Opening up a Lee seat/crimp die

[Doc O]

I have found my Lee seat/crimp dies for 45 colt and 45 schofield will load .452 but not .454 bullets.
After seating and crimping the die will hold on to the .454 bullet.
Is there a way to open them up a to except the .454 bullets?
Or will I have the go to a factory crimp die?
The reason for this is I have found that my revolvers prefer the larger bullet.

Thanks Doc

[Frenchie]

Of course there's a way to get them to accept a .454 bullet, you just need access to a machine shop, a lathe or milling machine and someone who knows what to do with them. And $$$, of course. 

The best way to do this is to contact Lee Precision, tell them what you need and see what they recommend.

[Doc O]

Got a hold of Lee service dept. and they said to send them in and they would take care of it.
No charge.

Thanks Doc

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[will52100]

Glad to hear it, I've never had to deal with Lee on any warrenty issues, but then I've never sent anything back to them before.

I don't know if I've got the same die as you or not, but mine takes .454 with no problem?  I haven't checked, but the seater for my 45acp is probably only for .452.  In any even I love the lee dies, let us know how Lee takes care of it.

[Montana Slim]

Good going!
I've sent items back to Lee including my 44-40 dies to have the resize die shortened a bit. No cost to me other than my shipping to them.

Regards,
Slim

[Doc O]

Interesting. I checked my ACP die and it is .454.
Don't understand way they would make the colt and schofield .452.
If need be I can still load with the ACP die in the mean time.
Anyway off they go.

Doc

[Adirondack Jack]

That is wierd.  Ya sure it's squeaky clean?  The carbide ring in there is a very precise piece, and is the smallest bit in the die.....

[sundance44`s]

Doc do you get any leading problems from useing the .454 bullets  ?
I have been tempted to use them in my Remington conversions but never have .

[Dick Dastardly]

Howdy Sundance,

Silas McFee has published an article in the CC about shooting Big Lube® bullets with his 58s.  I think it's still available over on Open Range.  Anyway, I loaded that ammo.  It was all lube/sized .454" in a Star lube sizer.  He had very good results.

We did find that the original C&B cylinder chambers were .447" and the bore was .454".  So, Walt Kirst reamed out the C&B chambers to match the bore.  With that the gun was a lot more accurate.

If your conversion cylinder will chamber .454 bullets and they aren't hard cast they should fly fine.

DD-DLoS

http://www.theopenrange.net/forum/index.php?topic=5982.0

[Doc O]

Sundance44's.
Like DD said.
My 58's work just fine with the .454, haven't seen any leading.
You might give them try.
Doc

[sundance44`s]

Thanks for the info Doc and DD .........I might give them a try .

[Doc O]

Recieved my dies back from Lee today.
They work like charm.
This was the first time I ever delt with Lee service dept. and they were top notch.


Doc