450 Bushmaster Question

[RustyReel]

Being the frugal (cheap) guy that I am, I was wondering if it is possible to seat and crimp boolits in a 450 BM case using 45 Colt dies?? Be loading boolits I use for the 45 colt. Don't have the rifle yet and Lee dies seem to be OOS everywhere so just wondering. Thanks....

[Pipefitter]

The quick answer here is NO! The 45 colt is a rimmed cartridge and uses a roll crimp. The 450 Bushmaster is a rimless (actually a rebated rim) and headspaces on the case mouth, requiring a taper crimp.

A roll crimp on the 450 will allow the case to slip too far into the chamber, resulting in either a failure to fire, or excessive pressure.

Lots of good information on the 450 Bushmaster forum (search for it).

[15meter]

Not convinced that it couldn't be done, if shot in a bolt gun, neck size only, when seating the boolit, just bring the bell back to straight. It will be trial and error, not unlike adjusting a 45 ACP to just fit the chamber.

Might even want to try a 45 ACP die if you have one.

Doubt if I would do it with full house loads or even hunting loads that I was depending on to put meat on the table.

Hopefully price/availability of real dies improves.

Post the results if you try it.

[15meter]

Wasn't even aware Lee was making dies for the 450.
Curiosity got the best of me.
Went looking and Titan shows them in stock for $33.
Not cheap, cheap but a whole lot less than the Hornady.

[RustyReel]

Thanks guys. I'm thinking 45 ACP now as well. Never heard of Titan but thank for the tip. $33 is considerably less than other makers are asking. Thanks again!!

[15meter]

Thanks guys. I'm thinking 45 ACP now as well. Never heard of Titan but thank for the tip. $33 is considerably less than other makers are asking. Thanks again!!

Don't say you don't know Titan, they're one of the site sponsors��

[Dancing Bear]

I got the Lee 450B dies. The only thing I ended up doing was to polish edge on the bullet seating die as it was leaving an impression ring on the bullets. Other than that no problems.I'm loading the Lee Precision 452-252-SWC bullets I originally cast for my MZ.