Question about little brother .45 ACP?

[Smithjdsr]

Not about 450B (at the moment my reloading room is a guest room, so I’m in a ‘holding pattern’ until after New Year’s).

My son is in the process of acquiring a .45 ACP. With one more in the family, that makes the most sense to begin reloading next. Simple question is, “what dies”? I have an RCBS Jr3 press. Is one manufacturer or type of die better?

(Soon I’ll want 9mm and .223, but .45 for now.)

[Al in Mi]

RCBS or Hornady usually my picks

[Rivercityjeff]

Al is correct. It's hard to beat RCBS or Hornady carbide .45 ACP dies.

If you see a future where you need a progressive press for pistol, the Dillon Square Deal B or the 550 are options that have a lifetime warranty. Some folks are happy with the Lee progressives at a lower price point too.

[Thom28]

I use RCBS carbide pistol dies in Hornady Lock N Load progressive press. Never had a problem with them and RCBS's customer service is the best.

[Smithjdsr]

(I thought I posted this before? Sorry if it shows up again...)

I think I’ll get the Hornady Custom three die set. $30 worth of bullets “free” with $50 worth of dies seems like a good deal.

So, what ARE carbide dies? Hornady Custom don’t say ‘carbide’ they say ‘titanium nitride’ but they also say no lube needed. That, however, is not true for 450B? Bushy needs lube but .45 ACP does not?

What about crimp? Those dies say ‘taper crimp’, I think, but what about roll crimp?

[Al in Mi]

You want taper crimp as it headspaces off the case mouth.

Your good to go with Hornady, no lube needed, and good deal with bullet rebate!!

[Smithjdsr]

Well, it’s the last day of our impromptu Winter Break. 20 degrees tomorrow and hopefully we can actually have school! I’ve been tumbling brass like it’s my day job (which for the last two weeks it has been). I’m ready to start loading .45 ACP I think I want Hornady Custom dies, and I don’t think I want the American series (besides, I like the ‘free’ bullets). Tactical Wholesalers had a great price on 450B dies when I got them, but they don’t seem to have the Custom series in 45 Auto. Brownells calls it a special order and I don’t want to wait 2 months. Any idea whose price is best?

[Thom28]

This might help. Being in Iowa, you should have them in a day as fast as Midway ships.

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?userSearchQ ... PerPage=48

[Smithjdsr]

This might help. Being in Iowa, you should have them in a day as fast as Midway ships.

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?userSearchQ ... PerPage=48

They’re on the way

[Hoot]

I followed the link out of curiosity and saw their Taper Crimp Seater Die. I'd never heard of such a thing. In my mind's eye, I can't see how they pull that one off. Pushing the bullet in while the taper crimp is being initiated would seem counter productive in terms of neck tension. Guess you never really get done learning. If it somehow increases the neck tension, would it help the 450b???

Hoot