I have a Hornady lock and load, I am looking for a die for my 45 auto, I use Hornady dies for my 223, 9mm and 270 win. What are the best dies for 45 ACP and is the taper crimp the way to go or will the roll crimp die work?
45 ACP Dies
- Thread starter wjohnson101a
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Cdog
Member
45 ACP headspaces on the case mouth. Taper is your only choice.
The Lee dies work great.
The Lee dies work great.
Aticus
Member
You don't want to get Hornady? IMHO the best are Redding but not by much over Hornady, RCBS, Lyman, in no particular order.
Yes a taper crimp is needed. The 45 ACP head spaces on the case mouth so if you roll crimp the head space will be off.
Yes a taper crimp is needed. The 45 ACP head spaces on the case mouth so if you roll crimp the head space will be off.
I have used RCBS carbide and taper crimp for 40 years or so.
TSQUARED
Member
If you load lead bullets then te Dillon dies are a plus since you can remove the seating stem for cleaning without disturbing the die alignment.
TAROMAN
US Veteran
These days the "best" dies are ones that are actually available for purchase!
oberon
Member
Dies are dies are dies.
I get some stuff right out of the yard sale bin. Mix & match. Create a set for your specific purpose. Turn a $1 steel sizer down in the lathe so you have a dedicated .38 spec. die. Or a crimper setup just right. Add a resize, decap/ flare neck.
I pick 'em over whenever I have a specific operation that I don't necessarily want to use an already adjusted die for.
Dies are cheap & plentiful, and worth recycling. New dies are spendy.
Certain operation require a little attention to be sure the setup is precise, like being sure the expandeer button is centered, concentric, expands the case neck right. And being diligent with case neck concentricity. Those things can be set up with a runout guage, and if the die isn't what you expect, you can toss it and try again. More likely a variation in case neck wall thickness, though.
I have a lot of 'custom' dies'. (read: recycled junk modified to specific function)
All true... I do prefer older carbide sizing dies from RCBS because they don't have such a pronounced bevel at the entrance. While this bevel is a big help with a progressive press at high speed, it can, and does contribute to leaving a small belt on the base of the case that really should be removed. That said, I also prefer Hornady seating dies because the actually do help seat the bullet straighter than plain seating dies.
And to repeat the above, you could be very disappointed with feeding if you don't use a taper crimp die, and crimp seperately from the seating stage.
Aticus
Member
I agree that Dillon dies are great for lead stuff BUT they only work on a Dillon press because there is no expander die and the OP is useing a Hornady.
scooter123
Member
Perhaps I've been drinking their Coolaid but I'm a fan of the Lee Deluxe 4 Die pistol die sets. What I like is they are Carbide where needed and the Factory Crimp Die which is supposed to duplicate the crimp used on commercial ammunition. While that is likely to be a bit of a stretch, by design they seem to be more goof proof than most other crimping dies. I also like the specifically sized powder dipper and sheet of load data provided with each of Lee's dies sets.
If you are constantly changing or trying different bullets, I would buy a Redding Competition seating die.....that way you can adjust seating depth with a micrometer reading and always produce cartridges with the same bullet seating depth (based on the reading for that bullet).... a big time saver. However, if you are shooting bullseye and always use the same bullet, a less expensive die is fine. I like the dies from Dillon (if you are using a Dillon Progressive press) since they feed more easily. However, I used RCBS Carbide dies for 40 years and they are fine (buy an extra seater-crimper so one die seats and the last one crimps - (if on a progressive press).
Terry
Terry
Maximumbob54
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If this is for a LNL AP then the Lee sizing die doesn't quite fit. The die body is just a little short for the lock ring when set flush with the shell plate. I replaced the Lee dies with a set of Hornady dies. I don't care for the titanium nitride sizing die though and will be replacing that set with a set from RCBS when the madness dies down. I like the Lee dies for my Classic Turret but my standing complaint of the "universal seating stem" in the bullet seating die remains as it round off a flat top bullet. So even that gets and RCBS bullet seating die (that comes with both a round nose and flat nose seating stem) for the loads that require them. Oh, and for anyone interested, Ranch Dog used to offer a rifle version of the LFCD but now that he's closed up shop Lee isn't cataloging them but offers them if you will call. The .357 die works great for .357 but sadly the .38 is too low for it to work with it. I love it for my .44 and .45 loads. They are much better than the carbide sizing ring in the Lee pistol version.
OP
Thanks for all the reply's, and I have had trouble finding any dies available but with all things this season we are in will change (One way or the other). I have access to RCBS dies from a friend that I will try.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I reload for a lot of handgun calibers so price is a consideration for me. With that said if the dies won't do what they were built to do it doesn't matter what the price is. Lucky for me Lee dies do what they should and do it well for a low price. I use mostly Lee dies for handgun reloading but I like RCBS dies best for reloading rifle ammo. I do have a set of used Hornady dies for my 45-70 loading and they would just fine too.
The first thought that came to mind when I read your response:
Rabbit Seasoning - Pronoun Problem - YouTube
I use the Lee 4 die set for .45ACP, in my Hornady LnL progressive machine, and get great results. I use Lee pistol dies for 9mm, .38, .357, .45ACP, .380, and recently for 10mm. I have been very pleased with all of these, they just plain work great.
I like the recapping pin design on the Lee sizing die, great design. Also, if you are using the Lee powder measures, their powder-through expander die is THE best set up (period). I still use the Lee powder measures over the (nicer) Hornady powder measure in some calibers, because the PTX works so well. The Factory Crimp die is also an excellent, fool proof design. Some people have problems with it resizing their oversized lead bullets, and getting some leading, but this has not been much of an issue for me, and does not matter with plated/jacketed bullets.
As for the Lee .45acp sizing die not working with the LnL, that's not so in my experience. It's close, but there's just enough length...
I do think that Redding are probably the overall nicest dies out there, but for most applications not really necessary. I load .44 mag with Redding Pro carbide dies. They are really nice, but the ammo produced does not shoot any better than the stuff made with my Lee dies. I believe that Redding makes the dies for Dillon (fact check, please, but I recall reading that...).
RCBS has always made nice dies, but I think the new ones are no longer made in the USA (fact check, please, but if so, I think this matters...). I don't have experience with Hornady dies, but I'm sure they are good, as Hornady puts out a good product.
Like someone else said, any quality die is going to make good ammo...
I like the recapping pin design on the Lee sizing die, great design. Also, if you are using the Lee powder measures, their powder-through expander die is THE best set up (period). I still use the Lee powder measures over the (nicer) Hornady powder measure in some calibers, because the PTX works so well. The Factory Crimp die is also an excellent, fool proof design. Some people have problems with it resizing their oversized lead bullets, and getting some leading, but this has not been much of an issue for me, and does not matter with plated/jacketed bullets.
As for the Lee .45acp sizing die not working with the LnL, that's not so in my experience. It's close, but there's just enough length...
I do think that Redding are probably the overall nicest dies out there, but for most applications not really necessary. I load .44 mag with Redding Pro carbide dies. They are really nice, but the ammo produced does not shoot any better than the stuff made with my Lee dies. I believe that Redding makes the dies for Dillon (fact check, please, but I recall reading that...).
RCBS has always made nice dies, but I think the new ones are no longer made in the USA (fact check, please, but if so, I think this matters...). I don't have experience with Hornady dies, but I'm sure they are good, as Hornady puts out a good product.
Like someone else said, any quality die is going to make good ammo...
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