I bought a complete set of these dies at an auction. Included is one die box with an extended shell holder and a form/trim die, the other die box has what appears to be a full set of dies for sizing, shot seating, and crimping. I remember reading about these in the 1980's in Gun Digest or Hand Loading Digest but I have never used them. I seem to remember they were using .308 Winchester cases cut off and then formed and trimmed and loaded. There is no paperwork with dies. Anybody here have firsthand experience using this set-up to make shot shells for the 45 ACP? My understanding is that the cartridges would cycle the action on semi-autos. Any information appreciated.

Getting the headspace right is the critical thing!

Ivan

Hint: for a small quantity of shot to test things with, just cut open a few regular 12-gauge shells.

I only make revolver 45 Colt shotshells! But I like #7 1/2 bird shot the best. Still give a high pellet count, but pellets are big enough to each have good retained energy, along with a pretty good pattern for snakes!

I have a set of those dies also. Mine didn't come with any paperwork either but I found something on line. Let me look through my files to see if I can find the 1 page instructions I found. I have made and loaded some 45ACP shot shells using these dies but I found that if I trimmed the cases to the specified length, once fired, the cases were too long to clear the ejection port of my 1911's, a Taurus 24/7 and my Glock 21. I wound up trimming the cases a little shorter.

Found the instructions, sorry they are a bad photo of the instruction sheet but I don't have a scanner. I've also got a couple of older articles in my shotshell loadbook from "The American Rifleman", "Guns & Ammo" and "Combat Handguns" reference building shot shells for Handguns.
If interested, PM your info and & I'll get copies made and mail them to you.

Attached Images

RCBS 45 shot die instructions.jpg (60.8 KB, 28 views)

I loded with a et back years ago. Sold 'em and wished I hadn't. With the right loads they do cycle the action. Use the hardest shot you can get. Rem actually loaded those rounds. I don't remember the loading data. I recently used one on a very large woodpecker that would not leave my house alone. I will say it is a lot of work to make the few rounds you will actually shoot. I sold the dies etc to a friend and he may have data...but he sold the dies too I think. He is a tinkerer and is now loading 401 Win SLR out of 7.62 x 39...I sold him the rifle...I'm E ville

Ivan, I have bird shot of several sizes. 7 1/2 is what I used for revolver shot loads using the Speer capsules and I agree they are ideal for such use. Thanks.

mckenney99, I sent you a PM. Thank you for the offer.