Q: 460 S&W Magnum dies

[The Heretic]

Q1: Does anybody besides Hornady sell dies for this chambering? If so - who?

Q2: I assume that said dies would work, with some adjustment, for .454 and .45 LC. Is that a correct assumption?

TIA

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[filsonhand]

I have a set of rcbs 460 dies.

I must say this caliber is hard on brass, I've had case head separation after 2 firings

 

[The Heretic]

I have a set of rcbs 460 dies.

I must say this caliber is hard on brass, I've had case head separation after 2 firings

Heavy loads?

I generally load for those type of loads I can't buy off the shelf - it isn't about cost for me. So that usually means light loads. In this chambering that would mean mostly light .45 Colt loads and not .454 or .460, but I want a set of dies that can reload all three of the cartridges I would normally shoot in the gun. I don't have any .454 brass/ammo - I figure I would either shoot moderate to heavy .460 for hunting or .45 Colt for target practice and small game when hunting.

 

[etrain16]

Looks like Lee makes a 3-die set for .460 S&W Magnum - currently $29.69 on sale at Midway:

Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 460 S&W Mag - MPN: 90344

 

[The Heretic]

But the question is, can these be used to load .45 Colt?

Pretty sure they can, but just want verification as that would be what I primarily use them for.

 

[etrain16]

But the question is, can these be used to load .45 Colt?

Pretty sure they can, but just want verification as that would be what I primarily use them for.

Can't say from experience, but you had me curious, so did a little searching - found this on the S&W forum I'm a member of - of course, it's just one person's opinion:

NO, The 460 is loaded with 460 Dies,

The 45 Colt Will load 45 Colt and 454 Casull

So you need 2 sets of dies.

If you by chance want a Lee Factory crimp die, the one for the 45 Colt works on the 460 SW Magnum, (crazy, but that's the way it is)

 

[The Heretic]

I am betting the .460 can be used to load .45 colt, but either way, if I want to load both 460 and .45 colt, I have to get the 460 die set anyway. If it doesn't work for .45 colt then I can just get the .45 colt set and use it.

 

[filsonhand]

I think starline actually recommends 45 colt dies to prevent overworking brass. Which is probably why mine separates so soon. It just seems weird to not fully size the brass

If I get time later I'll try both as I have 45 colt and 460 dies