Loading 454 Casull with Dillon

[diddle]

Some background -- I have my first 454 on order from FA and have started assembling reloading gear for this caliber. My loading bench is set up with two Dillon 550B's and, while I have a nice single stage press, I do all of my loading on the Dillon presses with Dillon dies. I only load handgun calibers -- but most of the common ones (including 45 Colt). I understand that the 454 requires more neck tension on the bullet and a different roll crimp -- as such, 45 Colt dies should not be used.

My request for help -- Dillon does not sell 454 dies but I am OK with using a different brand. But, to use the Dillon, I will have to use their powder measure. The Dillon thru-powder funnel that bells the case mouth also acts to size the ID of the case using standard 45 handgun geometry. Is this OK? Should I order a second powder funnel and turn it down to allow more neck tension -- if so, to what diameter.

i would appreciate some feedback from those among us that load 454's with Dillon's. Thanks in advance for your hep.

[Encore64]

I simply ordered a Hornady 454 Casull sized die and adjusted the
45 Colt dies accordingly. Haven't experienced any problems yet.

Maybe some others have seen something different.

In fact, I now use the 454 Casull die to size my 45 Colt brass as well.

[paul105]

I use the .44 expander/powder drop when loading .45 colt and .454C on my Dillon 550 B. I did this initially because new Starline cases tend to stick when using the Dillon the standard size expander/powder drop tube. Never bothered to switch back.

Never used Dillon .45 Colt dies with the .454, but have used several other makers' .45 Colt successfully.

You might want to try the Dillon dies before buying a new set. Also, might be worth a call to Dillon to see what they have to say.

FWIW,

Paul

[wdr2]

My Dillon 550B is a fine machine but I wish I had more control over the expander dimensions when loading revolver ammo. There has been discussion that NOE might make custom Dillon expanders in the future. When I load 45 Colt, I run my brass thru the Dillon 550B 2x. The first head has a Redding sizing die and a Redding expander die with a diameter adjusted to 0.004in less than my sized lead bullets. The second head has the Dillon powder measure with a 44 expander/powder drop installed (does not expand the 45 Colt brass, just operates the powder measure), then a seater die, followed by a crimp die. This way, I have more control over the case expansion. I don't need thousands of 45 Colt ammo per year so I am OK with 2 passes thru the Dillon. By the way, I have always been impressed with the consitancy of the Dillon powder measure using the Uniquetech Micrometer Powder Bar.

[joej]

I use Redding dies - I polish the expander plug down so nothing touches the case except the bell portion of the plug/stem. I do this for all handgun cartridges, as I feel I get max case tension for whatever that is worth.

[benny123]

I did not think the ID of 45LC and the Casull was different, apart from some varying manufacture tolerances. Anyway, I press primarily on a 650. Though I have Dillon 45LC dies, I use the Hornady Casull set, along with a crimp die in the last station for the 454. I bell minimally, and never had a problem with the Dillon setup, to increase tension, and retain some brass longevity. I've only experienced erratic dispensing with the extruded stuff so I stay with ball. Years back my wife bought me that micrometer (Unique Tek) that another member referenced. It is well manufactured...though I never ended up installing it

[diddle]

From the OP ...

Thanks to all for the information. Based on it, I think a good approach would be to add a 454 sizing die and use my 44 caliber powder funnel with the powder measure so that the case can be flaired without any further sizing to the ID. Of the case. The 45 Colt seating die should be fine. I have seen some folks mention that the 454 dies utilize a special roll crimp. So, one last question ... Is the Dillon crimp die acceptable for use with the 454 loads or is there really a difference?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[paul105]

Back in the late 80s when I got my FA83, I couldn't find .454 loading dies, so I used a .45ACP die set. Pretty sure I used the taper crimp die provided with the .45 ACP die set. Case neck tension (along with taper crimp) was adequate to hold bullets in place. Never used anything heavier than 300gr bullets in those early loads but they were over a max charge of H110.

Why don't you set up a dedicated Dillon tool head complete with a set of .454 dies. Would make caliber change real easy. FWIW, that's what I've done, and I'm glad I did it. Same for .38 spcl/.357 mag, .44spcl/mag, 480ruger/475 Linebaugh. This was done over about 30 years, not all at once, so I really never noticed the added expense.

Paul

[diddle]

Paul, Thanks for the feedback.

Based on the feedback, including yours, I do plan to add the whole die set with a separate tool head. I will likely use RCBS dies since that is what FA sells. Like you, I use separate tool heads for 38/357 and 44S/44M already.

Using the Dillon 550B, I am still left with the powder funnel question. It seems best to use the 44 funnel with the powder measure at staton #2. That would maximize neck tension and still allow the case to be flaired for bullet insertion.

Thanks again for the helpful commentary. I appreciate it.

[paul105]

As mentioned above, I use the Dillon .44 powder drop/expander in the .45 and .454. Also use a 10mm (I don't have a 41.) in the .44, .45 in the .475 and .475 in the .500 JRH. This is especially helpful when loading new Starline Brass which wants to stick on the expander.

Paul

[dale53]

I have had excellent results with new Starline cases by tumbling them BEFORE loading the new cases. It seems that Starline cleans their brass so well that it causes sticking. When you tumble, it leaves a bit of the polish on the case which pretty much solves that "problem" (and it CAN be a problem).

FWIW
Dale53

[ohnomrbillk]

I bought my Dillon 550 to load for my first 454 Casull

A Hornady 454 Die set and a Lee factory crimp die at station 4 with the Dillon 45 expander/powder funnel loaded a few thousand rounds without any drama.

The 454 is gone, but I have a 5 shot 45 colt coming. I was told to use a 454 sizer die, so I plan to do little to change my setup.