Blue Dot in my 9mm (only powder I had at the time) and it is really filthy. I bought some TiteGroup and reloaded some but haven't shot them yet.
 
finaly I bought the Lyman 3 dies set, they look pretty good.

as soon as I get my bullets from Budget, I'm ready to go....

so what are your favorite powder for .45 auto?

thanks

Seb
 
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