Reloading .455 and .45 ACP - same die?

Dark Alley Dan

Dark Alley Dan

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Hiya folks:

The topic line pretty much sums it up - in another thread here (featuring a shmecky S&W Hand Ejector Mk 2) mention was made that one could load .455 brass using a .45 ACP die and the correct shell holder.

Is this accurate? Any trick to this? I know you can load .45 ACP and Auto Rim on the same die, but .455? If so, I assume a carbide die won't be an issue whatsoever, yes? Can this be done?

Yours hopefully,

Dan
 
I've used .45 colt dies when loading .455 ... 45acp dies would probably put a bit of a crimp but nothing too harmful.

I've loaded 45acp projectiles into .455 shells so you'd think using a .45acp die wouldnt be a a big deal - brass might suffer a bit?

As with anything, work up from light loads and your milage may vary.
 
.45ACP dies to reload .455 cases...

Dark Alley Dan said:
Hiya folks:

The topic line pretty much sums it up - in another thread here (featuring a shmecky S&W Hand Ejector Mk 2) mention was made that one could load .455 brass using a .45 ACP die and the correct shell holder.

Is this accurate? Any trick to this? I know you can load .45 ACP and Auto Rim on the same die, but .455? If so, I assume a carbide die won't be an issue whatsoever, yes? Can this be done?

Yours hopefully,

Dan
Click to expand...

Geez, don't get caught calling a S&W 'Second Model' Handejector a 'Mk-II 'or you risk running foul of the 'purists'...:eek: :redface:

Yes, you can use .45ACP dies to reload .455 cases. You will need a larger shell holder to accept the rimmed case. I believe it is the same shell holder that would fit a .303 British [Lee #5 shell holder works]. I've done it using .452 sized 230 gr round nose lead bullets [bullets for .45ACP]. The cases were used were marked "Dominion .455 Colt" on the headstamp. I used Lee carbide .45ACP pistol dies. The .452 bullets are a little underbore for the .454 - .455 barrels on the old Smiths but they work okay. You could always get yourself some .454 sized 250 gr lead projectiles that would probably be a little more accurate in the old Smith barrels. I believe the original Dominion .455 Colt round was loaded with a 265 grain hollowbase all lead round nose bullet that was .454 sized.

'Course, Lee also sells carbide die sets for .455 Webley...;)
 
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45 ACP is smaller in diameter than .455 and use of the 45 sizer will work the cases too much. Use a 45LC sizer. The Lee part # for 45LC and 455 sizer is the same.
 
green said:
45 ACP is smaller in diameter than .455 and use of the 45 sizer will work the cases too much. Use a 45LC sizer. The Lee part # for 45LC and 455 sizer is the same.
Click to expand...

Resizing pistol cases "works" the cases anyway... How much difference between a .45ACP sizer and a .45 LC sizer "working" .455 cases to be considered "too much" is debatable. Eventually, if you resize & use those cases enough with either sizing die they will become "unusable" eventually anyway. Just as with reloading any pistol cases.

The requested info in this thread was whether .45ACP dies could be used to reload .455 cases. The answer is "yes". Is it the optimum choice? No. Are .45LC dies a better choice given the info about the .45LC sizer die? Probably. But then as pointed out above, one can buy the designated .455 dies from Lee also & get the right sizing die & seating/crimping die as well. ;)
 
BigUglyMan said:
Is he referring to my Second Model Hand Ejector?

And WTF is "schmecky"? Should I be offended?:D
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Big Ugly:

I was indeed referring (erroneously) to your extremely fine S&W. Dad had one when I was a wee lad, and I've never quite gotten over it.

Schmecky is a Yiddish term. Your pistol is schmecky in the same way that Raquel Welch in her prime was schmecky, or an F86 Sabre is schmecky. If you're offended, you're a hard man to please...;)

Cheers, folks, and thanks for the tips - I have dies for .45LC, and plan on buying .45ACP dies this month, so I reckon I'm covered either way.

Dan
 
Dark Alley Dan said:
Schmecky is a Yiddish term. Your pistol is schmecky in the same way that Raquel Welch in her prime was schmecky, or an F86 Sabre is schmecky. If you're offended, you're a hard man to please...;)
Click to expand...

Aah... wasn't sure what exactly it meant. It wouldn't be the first time someone used a big word to confuse me:D
 
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