Opening up a Lee seat/crimp die

Doc O · October 27, 2009, 08:53:32 PM

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 · October 28, 2009, 08:40:04 AM

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 · October 28, 2009, 12:41:33 PM

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

will52100 · October 28, 2009, 01:54:12 PM

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 · October 28, 2009, 07:02:09 PM

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 · October 28, 2009, 08:24:57 PM

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 · October 28, 2009, 10:34:49 PM

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 · October 29, 2009, 06:32:41 AM

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 · October 29, 2009, 08:29:11 AM

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 · October 29, 2009, 06:57:16 PM

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 · October 30, 2009, 01:26:46 AM

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

Doc O · November 07, 2009, 01:40:39 PM

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