45 Winchester Magnum

renaissance7697 · April 12, 2007, 11:54 AM

Can we talk about .45 Winchester Magnum...........

Where I shoot, I am restricted to "Pistol Calibers"
I have a TC Contender in Carbine configuration and am constantly on the look for "Long" (16"+) barrels for it in "Pistol Calibers".

Had an opportunity to pick up one in ".45 Winchester Magnum".
Couldn't resist.

Intend to handload of course......

I understand IT is a "beefed up" .45 acp case, stretched about .3 inches.
I need suitable dies of course.
Can only find a listing in "Lee" - Not Carbide- with no appropriate FCD.

Will anything else do?

Because it is autorim and headspaces on the case mouth, I don't think anything except the intended ".45 Winchester Mag" will work.

45 acp will "fall in" - .45 Colt is rimmed - and .45Gap I don't think is an apropriate length either.
( My 357 Maximum being rimmed will take .357 Mag and .38 spl)

I know I can get the Brass from "STARLine"
Anybody make dies besides Lee?

Anybody have any experience with this cartridge?
Loads?
Bullet Weights?

Did I jump in too fast ? >> (Probably - but - how can I have fun with this)

Scorch · April 12, 2007, 01:42 PM

Let's see:
* Same head size as 45 ACP
* Same bullet diameter as 45 ACP
* Longer, straight-walled body just like 45 ACP
Sounds to me like 45 ACP dies will work!

Seriously, just back off the flaring die and the crimp die to the proper length and load away! The resizer will do a great job as is. I did this years ago, and it worked fine. Or you can go and buy a die set from RCBS.

Don't try shooting any other cartridge in the 45 WinMag chamber. Just laod 45 WinMag brass and fire away.

The 45 WinMag is a RIMLESS pistol cartridge and headpaces on the case mouth.

Tim R · April 12, 2007, 02:33 PM

If I remember correctly as it's been over 20 years ago, I used 45 ACP dies to load 45 Win Mag for a T/C pistol. I was using the 45 Win Mag for silhouette in a buddies T/C. If I ever come across a 45 WM barrel for a T/C pistol, it's mine even though I don't have a T/C frame. The 45 WM would take a ram down at 200 yards even when you hit it in the toe nails.

Ranger61 · April 14, 2007, 11:06 AM

As everybody else said just use 45 acp dies. 45acp shell holder will work for starline cases. Some of my original WW cases do not fit the acp holder because the extractor groove is smaller ( but you'll probably never see any of those). I really love my two contender barrels a 10" and 14" plus I have an AMT automag IV in 45 Win Mag.

RandyM · April 15, 2007, 07:35 AM

Lee shows this 3 die carbide set: 90810 3_DI_45_WI_MA_CARBIDE $35.98

I believe I have a RCBS set of dies, but I see they don't list them anymore.

I reload the 45 Win Mags for my Mark 1 LAR Grizzly.

brickeyee · April 16, 2007, 08:34 AM

.45 ACP will work fine.
Some are even tall enough to full length size.

I used them for a while till I got tired of adjusting between rounds and purchased Win Mag dies.
RCBS probably still has them in one of the pricier groups.

Mine is a 10 inch barreled Wildey.

leadbutt · April 17, 2007, 07:21 PM

I have the 14" version in the TC and bought a set of dies back a few years ago from either Pacific or RC BS,,not where I can check right now,,

Love the round its worked great for me on hogs and one black bear,,in mine crimp is a factor.

Step son friend used it and the Winchester factory load for deer last year , nice round,

Have thought of giving David White a call and see if he could do a rimmed version for ease of reloading and chambering.

rnovi · April 18, 2007, 12:07 AM

I have an LAR Grizzly in .45 winmag and yes, I use exactly the same dies as my .45acp.

My gun has shown a preference towards 2400 powder. Accuracy has been achieved with three bullets: 230 winchester fmj (1600fps), 250gr. Nosler HP (1500fps), and 300gr. Sierra JSP's (1300fps).

These loads are stout, but not as heavy as could be achieved. I'm personally of the mentality that pushing beyond those numbers would put too much pressure on a firearm where parts are not easy to come by...

The .45winmag is a great cartridge that just never really achieved any strong traction in the industry. It loads on par with the .44 magnum and is perfectly capable of hunting anything a .44mag can.

Fastguns · May 4, 2007, 04:31 PM

I have a Grizzly Mark 1.

I use:
Starline brass
Winchester wlp large pistol primers
Speer 230gr unicor jhp
27.5 grs of AA#9
Avg velocity (6 1/2 barrel) 1650-1680 FPS
Muzzle energy- 1375-1425 lbs.
Very accurate load

The 45 Win Mag is an amazing cartridge. It takes Deer, Elk, and Black Bear with ease. I saw a guy drop a Kodiak with one as well, but that's kind of playing a very foolish game. I would not advise it on Kodiaks myself.

