.45 Colt sizing die variances

[LonesomePigeon]

I was wondering which brand of .45 Colt sizing/decapping die is going to provide the largest possible diameter?
My 3rd Gen Colt SAA has large cylinder chambers and large .455" throats which are typical for Colt's. My Lee dies size the cases down to an outer diameter of .473" at the base(I think this is called the web?) and to .470" in the middle and .470" at the mouth. I want something bigger so that the case does not have to expand as much in sealing the chambers. I think this would improve accuracy and extend case life.

PS. I don't like neck sizing because it kind of gives the cases a weird hourglass shape.

[Dave T]

The dies I've been using for the last few years are the RCBS "Cowboy" version, with a carbide sizing die. As I understand it they are a bit more generous to allow for cast bullet loading. As you noted Lee dies seem to be intended for jacketed bullets. The 38/357 dies I have from Lee do not open the case enough after full length sizing to seat cast bullets. The RCBS Cowboy die set might be what you're looking for.

Dave

[Tronicst1]

My Lee Dies produce the same dimensions as yours .473" at the head and .470" in the middle and at the mouth.

You may have to call the other manufacturers to see what theirs produce.

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy Lonesome,

After a few thousand rounds you get used to the hourglass (wasp waist) shape. I'm told that neck siding helps reduce blow-back, too. That seems to be my experience with cowboy loads.

Rev. Chase

[LonesomePigeon]

Thanks for the advice so far. I may call or email the manufacturers and ask.

[Coffinmaker]

Hey There Lonesomeness 

I actually don't have and answer to your Die quandary.  I've never looked into it.  I have noted in my sordid past, Colt chambers are just a mite generous and the throats are atrocious.  Even with Generous dies, your first firing will result in some failed cases, and regardless, you're not going to get a good chamber seal with 45 Colt cartridges "out of the box."  45s simply will not expand sufficiently to seal the chamber.  HOWEVER:

I would suggest you investigate annealing your 45 Colt cases.  Annealing the cases will soften the brass, allowing it to seal quite nicely.  In a handgun, you may have some minor issues with ejection but overall performance will improve.  Burma Shave

[Professor Marvel]

As Coffin pointed out

,

   Colt chambers are just a mite generous and the throats are a mite generous

Bear in mind, if you modify your cases to fit the Colt, they will not chamber in any else!
Colt did not seem to care at the time.

Modern replicas have more "correct" chamber sizing, in general, excpet for the exceptions.

[U.S.M.R.]

Not much help.  With the ridiculous tests the ordnance department put the SAA through it's no wonder that the tolerances are what they are. Back in latter part of the last century RCBS dies were mostly considered for jacketed bullets while Lyman were for cast.  Not always but generally. I shoot .45 S&W Schofield because the smaller case is easier to deal with. I've always been satisfied with RCBS cowboy dies for cast bullets.