Loading .45 LC and .45 ACP

[winchester1]

Help! I'm going to be loading a lot of .45 Colt and .45 ACP and would like to know if anyone out there uses the same die set to load both cartridges. I imagine the caratridge holder would be specific but can't think of anything else. Anyone out there try this?

[Dynamic]

Have you measured the dimensions from your Lyman or equal ref guide to see if it will work ?

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[jericho89]

two separate die sets. The LC case is a true straight wall and the neck and base diameter are smaller than the 45acp. The 45acp has a slight taper and the base is slightly thicker than the neck. The rim of the acp is the same size as the case walls of the lc, and the acp neck is about 0.025 smaller.

You also need to remember that the acp chambers off of the neck and the lc off of the rim.

[pacrat]

Different dies needed.

http://www.saami.org/pubresources/cc_drawings/Pistol/45%20Colt.pdf

The 45 Colt is a "straight cylindrical" case. Measuring .480" diameter.

http://www.saami.org/pubresources/cc_drawings/Pistol/45%20Automatic.pdf

The 45 ACP is a "straight tapered" case. That is .476" at base tapering to .473" at mouth.

There are revolvers made that can shoot both. But the differences though slight, preclude using the same dies.

[winchester1]

Thank you all for such great input! My dream is dashed but I can proceed with professional knowledge into the dark night of the large pistol primer. BTW: Had no intent to use the same ammo interchangeably. It's the angel of cheap that starts me down these murky paths.

[John Joseph]

Additionally, the Colt is roll crimped while the ACP is taper crimped---again two different dies will be required.
On the positive side selected bullets may likely be interchangeable. You can also standardize your set up by using LPP .45ACP brass.

[Capt.Dunsel]

Help! I'm going to be loading a lot of .45 Colt and .45 ACP and would like to know if anyone out there uses the same die set to load both cartridges. I imagine the caratridge holder would be specific but can't think of anything else. Anyone out there try this?

You didn't mention what generation of 45 colt you were loading for . Some older ones use .454 where newer ones use .452 .

But 45 colt takes different dies than 45 acp .

[JagerDog]

Depends on the dies. My Hornady New Dimension set loads both.

[Whiterabbit]

if you get LPP 45 auto, you can share primers. If you shoot bluedot you can share powder. (there are probably more). If you shoot 250 grain and up bullets you can share bullets (with bluedot).

just need two toolheads for your progressive press and crank them out...

45 colt for me is pretty quick.