Never loaded .45 Schofield. Have a few hundred 1x brass from Black Hills Ammo. Anyone sized with 45 Colt and used 45acp to crimp? Thought might as well load up with cast for plinker stock for SAA.
.45 Schofield?
- Thread starter Drm50
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Monticello Marshal
Member
Yep! 45 Colt sizer works. I have used 45 Colt roll crimp and 45 ACP taper. Lyman 50th edition now has a 45 Schofield section. I loaded for S&W 45 Schofield and 45 Colt revolvers shot in both.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I bought a retired SASS shooters 45 Schofield, about 700 at 12 cents each! They work fine in non recessed chambered 45 Colts. They also feed and fire fine in Marlin 1894 and M-92 Rossi rifles.
I loaded on my progressive press with normal 45 Colt sizing die and 45ACP powder, seat and crimp dies! I liked the 200 grain RNFP cast bullet! 5.5 gr WW231 (45ACP powder charge) Seat as long as possible to help in rifles.
Ivan
I loaded on my progressive press with normal 45 Colt sizing die and 45ACP powder, seat and crimp dies! I liked the 200 grain RNFP cast bullet! 5.5 gr WW231 (45ACP powder charge) Seat as long as possible to help in rifles.
Ivan
DWalt
Member
I once loaded both .45 Schofield and .45 Colt using .45 ACP dies, did not size full length. I later bought a used set of .45 Colt dies. The .45 ACP dies will work OK if necessary.
Model19man
Member
I would use 45 Colt dies and a 45 Lee FCD to crimp.
45 Colt dies do work and you can do everything except crimp. For me, the crimp die will not adjust low enough to catch the Schofield brass. The potential issue with 45ACP crimp tool is that there is a .002" difference between the 45 Colt bullet and the 45ACP bullet, .454" vs .452". I ended up finding a 45 Schofield die set on ebay for $25 and it was worth the money. Easy set-up and perfect reloads.
If you are loading for an original Schofield, plinking loads are best, but make sure you pick a high bulk powder like Trail Boss. I reload for this caliber, but having tested some early loads, I do not like a little bit of powder in such a large case. SD is all over the board with some light loads sending real puffers. The last thing you want to do is stick a bullet in that long barrel.
If you are loading for an original Schofield, plinking loads are best, but make sure you pick a high bulk powder like Trail Boss. I reload for this caliber, but having tested some early loads, I do not like a little bit of powder in such a large case. SD is all over the board with some light loads sending real puffers. The last thing you want to do is stick a bullet in that long barrel.
Model19man
Member
The Lee FCD will adjust low enough.
I wouldn't use 45ACP dies unless you're using 45ACP .451" bullets & your chambers & throats are tight.
My Lee 45ACP sizer has a .465" ID while my Lee 45 Colt sizer has a .467" ID.
45 Colt chambers are generously cut (larger dia.) compared to 45ACP. I assume 45 Schofields are the same. Throats are usually more generous as well.
Why size the brass down with a 45ACP die just to have to expand it up if you're using .452" or larger lead bullets, which are typical.
Use a 45 Colt die set.
.
My Lee 45ACP sizer has a .465" ID while my Lee 45 Colt sizer has a .467" ID.
45 Colt chambers are generously cut (larger dia.) compared to 45ACP. I assume 45 Schofields are the same. Throats are usually more generous as well.
Why size the brass down with a 45ACP die just to have to expand it up if you're using .452" or larger lead bullets, which are typical.
Use a 45 Colt die set.
.
gwpercle
Member
Yes ... it works , but depending on the bullet diameter you use you may need to "neck size " the top of the 45 Schofield case ...
I loaded some 200 gr. cast 45 acp cast wadcutters (Lyman #452460) sized .452 and used the 45 acp dies to seat and taper crimp ... like a long rimmed 45 acp round . Sizing the area where the bullet reached on the case with 45 acp die made sure of good neck tension , the loads were light - midrange , and the taper crimp held fine for 11 shots in a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible .
Go for it !
Gary
