Reloading for .45 Colt & .45 S&W

[Buckspen]

I intend to start loading .45 S&W (Schofield) brass for shooting in my .45 Colt Single Action Army revolvers. I have been using a Dillon 650 press for about 15 years so I have a lot of experience with it.
My question is this: If you use a 650, do you use the standard caliber conversion kit that is made for the .45 Colt (Dillon part #21118)? If not, what substitutions have you made to enhance your reloader's function?

A little background: When I first started using my Dillon 650, I got several different types of malfuctions that I thought should not be happening. I started doing some measurements and found that I could increase the reliability of my machine by substituting some parts of the conversion kit.

For instance, the station 1 locators that came with a couple of my conversion kits allowed the cases to tip over during the transfer from the case feed tube to the shell plate. I measured some cartridge cases and found that if I used a station 1 locator for a case with a smaller head diameter, these problems were eliminated.

For the .45 Colt conversion kit, Dillon lists the following parts:
shell plate = C (12986)
locator pins = #4 (14047)
station 1 locator = C (12817)
powder funnel = E (13782)
case feed arm bushing = yellow (13619)
case feed body bushing = large (13639)
case feed adapter = yellow (13442)
If you have made substitutions for increased reliability, what parts have you replaced and what did you replace them with?

Thanks,
Buckspen

[smkummer]

I just pick up 17 range fired 45 S&W empties. I tried using my RCBS 45 Colt shellholder and it was way to tight of fit. Then I measured the rim and found out it was slightly wider, although they still fit side by side in a Colt SAA cylinder. I have to use a shellholder for the 38-40/44-40 case to fit the 45 S&W case.

If your problems go away when used 45 Colt cases, this may be the cause.

I too thought about using 45 S&W and even 45 cowboy cases but 700X and Red Dot give me acceptable velocity variations with light charges out of Long Colt cases.

[Buckspen]

Thanks for the reply. According to some information I found on-line the post-war .45 Colt case should have a rim diameter of 0.512 and the .45 S&W (or Schofield) is 0.522. This would indeed make the .45 S&W a tight fit in the .45 Colt shell holder.
However, Dillon specifies the same shell holder plate for both cartridges.
Anyone else have some experience here?

- - Buckspen

[Ken S]

I can't answer all of your tech questions, but..I've been reloading Colt .45 Schofield cases for my SAA 3rd 7 1/2 " for a long time. Very easy and accurate.

I use 45 Colt Dies. the seating die I just grind off about 1/4 inch. I can now use all three dies for both 45 Colt and 45 Schofield. (truth is, I bought a second set for the 45 Colt anyway.

I've tried 200, 230 and 250 grain RNFP all .454, and the 250 is by far the more accurate. under 2 inches at 25 yards, and at 50 feet offhand, they all go in a 3 inch circle or less, if I do my part. Dead center I might add.

The 45 Schofield case is easier to size than the longer 45 Colt, and burns the powder more consistantly. Falls out of the cylinder after firing too.

My favorite load is 6.4 Unique, .454/250 in the Schofield Case.
Some loading sites say 6.5 Unique is Max. but I find the 6.4 the most accurate. 6.3 is good too, but the 5.7 to 6.0 range which is on the lower end of recommendation is not accurate at all.
Let me know how you make out. Ken

[Buckspen]

Ken - Thanks for the info. I like Unique powder and use it in several calibers.
Do you cast your own lead bullets? If not, what brand do you use? I used to like Bull-X quite a lot, but they are no longer in business.

- - Buckspen

[Ken S]

http://www.tennesseevalleybullets.co...s/bullets.html

Hi Buck...I have used Chey cast and they are good. Don't cast my own if I can help it, just too much work, and it's really cheaper to buy them.
The last 500 I ordered, I got from Tenn. Valley Bullets. They are the least expensive. $47 plus shipping for 500 . .454/250 grain RNFP, and they are accurate. Came in about two weeks. I recommend them.
I'm about to order another 500 on Monday, may just go for the 1000.

I was using the .45 ACP seating die as the last die. This seated the bullet without crimping, just a nice tight fit. Like the .45 ACP round.
The .45 ACP headspaces on the case and this is the reason it doesn't crimp. and..the Schofield is the father of the .45 ACP anyway. originally used the same 230 grain bullet. (Which by the way, you can use in the Schofield for a lighter recoil.)
But, I had more success using a slight crimp in the crimping grove, with the regular 45 Colt die, and the larger 250 grain bullet. Tightgroup was accurate, but I found Unique the best. Try 6.0 to 6.4 Unique. I went to 6.5 and it was very accurate but decided to lower charge a little. I'm now using 6.3 to 6.4 with a lot of success. That will be my Cowboy load.
Boys and their toys.

[PonyLover]

Call Dillion. It's toll free and they give the best info on the market.

[Buckspen]

Actually, the customer service guys at Dillon have given me bum information in the past. Don't get me wrong, I like Dillon machines. I have a 650 that I have been using for many years and I had a Square Deal before that. I currently load .45 ACP, .44 Magnum, .44 Special, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .38 Super, 9mm and .40 S&W on it.
However, as I related in my original post, I had some problems initially. When I called Dillon about my experiences, they just told me to use the parts specified in their manual. I eventually worked out the solutions to the problems myself.
In fact, I posed this same question (original post) on the S&W Forum about the same time. Apparently, a representative of Dillon is a member there and he responded with the same old advice - "use the parts prescribed in the manual".
I'm all for following the directions on a machine, but if the directions don't address the problem, I don't hesitate to try to work it out myself.

- - Buckspen

[bushrod]

I use the Hornady LNL press with RCBS 45 dies,with no problems. I love Unique powder. I load 45 Colt with 7.2 grains of Unique with great accuracy.I cast the Lee 255 gr. RNFP.
For 44 mag. I load to 44 special levels with Unique , also 7.2 gr and the Lee 200 gr. RNFP. Casting my own is enjoyable and FREE basically. Lubeing can either be done by Pan-Lubing and shoot as cast or in a lubesizer.
RCBS makes a set of Cowboy Action dies in 45 colt but I really don't know what the difference is . Just my 2 cents.