question on 45-75 crimping

[pinto beans]

Greetings All,

Still holed up from the virus siege so decided to load a few of the new 45-75 cases.  In the process got to thinking about the Lee factory crimp die I have read about.  Now my dies are RCBS legacy die set and the seating die does a good job of a roll crimp on the bullet so no problems, but curiosity kills the cat.  Figured before seeing if a 45-75 factory crimp die can be built from lee I would see what you good folks use and what you think of the results.  I am guessing these factory crimp dies are cartridge specific so having one built up is the way to get one.  What say you folks, am I understanding this product and is the finished results worth investing in the die ?! Thanks!

[King Medallion]

The Lee Factory Crimp die is all I've ever used. Custom order, $25.

[pinto beans]

Thanks Mr. king Medallion!!  I am thinking of investing in one.  Cartridges I am loading now work good but am always looking at improving quality of the reloads.  Thanks again!!

[larryo1]

Pinto Beans
I have had a Lee Crimp for many years and it has always been a good one to use.  I, too, have RCBS dies but the Lee die is the one that I like to use.  Those folks have been good to deal with and when your order is placed, it is not much of a long time to wait.  Go for it and you wont regret it.

[pinto beans]

Thanks folks for the replies.  I sent an email over to Lee and got the response back.  Currently they are slammed with business and not taking orders for non-standard dies and accessories.  Will keep an eye on their notices posted to their site and when things hopefully returns to a more regular pace will be able to get one ordered.  Until then the seating die does a nice roll crimp and the loads function smoothly in the rifle.  When/if can get my hands on one will do some side by side comparison and post report back here.

Stay safe and an early Happy 4th of July to all!!

P.B.

[Montana Slim]

FWIW, I removed the internal crimping ring & ground some length off the bottom of a 45-70 FCD to use with my 45-60 WCF. I use both a slight roll crimp & FCD when loading.

BTW, I removed a shade over .21"
I don't resize for BP loads & this puts the crimp (just enough to notice visually) in a nice location to help the cartridge feed into the chamber.

Regards,
Slim

[Black River Smith]

I did the same as Montana Slim for my 45/60.  The 45/70 FCD worked great as the parent cartridge mod.

But I do not think the same is true for the 45/75 because of its larger base diameter.  So I went looking for a 348W I had and my unaltered 45/70FCD.  I was correct the case base diameter will not fit into the 45/70.  So I would assume that the casing you have, bought or converted, to 45/75 would not fit either.

[Montana Slim]

Valid point from Black River Smith.
The lower part of the case activates the crimp action. Not sure, but could possibly compensate by machining ID of the inner crimp ring after it was separated..but requires a lathe & if we had lathes, wouldn't need to buy this die to begin with 

[greyhawk]

HINT   ........dont mess with that smokeless stuff - fillerup with black and then the roll crimp is plenty good