45 Colt Re-sizing dies

Bucksnort1 · January 29, 2021, 08:47 PM

I have two re-sizing dies for Colt 45.

One is a Lee, the other is RCBS.

Lee description is, Lee, 45 Colt J8

RCBS description is, RCBS 45 Colt FL....7

The bullet seater and belling dies are RCBS. I don't know why I have or how I obtained the Lee die.

By inspecting the inside the Lee die, I see a shoulder or rim about 3/4 up the die.

The RCBS die does not have this.

is the RCBS a "full length" die? Are both full length dies. I've never heard the term, "full length" used with straight wall handgun cases.

What is the purpose of the shoulder in the Lee die? Are both dies the same and it's just two ways to make the same die?

ammo.crafter · January 29, 2021, 08:50 PM

The "FL" on the RCBS die indicates full length.

Bucksnort1 · January 29, 2021, 10:59 PM

ammo.crafter,

Yes, I know the FL means full length.

mehavey · January 29, 2021, 11:22 PM

Any chance you're looking at where the carbide sizing ring used to be ?
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precisio...y-45-colt.html

Bucksnort1 · January 30, 2021, 11:32 AM

Mehavey,

In the link you sent, is a cutaway of the die. The shoulder I mentioned is about half-way up the die.

I've been loading various straight wall handgun calibers for many years. I have never heard the term, "full length" associated with these cases.

USSR · January 30, 2021, 12:40 PM

Bucksnort1,

I've got a RCBS .45 Colt die set, and the sizing die says "RCBS .45 Colt FL". That's just the way they stamp 'em.

Don

Kevin Rohrer · January 31, 2021, 10:01 AM

All straight-wall pistol case-sizing dies are by necessity full-length. What is the problem?

Perhaps it is time to read a reloading manual like an older The ABCs of Reloading.

mehavey · January 31, 2021, 12:07 PM

Quote:

By inspecting the inside the Lee die, I see a shoulder or rim about 3/4 up the die.

And . . . .,

1. You're sure this is a resizing -- not a seating -- die ?

. . . and if it is a a sizing die

2. You're sure that you're not looking at where the carbide ring was?

berettaprofessor · January 31, 2021, 06:27 PM

The J8 means it was made in October of a year ending in 8...could be 88, 98, 08, or 2018.

Bucksnort1 · February 1, 2021, 11:52 AM

Mehavey, I am positive I am not looking at where the carbide ring is. It's farther up the die.

Kevin Roher,

There is no problem. I was confused because I had never heard the term, "full length" with straight wall cases.

All is well.

rclark · February 1, 2021, 12:01 PM

FYI, my 310 tong dies only resize the neck of .45 Colt cases. So not full length.

**44 AMP** · February 1, 2021, 05:09 PM

Quote:

By inspecting the inside the Lee die, I see a shoulder or rim about 3/4 up the die.

3/4 of the way up in the die body...this is beyond where the .45 colt case reaches, yes??? (measure from the die body bottom to the shoulder to get an idea)

And is the upper portion of the die smaller than the sizing portion?? Larger??

That shoulder could simply be the point where the two different diameter holes meet. And is a result of how the die body is cut during manufacture.

call Lee and ask them, they made it...

January 29, 2021, 08:47 PM	#1
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,130	45 Colt Re-sizing dies I have two re-sizing dies for Colt 45. One is a Lee, the other is RCBS. Lee description is, Lee, 45 Colt J8 RCBS description is, RCBS 45 Colt FL....7 The bullet seater and belling dies are RCBS. I don't know why I have or how I obtained the Lee die. By inspecting the inside the Lee die, I see a shoulder or rim about 3/4 up the die. The RCBS die does not have this. is the RCBS a "full length" die? Are both full length dies. I've never heard the term, "full length" used with straight wall handgun cases. What is the purpose of the shoulder in the Lee die? Are both dies the same and it's just two ways to make the same die?

January 29, 2021, 08:50 PM	#2
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 2,032	45 Colt The "FL" on the RCBS die indicates full length. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

January 30, 2021, 11:32 AM	#5
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,130	Mehavey, In the link you sent, is a cutaway of the die. The shoulder I mentioned is about half-way up the die. I've been loading various straight wall handgun calibers for many years. I have never heard the term, "full length" associated with these cases. Last edited by Bucksnort1; January 30, 2021 at 11:33 AM. Reason: add information

January 30, 2021, 12:40 PM	#6
USSR Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2017 Location: Finger Lakes Region of NY Posts: 1,442	Bucksnort1, I've got a RCBS .45 Colt die set, and the sizing die says "RCBS .45 Colt FL". That's just the way they stamp 'em. Don __________________ NRA Life Member NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor

January 31, 2021, 10:01 AM	#7
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,050	All straight-wall pistol case-sizing dies are by necessity full-length. What is the problem? Perhaps it is time to read a reloading manual like an older The ABCs of Reloading. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

January 29, 2021, 10:59 PM	#3
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,130	ammo.crafter, Yes, I know the FL means full length.

January 29, 2021, 11:22 PM	#4
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,210	Any chance you're looking at where the carbide sizing ring used to be ? https://fsreloading.com/lee-precisio...y-45-colt.html

January 31, 2021, 06:27 PM	#9
berettaprofessor Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 1,103	The J8 means it was made in October of a year ending in 8...could be 88, 98, 08, or 2018. __________________ "What most people forget is that the first country the Nazi's conquered was their own." 44AMP on thefiringline.com

February 1, 2021, 11:52 AM	#10
Bucksnort1 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2013 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 1,130	Mehavey, I am positive I am not looking at where the carbide ring is. It's farther up the die. Kevin Roher, There is no problem. I was confused because I had never heard the term, "full length" with straight wall cases. All is well.

February 1, 2021, 12:01 PM	#11
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,650	FYI, my 310 tong dies only resize the neck of .45 Colt cases. So not full length. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.