Die recommendations 45

Time for another set of 45 acp dies.  I have a set of dillons now for my 650 but looking to set up another toolhead with another set of dies.  Can’t say I’m crazy of the dillons.  What are you all using and having good luck With?

The new toolhead will be used for plinking fun rounds for the wife as I don’t want to change my adjustments on my current set up.  Guess I could just get some lockmrings and change out the dies but I have a few extra toolheads that are getting no use

Reading competition seater set. Aligns bullet before seating. Made a difference in consistany for me.

Redding for me too.  Dual carbide sizing, micrometer seater and micrometer taper crimp.

However, I use the Lee universal die with Noe expanders instead of the .450 Redding expander (measured it this morning).  The Lee allows me to quickly convert from lead to jacketed diameters and keep neck tension roughly consistent.

Aprilian wrote:Redding for me too.  Dual carbide sizing, micrometer seater and micrometer taper crimp.

However, I use the Lee universal die with Noe expanders instead of the .450 Redding expander (measured it this morning).  The Lee allows me to quickly convert from lead to jacketed diameters and keep neck tension roughly consistent.

Good point.I forgot about neck tension and jacketed.

Redding all the way, read all the fine print and call them with your needs.

I have the double alpha powder expander in my Dillon powder measure.  Any reason it won’t work for both lead and jacketed?

Measure the OD of the two bullets and the OD of the expander.

+1 on Redding Competition for seating and crimping, Lee carbide sizing. My own expander in .454", - does both jacketed/plated & lead/coated. 
AP

lablover wrote:I have the double alpha powder expander in my Dillon powder measure.  Any reason it won’t work for both lead and jacketed?

Only way to know is to load dummy rounds for both, pull the bullets and measure for any loss in OD.  If you get any shaving on the lead while seating that would be another indicator of it not working for both bullet types.

PhotoEscape wrote:+1 on Redding Competition for seating and crimping, Lee carbide sizing. My own expander in .454", - does both jacketed/plated & lead/coated. 
AP

I played with a .454 expander and found that I could manually push both lead and jacketed bullets into the case after crimping.   You may be using a much tighter crimp than my .468-.469".

Aprilian wrote:

lablover wrote:I have the double alpha powder expander in my Dillon powder measure.  Any reason it won’t work for both lead and jacketed?

Only way to know is to load dummy rounds for both, pull the bullets and measure for any loss in OD.  If you get any shaving on the lead while seating that would be another indicator of it not working for both bullet types.

It’s been working great with my cast lead bullets.  I’ll have to test for jacketed.  Made a dummy and it’s holding fine but still need to pull it and see.

As well as I crimp pretty heavy with my cast.  .463.  I have not touched the crimp die for my jhp test.  I’m sure it’s gonna have a big nasty crimp ring on the jacket.

I use Lee dies for everything except the taper crimp die for the 45. The Lee die won't crimp down to the .463 that I like. The Lee are great for this. They are inexpensive enough that I just set up a whole different turret when using different machines. I do swap that Dillon crimp die around where needed.

Len

Yes, some of my crimps are on heavier side (especially for 10mm and defensive rounds).  My old BE loads have .468 crimp.  However I don't believe in "one crimp fits all" approach.  IMO, the only time one can use same crimp is if it was previously identified being best for particular set of variables, such as brass type, bullet profile, bullet OD, bullet material.  I see nothing wrong with .463 crimp if it works for particular load.  I do normally load few dummy rounds and pull bullets to identify amount of crimp.  My "measuring stick" is light but noticeable crimping ring imprint on projectile.  My loading protocol calls for sorting brass by head stamps, and using only same head stamp as brass varies by its thickness, which in turn dictates amount of crimp.  Push test alone with plank/barrel drop test (I use barrels from Springfield or CZ guns) of few rounds is a must while I QC and package loaded ammo.
AP

More of the same for me. I used alot of setups. I have settled on double alpha expander, Redding competition seater, dual ring sizing, and micrometer taper crimp die.

PhotoEscape: Does your expander work with as a powder through expander on the Hornady powder drop?

I have been using the Redding dual crimp sizing die, micrometer seating and micrometer taper crimp dies for several years now and would not think of going back to the dies I used before.

mspingeld; Yes, I manufactured PTUs specific to Hornady LNL AP in three major calibers, - 9/38, 10/40 and 45.
AP

If I could bring this back to life.  I’ve been looking to find a set that has both micrometer seater and micrometer crimp and can’t for the life of me find one.  I can buy them separately but was hoping a set would be a bit cheaper.  Any ideas on where to find a set?

That's why they don't come in a set, so they can rip you off even worse. This is not and will never be benchrest shooting.
Buy a 45lc sizer and .452 expander and be done. Put your money where there is actual return on investment.
Please realize there are no ransom rests on any bullseye pistol match firing line.

robert84010 wrote:That's why they don't come in a set, so they can rip you off even worse. This is not and will never be benchrest shooting.
Buy a 45lc sizer and .452 expander and be done. Put your money where there is actual return on investment.
Please realize there are no ransom rests on any bullseye pistol match firing line.

Yes I know it’s not benchrest. I’m not trying to load benchrest Ammo, the two are handy when you load different style bullets etc.

The micrometer seater is very nice for changing bullet depths. And the ransom rest proved that for me it makes a difference in accuracy as well. I don't adjust crimp dies much, but have used shim washers In the past on other finicky diesets.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#3088A125 

Is an example of such washers. They come in different thicknesses. As long as you get 7/8 id, they work well. You can probably find cheaper as well.