45ACP question

mnhntr · June 12, 2009, 05:20 PM

I have been loading 38/357 and 44 but not any auto pistol yet. I am planning to start doing some 45acp and was wonder who roll crimps and who taper crimps and why?

steve4102 · June 12, 2009, 05:26 PM

Taper crimp, cuz the 45ACP headspaces on the case mouth. Rolling it will screw up the headspace.

CortJestir · June 12, 2009, 05:32 PM

I taper crimp just enough to remove the belling and that's about it. Have had no problems with bullet set-back or other issues. FYI, I mainly use plated bullets.

mnhntr · June 12, 2009, 05:35 PM

Thanks guys, I kinda figured that would be the case.

putteral · June 12, 2009, 05:43 PM

+1 for taper crimp!

mnhntr · June 12, 2009, 05:55 PM

I just ordered a die set from Midway and unfortunately they are out of the RCBS brand that I am using now on my other calibers but I ordered the LEE brand carbide set. I have always heard bad things about LEE so we will try and see how it is.

CortJestir · June 12, 2009, 06:07 PM

^^ I wouldn't worry about the Lee dies. Mine (and plenty other's, I'm sure) have worked great. I think they'll last longer than me!

Plus, Lee offers a factory crimp die if you want to separate the bullet-seating and taper crimp operations.

Sport45 · June 12, 2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

I just ordered a die set from Midway and unfortunately they are out of the RCBS brand that I am using now on my other calibers but I ordered the LEE brand carbide set. I have always heard bad things about LEE so we will try and see how it is.

My Lee dies work just fine for .45acp, .38spl, 9mm, .45Colt, 7.7Jap, .375Win, .30-'06, .44mag, .44spl, and .223Rem. A set of RCBS .357mag/.38spl works well too.

I wish you luck with yours.

**Mike Irwin** · June 12, 2009, 06:36 PM

I reload almost exclusively with Lee dies - .32 Long, .32-20, .38 Spl., .357 Mag., .41 Mag., and .44 Spl. All are carbide except the .32-20, which is a bottle necked case. My rifle dies (I rarely load rifle anymore) are generally RCBS. I used to have a set of Lyman dies for .38 S&W, and somewhere around here I have a set of Redding dies for .243 Winchester.

I've yet to notice a difference in the quality of the ammunition I've rolled using Lee, Lyman, RCBS, or Redding dies.

Were I shooting for highest match accuracy I'm sure that I'd really start noticing the difference, but in my opinion, for general shooting, paper punching, etc., Lee dies are more than good enough and generally a LOT less expensive.

mnhntr · June 12, 2009, 07:21 PM

Thanks again for the replies. I am loading for USPSA and accuracy is not a huge deal because of the short distances to the targets. These will be mostly paper and steel punchers. I load .357 magnum for accuracy CCW rounds but who knows someday I may decide to carry my 1911 on occasion.

M&P40 · June 13, 2009, 02:43 PM

Use Lee dies almost for everything and yes I taper crimp all semi-auto pistol ammo. Steve4102 said it best about headspace.

**Mike Irwin** · June 13, 2009, 02:55 PM

I'm not even sure that you can buy a .45 ACP roll crimp die...

That'll Do · June 13, 2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Irwin

I'm not even sure that you can buy a .45 ACP roll crimp die...

They're available-but they're intended for 45 Long Colt.

**Mike Irwin** · June 14, 2009, 09:35 AM

As I said, it's not a .45 ACP roll crimp die.

BillM · June 14, 2009, 09:40 AM

Taper crimp for about everything in 45 ACP. I do know shooters
that use a roll crimp on 45 for use in S&W 625 revolvers using
full moon clips. I've used a Lee "Factory Crimp" die for all my
45 ACP loads--both auto and revolver--for about 15 years with
no problems.

FM-793 · June 14, 2009, 10:22 AM

Surprised you've heard bad things about Lee dies - I can understand bad press on the controversial Turret Press (got one, love it), but Lee dies? This is the first I've heard anybody slam them.

I use Lee dies almost exclusively - the only exception is .45 ACP. I couldn't find any Lee dies in .45 ACP so I had to buy a Lyman carbide set and augment it with the Lee powder through expander and Lee Factory crimp. Love the lock ring and set screw of the Lyman dies and think all die makers could learn from that system.

Has anybody here had bad experiences with Lee dies?

SamStafford · June 14, 2009, 10:47 AM

In one of my books, it is stated to taper crimp the .45acp.

rn22723 · June 14, 2009, 12:25 PM

Actually all hornady die set scome with roll crimp dies and you end up getting a taper crimp die seperate so the seater just becomes a seperate seater.....sort of waste.