April 12, 2007, 11:54 AM	#1
renaissance7697 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 203	45 Winchester Magnum Can we talk about .45 Winchester Magnum........... Where I shoot, I am restricted to "Pistol Calibers" I have a TC Contender in Carbine configuration and am constantly on the look for "Long" (16"+) barrels for it in "Pistol Calibers". Had an opportunity to pick up one in ".45 Winchester Magnum". Couldn't resist. Intend to handload of course...... I understand IT is a "beefed up" .45 acp case, stretched about .3 inches. I need suitable dies of course. Can only find a listing in "Lee" - Not Carbide- with no appropriate FCD. Will anything else do? Because it is autorim and headspaces on the case mouth, I don't think anything except the intended ".45 Winchester Mag" will work. 45 acp will "fall in" - .45 Colt is rimmed - and .45Gap I don't think is an apropriate length either. ( My 357 Maximum being rimmed will take .357 Mag and .38 spl) I know I can get the Brass from "STARLine" Anybody make dies besides Lee? Anybody have any experience with this cartridge? Loads? Bullet Weights? Did I jump in too fast ? >> (Probably - but - how can I have fun with this) __________________ An Armed Society, Is a Polite Society.

April 12, 2007, 01:42 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Let's see: * Same head size as 45 ACP * Same bullet diameter as 45 ACP * Longer, straight-walled body just like 45 ACP Sounds to me like 45 ACP dies will work! Seriously, just back off the flaring die and the crimp die to the proper length and load away! The resizer will do a great job as is. I did this years ago, and it worked fine. Or you can go and buy a die set from RCBS. Don't try shooting any other cartridge in the 45 WinMag chamber. Just laod 45 WinMag brass and fire away. The 45 WinMag is a RIMLESS pistol cartridge and headpaces on the case mouth. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 12, 2007, 02:33 PM	#3
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	If I remember correctly as it's been over 20 years ago, I used 45 ACP dies to load 45 Win Mag for a T/C pistol. I was using the 45 Win Mag for silhouette in a buddies T/C. If I ever come across a 45 WM barrel for a T/C pistol, it's mine even though I don't have a T/C frame. The 45 WM would take a ram down at 200 yards even when you hit it in the toe nails. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

April 15, 2007, 07:35 AM	#5
RandyM Junior Member Join Date: April 15, 2007 Location: Seabrook Texas Posts: 2	3 die carbide set Lee shows this 3 die carbide set: 90810 3_DI_45_WI_MA_CARBIDE $35.98 I believe I have a RCBS set of dies, but I see they don't list them anymore. I reload the 45 Win Mags for my Mark 1 LAR Grizzly.

April 17, 2007, 07:21 PM	#7
leadbutt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2002 Location: Tidewater,Virginia Posts: 289	I have the 14" version in the TC and bought a set of dies back a few years ago from either Pacific or RC BS,,not where I can check right now,, Love the round its worked great for me on hogs and one black bear,,in mine crimp is a factor. Step son friend used it and the Winchester factory load for deer last year , nice round, Have thought of giving David White a call and see if he could do a rimmed version for ease of reloading and chambering. __________________ "I am always willing to learn,but not always willing to be taught" Sir Winston Churchill

April 14, 2007, 11:06 AM	#4
Ranger61 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2004 Posts: 213	As everybody else said just use 45 acp dies. 45acp shell holder will work for starline cases. Some of my original WW cases do not fit the acp holder because the extractor groove is smaller ( but you'll probably never see any of those). I really love my two contender barrels a 10" and 14" plus I have an AMT automag IV in 45 Win Mag.

April 16, 2007, 08:34 AM	#6
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	.45 ACP will work fine. Some are even tall enough to full length size. I used them for a while till I got tired of adjusting between rounds and purchased Win Mag dies. RCBS probably still has them in one of the pricier groups. Mine is a 10 inch barreled Wildey.

April 18, 2007, 12:07 AM	#8
rnovi Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2005 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 401	I have an LAR Grizzly in .45 winmag and yes, I use exactly the same dies as my .45acp. My gun has shown a preference towards 2400 powder. Accuracy has been achieved with three bullets: 230 winchester fmj (1600fps), 250gr. Nosler HP (1500fps), and 300gr. Sierra JSP's (1300fps). These loads are stout, but not as heavy as could be achieved. I'm personally of the mentality that pushing beyond those numbers would put too much pressure on a firearm where parts are not easy to come by... The .45winmag is a great cartridge that just never really achieved any strong traction in the industry. It loads on par with the .44 magnum and is perfectly capable of hunting anything a .44mag can. __________________ Robert N. "Remember, Eagles may soar but Weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!"

May 4, 2007, 04:31 PM	#9
Fastguns Member Join Date: January 27, 2007 Posts: 27	I have a Grizzly Mark 1. I use: Starline brass Winchester wlp large pistol primers Speer 230gr unicor jhp 27.5 grs of AA#9 Avg velocity (6 1/2 barrel) 1650-1680 FPS Muzzle energy- 1375-1425 lbs. Very accurate load The 45 Win Mag is an amazing cartridge. It takes Deer, Elk, and Black Bear with ease. I saw a guy drop a Kodiak with one as well, but that's kind of playing a very foolish game. I would not advise it on Kodiaks myself.

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