45 Colt Dies

[LAH]

Much has been said about the old Colt case being tapered. He back & forth on how sizing with a carbine die turns it into a straight case & it doesn't fit the chamber as it should. Since I was set up to load for the Colt I did the measurements for what they are worth.

 

[Rclark]

Not sure where you got your info. .45 Colt has always been a straight walled case...

 

[LAH]

Now I didn't say it was a tapered case just I've heard it debated back & forth. To that end I'm just home from Church & went to the shop quickly & measured some Remington factory loads I purchased in 1975. I didn't write the measurement but they are not .480" from end to end. I'll try & copy the dimensions tomorrow. Anyone have some they can measure?

 

[dougader]

I've seen this discussed a bit in Handloader magazine.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Most dies reduce the .45 case more than needed to properly fit the grossly over sized chambers in practically every factory gun in that chambering. I wish the chambers on my .45 Colt caliber leverguns were closer to spec. ,or at least as close as my Ruger revolvers are.
Any taper in a factory case will be removed by a Carbide full length sizer die.

 

[mrbumps]

Redding makes a Dual Ring Carbide Sizing Die to address this issue, but they are a bit pricey.

 

[LAH]

Thanks Bumps didn't know that.

 

[cadillo]

Redding makes a Dual Ring Carbide Sizing Die to address this issue, but they are a bit pricey.

I bought one when Midway had them on sale. It really makes sizing a lot easier!

 

[DeletedMember275]

Some of us only partially size .45 Colt brass, as long as it will be used in the same gun that it was originally fired in. I guess you'd call it the revolver cartridge version of neck sizing. That alleviates most of the slop that FL sizing with standard carbide sizing dies induces. Some folks say that their brass lasts longer that way; I haven't really decided yet.

 

[LAH]

Some of us only partially size .45 Colt brass, as long as it will be used in the same gun that it was originally fired in. I guess you'd call it the revolver cartridge version of neck sizing. That alleviates most of the slop that FL sizing with standard carbide sizing dies induces.

A fine way to handle the problem.

 

[5of7]

The .45 LC case is cylindrical. The chamber has a slight taper. http://www.saami.org/PubResources/CC_Drawings/Pistol/45%20Colt.pdf 8)

 

[Bucks Owin]

Most dies reduce the .45 case more than needed to properly fit the grossly over sized chambers in practically every factory gun in that chambering. I wish the chambers on my .45 Colt caliber leverguns were closer to spec. ,or at least as close as my Ruger revolvers are.
Any taper in a factory case will be removed by a Carbide full length sizer die.

I have two 45LC die sets, one an older Lee carbide that sizes for my fat throated 454" cast bullets, and a newer RCBS for 451-2" jacketed... :roll: (which I rarely load)

Both are used "neck sized" to address overly large charge holes...sigh