1bluehorse
05-13-2012, 01:15 PM
I know, I know, this has been beat to death on more than one forum but I just did some measuring (I've only checked my 45 colt dies before as that's what I load for mostly)(this is also where my previous opinions originated) and thought I would run this by you guys to see If that horse actually did kick me in the head after I fell off, and my math abilities have completely deserted me..(more than likely) I will preface this by saying I've generally been an advocate of this die (the 45 colt die above) and pooh poohed alot of the "swaging" of cast bullet threads I've read but now I'm not so sure anymore. The only other LCFCD's I have (for pistol) are 38/357 and 44sp/Mag.
The ID of the carbide ring on the 38/357 die measured .376, the brass (both nickel and brass) is a nominal .011.
The ID of the 44 die measured .452 and the brass (both kinds) also measure .011.
The 45 colt ID measured .477, with the brass the same as the others.
The ID's were measured with minus pin gauges and the brass with calipers.
By subtracting the brass thickness from the ID of the die you should get bullet diameter, right??????? If my math, and method, are correct, the 357 die would allow a bullet dia of .354, the 44 die would allow a bullet dia of .430 and the 45 colt die would allow .455...(***) Or have I completley lost all form of reasoning and should give up this pastime and just move into the "home". If this is correct it would explain (to me) why the 357's always "bump" using this die and why a lot of guys are complaing about "swaging" their .432 sized 44's. I would also add that the brass thickness measurments could be +or- a thousandth with the use calipers and headstamp. I'll wait to see what you all have to say..but I think my opinion on this die has changed a bit...
The ID of the carbide ring on the 38/357 die measured .376, the brass (both nickel and brass) is a nominal .011.
The ID of the 44 die measured .452 and the brass (both kinds) also measure .011.
The 45 colt ID measured .477, with the brass the same as the others.
The ID's were measured with minus pin gauges and the brass with calipers.
By subtracting the brass thickness from the ID of the die you should get bullet diameter, right??????? If my math, and method, are correct, the 357 die would allow a bullet dia of .354, the 44 die would allow a bullet dia of .430 and the 45 colt die would allow .455...(***) Or have I completley lost all form of reasoning and should give up this pastime and just move into the "home". If this is correct it would explain (to me) why the 357's always "bump" using this die and why a lot of guys are complaing about "swaging" their .432 sized 44's. I would also add that the brass thickness measurments could be +or- a thousandth with the use calipers and headstamp. I'll wait to see what you all have to say..but I think my opinion on this die has changed a bit...