June 12, 2009, 05:20 PM	#1
mnhntr Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Posts: 972	45ACP question I have been loading 38/357 and 44 but not any auto pistol yet. I am planning to start doing some 45acp and was wonder who roll crimps and who taper crimps and why?

June 12, 2009, 05:32 PM	#3
CortJestir Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Southern CT Posts: 1,406	.45ACP Taper Crimp I taper crimp just enough to remove the belling and that's about it. Have had no problems with bullet set-back or other issues. FYI, I mainly use plated bullets. __________________ "They have men amongst them who know very well what they are about..." - Lord Hugh Percy, on the events of April 19, 1775 Do you know what you're about? Find out at an Appleseed near you.

June 12, 2009, 06:07 PM	#7
CortJestir Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Southern CT Posts: 1,406	^^ I wouldn't worry about the Lee dies. Mine (and plenty other's, I'm sure) have worked great. I think they'll last longer than me! Plus, Lee offers a factory crimp die if you want to separate the bullet-seating and taper crimp operations. __________________ "They have men amongst them who know very well what they are about..." - Lord Hugh Percy, on the events of April 19, 1775 Do you know what you're about? Find out at an Appleseed near you.

June 12, 2009, 06:36 PM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I reload almost exclusively with Lee dies - .32 Long, .32-20, .38 Spl., .357 Mag., .41 Mag., and .44 Spl. All are carbide except the .32-20, which is a bottle necked case. My rifle dies (I rarely load rifle anymore) are generally RCBS. I used to have a set of Lyman dies for .38 S&W, and somewhere around here I have a set of Redding dies for .243 Winchester. I've yet to notice a difference in the quality of the ammunition I've rolled using Lee, Lyman, RCBS, or Redding dies. Were I shooting for highest match accuracy I'm sure that I'd really start noticing the difference, but in my opinion, for general shooting, paper punching, etc., Lee dies are more than good enough and generally a LOT less expensive. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 13, 2009, 02:55 PM	#12
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I'm not even sure that you can buy a .45 ACP roll crimp die... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 12, 2009, 05:26 PM	#2
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	Taper crimp, cuz the 45ACP headspaces on the case mouth. Rolling it will screw up the headspace.

June 12, 2009, 05:35 PM	#4
mnhntr Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Posts: 972	Thanks guys, I kinda figured that would be the case.

June 12, 2009, 05:43 PM	#5
putteral Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2008 Location: Homosassa,Florida Posts: 206	+1 for taper crimp!

June 12, 2009, 05:55 PM	#6
mnhntr Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Posts: 972	I just ordered a die set from Midway and unfortunately they are out of the RCBS brand that I am using now on my other calibers but I ordered the LEE brand carbide set. I have always heard bad things about LEE so we will try and see how it is.

June 12, 2009, 07:21 PM	#10
mnhntr Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Posts: 972	Thanks again for the replies. I am loading for USPSA and accuracy is not a huge deal because of the short distances to the targets. These will be mostly paper and steel punchers. I load .357 magnum for accuracy CCW rounds but who knows someday I may decide to carry my 1911 on occasion.

June 13, 2009, 02:43 PM	#11
M&P40 Member Join Date: May 25, 2009 Location: New Castle, PA Posts: 95	Use Lee dies almost for everything and yes I taper crimp all semi-auto pistol ammo. Steve4102 said it best about headspace.

June 14, 2009, 09:35 AM	#14
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	As I said, it's not a .45 ACP roll crimp die. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 14, 2009, 09:40 AM	#15
BillM Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Amity Oregon Posts: 791	Taper crimp for about everything in 45 ACP. I do know shooters that use a roll crimp on 45 for use in S&W 625 revolvers using full moon clips. I've used a Lee "Factory Crimp" die for all my 45 ACP loads--both auto and revolver--for about 15 years with no problems.

June 14, 2009, 10:22 AM	#16
FM-793 Junior Member Join Date: May 9, 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11	Surprised you've heard bad things about Lee dies - I can understand bad press on the controversial Turret Press (got one, love it), but Lee dies? This is the first I've heard anybody slam them. I use Lee dies almost exclusively - the only exception is .45 ACP. I couldn't find any Lee dies in .45 ACP so I had to buy a Lyman carbide set and augment it with the Lee powder through expander and Lee Factory crimp. Love the lock ring and set screw of the Lyman dies and think all die makers could learn from that system. Has anybody here had bad experiences with Lee dies?

June 14, 2009, 10:47 AM	#17
SamStafford Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Portageville, MO. 63873 Posts: 162	In one of my books, it is stated to taper crimp the .45acp.

June 14, 2009, 12:25 PM	#18
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	Actually all hornady die set scome with roll crimp dies and you end up getting a taper crimp die seperate so the seater just becomes a seperate seater.....sort of waste.