45 ACP Dies

[Willyboy]

I may be buying a 3 die carbide set for 45ACP reloading, either RCBS or the new generation Hornady. Any preferences between the two? I currently have RCBS for 38/357 and they work fine for me. I am currently using a very old set of Lyman that a friend gave me but am having trouble with crimping/seating on some brands of brass that may have thicker walls (Federal). I would prefer to seat/crimp in one operation. Thanks, Willyboy.

 

[Delta-3]

RCBS, hands down.

 

[CantStopaGlock]

Agreed, RCBS no question.

 

[mkk41]

Well , IMHO , the absolute best dies are made by Redding. I give 'em a 10 , but RCBS are a 9.99!

 

[max]

RCBS are hard to beat in my opinion.

 

[BE Mike]

You would be well-advised to seat and crimp in a separate operation. Use a taper crimp die for your semi-auto loads and you will be a happy camper. To keep this on-topic; I have used RCBS, Lyman and Dillon dies and they all perform great loading pistol ammo.

 

[bpm32]

I tended to buy Hornady sets because of the free bullet offers. My Hornady 45ACP seating die failed to taper crimp, so I replaced it with Redding Competition seating and crimp dies. Otherwise, I've never had a problem with the five or six other Hornady die sets I've had. All other things being equal, I'd probably go with RCBS in the future.

 

[ImjinScout]

All my dies I use are Hornady's, and I like them very much and have had no issues a all, but like what was said you should taper crimp separate for much better results. I always but the taper crimp die with my die sets.

 

[Willyboy]

Thanks all for the input. Maybe I will buy just a taper crimp die and use it with the old Lyman set I have. I have used Redding for rifle, and they are really nice, but I was trying to get by with a less expensive set.

 

[358156hp]

Taper crimping must be done in a separate step. You can't effectively seat a smooth sided bullet, and taper crimp it at the same time.

 

[novalty]

I have been happy with my RCBS 45acp Carbide dies. Toss in a #3 shellholder and you can take advantage of the $10 rebate.

 

[310Pilot]

For your situation, I recommend picking up a Lee Factory Crimp die, using your Lyman dies through seating, then running the rounds through the FCD. It does a taper crimp on 45 ACP, with excellent results. Probably the most cost effective method, as well.

 

[Pocketfisherman]

Hornady has a much better seater die. It has a floating sleeve that aligns the bullet with the case mouth for straight in seating. It lets you get buy with less expansion of the case neck mouth which makes for longer case life. Add an optional micrometer seating stem for quick bullet changeover once you collect the data on mic settings for each different bullet you use. As stated above, the separate crimp die makes for perfect taper crimps in 45 ACP and the expander is powder through.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have a set of RCBS 30-06 dies and a set of Hornady 45-70 dies. Both do an excellent job so it's hard to tell you which to buy. I would say buy the one you like to looks of because both will do the same quality job IMO.

 

[jimkim]

My 45 acp seating die crimps. I just followed these directions. http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/manuals-current/metalic-reloading/new_dimension_custom_grade.pdf

I'd probably get the RCBS set if I had to choose between those two. If not, I'd get the Lee deluxe set. I use a Hordady/Lee Frankenstien set. I didn't like the Hornady expander, and I prefer to use the carbide crimping die to iron out the bulge from my grossly oversized(.454") cast bullets. Until my new Lyman .452"(my old .452" sizing die turned out to be .449") sizer comes in, this will have to do.

 

[mkk41]

Should have added that I am a 30yr tool & die maker myself , and while Redding are my favorite , I have probably 15 sets of RCBS dies, most bought used. Their customer service is outstanding , and they will fix or replace any product , no matter how old , or if it's second(or third or fourth) hand.

 

[BE Mike]

Thanks all for the input. Maybe I will buy just a taper crimp die and use it with the old Lyman set I have. I have used Redding for rifle, and they are really nice, but I was trying to get by with a less expensive set.

If you Lyman die set for .45 ACP has a carbide sizer, there is no reason to buy a new die set. You can pick up a taper crimp die from Lyman, RCBS, etc. for not much money. I personally have a few taper crimp dies of different manufacture. The Lee is not my favorite because I don't like the locking ring on the one I have.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I still get along just fine with my Lee dies.

 

[gwpercle]

You may not want to, but many years of experience have taught me to seat the bullet, then apply the crimp in a seperate operation. I've been using lyman dies since day one.

I did get a LEE TAPER CRIMP DIE for the few times the brass is thin and I want to make shure the crimp is tight, but thats it.

 

[Willyboy]

45 ACP dies

Well, all you folks and the folks on the 1911 forum talked me into going with a separate taper crimp die. I ordered the Redding taper crimp die and will use the old Lymans for the other steps. Thanks, Willyboy.