Loading .45 Auto Rim on a Loadmaster

I am not committing to do anything yet, there is no date set, and I am not offering anything for sale yet.  I hope this is the right place to put this sort of inquiry.  

I have used Lee Loadmaster progressive presses for a long time, and I am happy with them.  I recently got a S&W Model 25-2, and I want to load .45 Auto Rim brass on it.  Lee does not make the necessary shell plate (13L) for the Loadmaster.  I can get Lee to make them on a custom basis, but it is $150 set-up and $30 per shell plate made.  I am willing to eat the $150 set-up.  Cost would likely be the $30 cost from Lee, plus another $15 for shipping.  Is anyone else interested?

For that kind of $$$$, I'd just get a single stage press that has the rim shell holder.  Then you can do so much else with it.

I also have a Lee Loadmaster and have loaded 45 Long Colt with it. Before spending the tool-up money, I'd try the #11L and #14L shell plates. The #11L is for 44 Mag & 45 Colt. The #14L is for the 44-40 & 45 Colt. The tolerances are somewhat loose to work with a variety of cartridges, which works to your advantage. It also gives the cartridge a bit of wiggle room to center up in the dies, and gives you a more concentric, therefore more accurate round. It doesn't have to be a perfect fit as long as it functions.

Since the rim diameter of the 45 Auto Rim is .515, the #14L might make more sense since the 44-40 has a .525 rim. Yet the 45 LC has a .512 rim and still works with the #14L.  I would try the #14L first. If that seems too loose for you, then try the #11L.

Rim thickness will be the problem. I load mine on a lee 4 hole progressive. I do wonder why you don't just stick with the acp and moon clips.

Len

Particularly when the world is knee deep in 45 ACP brass.

A good time for an upgrade to a Dillon BL550 or 550C?

Wobbley wrote:Particularly when the world is knee deep in 45 ACP brass.

Unfortunately, buried under all that 9mm...

LenV wrote:Rim thickness will be the problem. I load mine on a lee 4 hole progressive. I do wonder why you don't just stick with the acp and moon clips.

Len

Because that isn't what he is interested in doing? Is it possible that's the case? After all, we are just throwing money out of the end of a small diameter tube, and we need to have all sorts of other things to help is shovel that money down it, so who cares, really, if someone wants moon clips, AR or shooting the 32ACP (another fad). Let people have fun, you know? 

wared45 wrote:

LenV wrote:Rim thickness will be the problem. I load mine on a lee 4 hole progressive. I do wonder why you don't just stick with the acp and moon clips.

Len

Because that isn't what he is interested in doing? Is it possible that's the case? After all, we are just throwing money out of the end of a small diameter tube, and we need to have all sorts of other things to help is shovel that money down it, so who cares, really, if someone wants moon clips, AR or shooting the 32ACP (another fad). Let people have fun, you know? 

 yeah 32acp the fad since the 90s....

wared45 wrote:

LenV wrote:Rim thickness will be the problem. I load mine on a lee 4 hole progressive. I do wonder why you don't just stick with the acp and moon clips.

Len

Because that isn't what he is interested in doing? Is it possible that's the case? After all, we are just throwing money out of the end of a small diameter tube, and we need to have all sorts of other things to help is shovel that money down it, so who cares, really, if someone wants moon clips, AR or shooting the 32ACP (another fad). Let people have fun, you know? 

 yeah the bullseye fad since the 90s....

I

wared45 wrote:

Wobbley wrote:Particularly when the world is knee deep in 45 ACP brass.

You are my favorite ray of sunshine in this whole place- you must brighten up the world no matter where you go. 

I do...

oldsalt444 wrote:I also have a Lee Loadmaster and have loaded 45 Long Colt with it. Before spending the tool-up money, I'd try the #11L and #14L shell plates. The #11L is for 44 Mag & 45 Colt. The #14L is for the 44-40 & 45 Colt. The tolerances are somewhat loose to work with a variety of cartridges, which works to your advantage. It also gives the cartridge a bit of wiggle room to center up in the dies, and gives you a more concentric, therefore more accurate round. It doesn't have to be a perfect fit as long as it functions.

Since the rim diameter of the 45 Auto Rim is .515, the #14L might make more sense since the 44-40 has a .525 rim. Yet the 45 LC has a .512 rim and still works with the #14L.  I would try the #14L first. If that seems too loose for you, then try the #11L.

I put up a discussion thread on several forums where I thought .45 AR shooters would see it, and there was essentially no interest.  I tried the other shell plates, and Star Line .45 AR brass is too thick for all but the .45-70 plate, and the .45-70 plate does not capture the .45 AR brass.  

I've gone with a Single Stage and a Turret press for .45 AR.