New to 45 ACP. Recommend a die set please

[THG]

Got a good deal on a Glock 30SF. I've never loaded 45 ACP. Those of you that load for 45 ACP is there a preferred die set? Is there anything I should steer clear of?
Thank you for your time.

[dverna]

I like the Dillon pistol dies as the seating die is easy to clean

[TNsailorman]

I have a Redding Carbide set in .45ACP and a RCBS standard steel set in .45ACP. Both work just fine and I can recommend them both. If you don't like applying lube to cases, then the carbide dies are the way to go. It never hurts to lightly lube the case even when using carbide dies. Don't overwork the cases by flaring the mouth too much. Just enough to allow the bullet to start is all you need. If you are using a semi-auto like the Glock, you need to taper crimp, not roll crimp the mouths. I would suggest you trim the cases the first time you load them to the proper uniform length. From there on, you should not have to ever trim them again. I have never loaded for a Glock so I am not going to make recommendations on that pistol, I load for the 1911 and revolvers in .45ACP / AR.

[1hole]

'Suppose there may be a half dozen "best". That's because all of them work very well. But, IMHO, Lyman and Redding dies ARE, by a small margin, the overall best functioning handgun dies for single stage and turret presses. And you'll probably be happier with Dillon dies in a progressive press. IF money is a problem Lee's aren't very pretty but many of us know they do load excellent ammo.

(Telling anyone buying new dies to chose "carbide" dies is redundant, no one has made plain steel pistol sizers in decades.)

[Char-Gar]

RCBS or Redding

[jaguarxk120]

RCBS or Redding.

[Dekota56]

I have RCBS, Just loaded 185 rounds , 230 grain hollow points.

[Baltimoreed]

Make sure it has a carbide sizer die so you don’t have to lubricate cases. The .45acp is a pretty foolproof cartridge so and brand would work. My personal preference is RCBS.

[Mk42gunner]

Right now? Whatever you can find.

If you have a choice: RCBS, Redding, Lyman, whatever, then Lee (Idon't like jerking the case off the powder through expander they supply) although they do work.

Robert

[JeffG]

RCBS or Redding

[CPTCUFFS]

You may also want to pick up a taper crimp die. My first factory set would not crimp quite good enough. That solved my issues with chambering.

[QuackAttack24]

RCBS and Redding- all I have used for pistol calibers. Can't comment on others, but I can tell you that the ones I do own have functioned flawlessly. The only Lee dies I have used are the Lee factory crimp dies which I really like for crimping 38 Sp and 357 Mag. You shouldn't need a separate taper crimp die with RCBS carbide die sets. All of the RCBS carbide die sets I own came with a taper crimp die and say TC on the label, except for the 44 SP/Mag die set, which came with a roll crimp die. With RCBS, if it doesn't say TC on the label, it's a roll crimp.

[JimB..]

Today it’s what you can find!
I prefer Dillon on the progressive but also have and use RCBS, Redding and Hornady. I had Lee but I gave them away to a new reloader. They all work.

[Dave W.]

I have used most brands, they will work. Dillon's are my favorite, now that is almost all I use.

[jim147]

I've been using Lee dies in 45 ACP for over 30 years. I have several other brands but all of them are made to work.

[Rockzilla]

What ever you can get your hands on at this time.
Carbide Sizers, brands... RCBS, Redding, Dillon, CH Tool, Mighty Armory.
Lyman 'M" Die, CH Tool Taper Crimp Die

-Rock

[smithnframe]

I have both Lyman and RCBS…….they both work fine for me in 45 acp and 45 ar.

[Rich/WIS]

Have used LEE, RCBS and currently use Hornady, all worked as designed. Whatever brand you find by all means get a taper crimp die and seat and crimp as a separate operations.

[Blindshooter]

I mix and match to get what I need done. Dillon, Lee, RCBS and Redding.

I think if I had to have one set it would be Dillon.

[DocSavage]

You may also want to pick up a taper crimp die. My first factory set would not crimp quite good enough. That solved my issues with chambering.

Separate taper crimp die is the way to go, it will make life a whole lot easier. I have Dillon,RCBS and Redding carbide. Redding's titanium carbide seems to be a bit "slippier" is the sizing department than tungsten carbide but you'll never wear the die out.