45acp 3 or 4 die set?

bro2 · April 30, 2009, 06:03 AM

Hi, My first time reloading 45acp do i need the 3 die sets or do I get a 4 die set with the crimp die?

Sevens · April 30, 2009, 07:24 AM

What kind of bullets do you hope to load? It's been my experience that when loading cast lead bullets, it gives better results to seat and crimp in two different steps. I don't use a Lee FCD to crimp, I simply use a separate taper crimp die. You can also split the steps by adjusting your seat/crimp die from the 3-die set to seat the bullet ONLY, then re-adjust to crimp ONLY.

You might find with jacketed bullets that you don't need to split the seat/crimp step.

I have never used a Lee carbide factory crimp die, so I've never felt the need for one. Others have good luck with them.

howlnmad · April 30, 2009, 07:45 AM

I too crimp in a seperate step but I do use a Lee FCD, you can't over crimp or buckle the case. Just my preference.

win308 · April 30, 2009, 08:44 AM

Seperate crimp die is necessary for 45 auto...especially if using mixed brass which has slightly different thickness of case walls for each piece.

Alleykat · April 30, 2009, 08:48 AM

I DO use the Lee FCD, so I feel qualified to offer my recommendation that the OP use one. I load on a Dillon 650, and I use Lee dies and a Lee FCD for every straightwall handgun round that I load.

I rarely feel the sizing ring in the FCD doing any sizing, but I do prefer the method of adjusting the crimp on the FCD.

tiberius10721 · April 30, 2009, 12:15 PM

heres my story about lee fcd.I had been reloading 38 special for a few years and Im the type of reloader that just picks up brass at the indoor range and reloads it especially 38 brass.One day Im reloading 38 special and notice my reloads dont fit properly in my revolvers cylinder.I noticed it was only the cbc 38 special brass that was buckling so bad it wouldnt fit in my guns cylinder without me forcing it in.the the lee factory crimp die totally took care of this problem.Now for pistol ammunition I order the four set dies with the lee fcd instead of the three die sets.i started loading 45 acp a few months ago with the lee four die set and havent had a single problem!

howlnmad · April 30, 2009, 12:26 PM

I use mostly rcbs dies but pick-up the lee fcd seperately. I like the heavier construction on the rcbs and don't like the lock rings with the o-ring. Just my opinion.

rjrivero · April 30, 2009, 12:34 PM

I'm using a Dillon Progressive and the Dillon Carbide 3 die set. I load 9mm, 45ACP and 38 Special for my pistol needs and have never had any issues with the taper crimp die from Dillon. That includes wad cutters, semi-wad cutters, and ball ammo. I load cast bullets for summer outdoor shooting, and Rainier Leadsafe for indoor shooting.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · April 30, 2009, 12:44 PM

I agree with sevens. For jacketed bullets a 3 die set is fine. Cast lead bullets tend to swage or even shave when seating and crimping in one stage. I have found my 3 die set to sometimes shave the bullet a little...and sometimes it just shaves off the lube at the end of the ram stroke.

benzuncle · April 30, 2009, 01:08 PM

Bro, if you purchase the FCD you will always have it should you desire to use it. The one-time cost will not break your bank. Right now, things are kind of crazy; people are having trouble finding the items they need for loading. If you have a line on a FCD, consider purchasing it while it's available. It won't get stale or mouldy from not being used.

lee n. field · April 30, 2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Hi, My first time reloading 45acp do i need the 3 die sets or do I get a 4 die set with the crimp die?
bro2 is offline Report Post

The seating die has crimping built in. Adjusted per the manufacturer's directions, it will crimp just fine.

If you've got a progressive, I'd think about getting a separate crimp die.

DesperadoRod · April 30, 2009, 02:35 PM

In all auto pistol cases and 30 Carbine I use 4 die set.

Doodlebugger45 · April 30, 2009, 02:42 PM

I just started reloading a few months ago. I wish I could find 4-die sets. As it was, I had to look around a good bit to find a 3-die set for my 45 Colt. The 357 was easier to find the 3 die set. And I can't find a separate crimp die anywhere for either. But I sure wish I had them. I'm trying to do roll crimps on both revolver rounds and am having trouble doing it consistently with the combo seating/crimping die.

Russ5924 · April 30, 2009, 02:50 PM

I have never used any but the Lee four die set. Us them in my Dillon 550 and and Lee Turret press. I load .45acp, .45 Colt, 9MM. .38/357 and just started loading .44mag

April 30, 2009, 06:03 AM	#1
bro2 Member Join Date: October 11, 2008 Posts: 22	45acp 3 or 4 die set? Hi, My first time reloading 45acp do i need the 3 die sets or do I get a 4 die set with the crimp die?

