I have 250 .45 Cowboy Special brass cases on order from Starline.
Goal is to download a 200 grain RNFP for SASS/cowboy action shooting in a .45 Colt Ruger or Colt clone revolver.
The .45 Cowboy Special is a shortened .45 Colt that's about the length of a .45 ACP. Rumor says to use .45 Auto Rim data.
I assume I can use the .45 Colt sizing die, but what about case flaring and crimping?
Thanks.
UPDATE:
To get a roll crimp, I bought a used Lee 45 Colt seater die at my LGS for $5. It has a roll crimp shoulder, but is too long for the short 45 Cowboy Special brass.
I put the die in a vise and cut it about 3/8" shorter with a grinder and a 1/8" wheel. Sparks flew.
I opened up the end for easy feeding with my Dremel tool and a carbide burr, then sanded it smooth with a 120-grit mini drum sander, again in the Dremel. (All this would be better done on a lathe, which I don't have.)
Nice reliable crimp without using the 45 factory crimp die's carbide sizing ring, which makes the Colt brass too small, in my opinion.
45 Colt is 0.480" dia straight wall from mouth to base.
45 ACP actually tapers from 0.473" at the mouth to 0.476" at the base.
So here's my die setup in a Lee Ultimate Turret press with 5 positions:
1. Lee 45 Colt carbide sizer
2. Lee 45 ACP powder-thru expander with Auto Drum powder drop
3. Lee 45 Inline Bullet Feeder with single tube adapter (very reliable bullet feeding, by the way)
4. Lee 45 ACP seater, backed off so it won't crimp
5. Lee 45 Colt roll crimper (shortened 45 Colt seating die)