Originally posted by R-Tex:
Originally posted by BillD:
I reload .45ACP on a Dillon 650, cranking out gun game reloads.
I should be able to reload the 45 AR on this press with just a new shell plate, correct?
Thanks again.
Hey, BillD -
Yes, you need only the shell plate - you shouldn't even have to adjust your .45 ACP dies.
Do you happen to have the shell plate for .44 Spcl/Mag?
I reload on a Dillon 550. I found that the shell plate for .44 Spcl/Mag was ALMOST the right size for .45 AR cases. Since I'm incredibly <STRIKE>cheap</STRIKE> frugal, what I did was to VERY CAREFULLY and very slightly open up the case slots in the shell plate with a Dremel fine grinding attachment until a .45 AR case would fit. (The shell plate is still just fine for use with .44s.) Not much metal at all needs to be removed. If you don't have a Dremel, the judicious use of a rat-tailed file followed by some 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper wrapped around a dowel would do the trick.
Since the rim on the .45AR is thicker than the .44, it's necessary to back out the shellplate bolt a bit. Also, I have to loosen or remove the cartridge retaining spring/paper-clip thingy because the end of it tends to bind between the case head and the shell plate platform when I advance the shell plate. Guess I could fabricate another one without the little 90 degree bend at the end, but I don't load .45 AR all that often & when I do, I load several hundred rounds per session. I don't know if the 650 has this same set up or not.
IIRC, the locating pins for the .44 work with the .45 AR. If not, just go to the next smaller size pin.
Hope this helps some. If you do decide to try it, please let me know how it works out for you. I'd be curious to know how it works on the 650 with its auto-indexing feature.
Happy loading!