April 30, 2009, 07:24 AM	#2
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	What kind of bullets do you hope to load? It's been my experience that when loading cast lead bullets, it gives better results to seat and crimp in two different steps. I don't use a Lee FCD to crimp, I simply use a separate taper crimp die. You can also split the steps by adjusting your seat/crimp die from the 3-die set to seat the bullet ONLY, then re-adjust to crimp ONLY. You might find with jacketed bullets that you don't need to split the seat/crimp step. I have never used a Lee carbide factory crimp die, so I've never felt the need for one. Others have good luck with them. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

April 30, 2009, 12:44 PM	#9
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	I agree with sevens. For jacketed bullets a 3 die set is fine. Cast lead bullets tend to swage or even shave when seating and crimping in one stage. I have found my 3 die set to sometimes shave the bullet a little...and sometimes it just shaves off the lube at the end of the ram stroke. __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

April 30, 2009, 02:35 PM	#12
DesperadoRod Junior Member Join Date: April 30, 2009 Location: Fraziers Bottom, WV Posts: 6	In all auto pistol cases and 30 Carbine I use 4 die set. __________________ Of all the things I have lost, I think I shall miss my mind the most!

April 30, 2009, 02:50 PM	#14
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	I have never used any but the Lee four die set. Us them in my Dillon 550 and and Lee Turret press. I load .45acp, .45 Colt, 9MM. .38/357 and just started loading .44mag __________________ Russ5924

April 30, 2009, 07:45 AM	#3
howlnmad Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2009 Location: Harriman Tn Posts: 424	I too crimp in a seperate step but I do use a Lee FCD, you can't over crimp or buckle the case. Just my preference.

April 30, 2009, 08:44 AM	#4
win308 Member Join Date: December 13, 2004 Posts: 41	Seperate crimp die is necessary for 45 auto...especially if using mixed brass which has slightly different thickness of case walls for each piece.

April 30, 2009, 08:48 AM	#5
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	I DO use the Lee FCD, so I feel qualified to offer my recommendation that the OP use one. I load on a Dillon 650, and I use Lee dies and a Lee FCD for every straightwall handgun round that I load. I rarely feel the sizing ring in the FCD doing any sizing, but I do prefer the method of adjusting the crimp on the FCD.

April 30, 2009, 12:15 PM	#6
tiberius10721 Junior member Join Date: December 22, 2008 Posts: 228	heres my story about lee fcd.I had been reloading 38 special for a few years and Im the type of reloader that just picks up brass at the indoor range and reloads it especially 38 brass.One day Im reloading 38 special and notice my reloads dont fit properly in my revolvers cylinder.I noticed it was only the cbc 38 special brass that was buckling so bad it wouldnt fit in my guns cylinder without me forcing it in.the the lee factory crimp die totally took care of this problem.Now for pistol ammunition I order the four set dies with the lee fcd instead of the three die sets.i started loading 45 acp a few months ago with the lee four die set and havent had a single problem!

April 30, 2009, 12:26 PM	#7
howlnmad Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2009 Location: Harriman Tn Posts: 424	I use mostly rcbs dies but pick-up the lee fcd seperately. I like the heavier construction on the rcbs and don't like the lock rings with the o-ring. Just my opinion.

April 30, 2009, 12:34 PM	#8
rjrivero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,399	I'm using a Dillon Progressive and the Dillon Carbide 3 die set. I load 9mm, 45ACP and 38 Special for my pistol needs and have never had any issues with the taper crimp die from Dillon. That includes wad cutters, semi-wad cutters, and ball ammo. I load cast bullets for summer outdoor shooting, and Rainier Leadsafe for indoor shooting.

April 30, 2009, 01:08 PM	#10
benzuncle Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 357	Bro, if you purchase the FCD you will always have it should you desire to use it. The one-time cost will not break your bank. Right now, things are kind of crazy; people are having trouble finding the items they need for loading. If you have a line on a FCD, consider purchasing it while it's available. It won't get stale or mouldy from not being used.

April 30, 2009, 02:42 PM	#13
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	I just started reloading a few months ago. I wish I could find 4-die sets. As it was, I had to look around a good bit to find a 3-die set for my 45 Colt. The 357 was easier to find the 3 die set. And I can't find a separate crimp die anywhere for either. But I sure wish I had them. I'm trying to do roll crimps on both revolver rounds and am having trouble doing it consistently with the combo seating/crimping die.