die question

[dragonlvg]

reloading on a budget!(as in I am usually broke) I have an RCBS press (RC IV) I am going to be reloading for a 454 casull rifle and want to put the factory crimp in the neck. RCBS (as far as I can tell) doesnt offer a factory crimp die, Lee does. will it thread into my RCBS press? any downsides that anyone can think of to using mixed equipment to get results I want?
also I am half-way thinking that I can adjust my 45 colt dies to do the sizing, expanding and seating for the 454 as the only variance is the case length by a 10th of an inch. anyone tried it? if so did it work.

thanks
Kevin

 

[our gang]

Re: die question

Lee equipment is excellent. There is no problem using mixed manufacturers. You can buy a 3 die Lee carbide set for the 454 for 40 bucks. see:

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1236357903.687=/html/catalog/dies-pistol.html

I would hope if you can afford to shoot a 454 you could afford these dies!

You can also cut your reloading costs a lot by using hard cast lead bullets that can be pushed as fast, are just as accurate and kill just as well as expensive (bore wearing) jacketed bullets.

Check out:
http://www.lasc.us/AfricanHunt-CastBullets.htm
and:
http://www.laser-cast.com/45Cal.html
their 300 gr bullet is very accurate and kills like the hammer of Thor!

 

[dragonlvg]

Re: die question

Ive got a local manufacturer for the Bullets will probably be running gas checked 300 gr flat noses most of the time, this wont be a High volume gun mostly hunting season when I am busting brush with my father in law looking for whitetail.(its a lever action rifle) I may got to an XTP mag for that one but not decided yet. may have to wait for a bit before I start loading for it but am building up supplies as I get the cash.
I may have misread but I think that the Lee 3 die set does the same as the RCBS and crimps during seating. for this one I want the seperate crimp die, it might be more work but with the bulletts sitting nose to tail in the tube the extra little bit of security fromm teh seperate crimp sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[former naval person]

Re: die question

Get the Lee "factory crimp die" set. Works great...better than a roll crimp from the usual 3 die set. You can secure that bullet VERY tight.

 

[dragonlvg]

Re: die question

I want to, however the one for the 454 doesnt seem to exist on the website anymore. I have written to Lee asking for assitance and will see what develops from that.

 

[dragonlvg]

Re: die question

well I guess I will NOT be purchasing the factory crimp die from Lee after all. here is the response they sent me

"The 454 Casull is our product number is 90865 and the cost is 422.98 plus $4.00 for shipping"

with a cost like that they can keep that dang thing, I will figure something else out

 

[BillCominos]

Re: die question

I'd ask them to confirm that price.... seems way out of norm to me????

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: die question

Here is the Lee FCD for the 454 Cassul (same as 45 Colt): http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/cart.cgi?1240177874.97=90865 .

$22.98 directly from Lee.