45 colt dies, missing parts

[Char-Gar]

The sizer is probably a replacement, (1977) by the date on the die. the rest of the set is probably older (look at the of the top of the other two dies and you should find a two digit date) you should be good to go with what you have. They have lasted 40+ years and will still be going in another 40 if you look after them.

While not super common, it is not uncommon to find RCBS die sets with dies made in different years. They may be replacements as you mentioned or sets put together during a time of transition at the factory, i.e. steel sizing dies to carbide sizing dies. Dies were not made in sets, but runs of individual dies and sometimes a set was put together from inventory with mixed dates. The reversed date code on the box end label would be the best evidence of when the set went into their stock inventory.

[AZ Pete]

While not super common, it is not uncommon to find RCBS die sets with dies made in different years. They may be replacements as you mentioned or sets put together during a time of transition at the factory, i.e. steel sizing dies to carbide sizing dies. Dies were not made in sets, but runs of individual dies and sometimes a set was put together from inventory with mixed dates. The reversed date code on the box end label would be the best evidence of when the set went into their stock inventory.

with the introduction of carbide sizing dies, folks like me bought. ew carbide sizers for existing pistol die sets..probably what happened here since RCBS used grey boxes for carbide die sets and green boxes for steel.

[Green Frog]

While it’s not important with a 45 Colt set, for loading the 38 Spl and 357 Mag as well as 44 Spl and Mag the long magnum decapper won’t expand the shorter case, and the short expander won’t decap the magnum cases. The later style is much more versatile.

Froggie

PS I just remembered, there is a short version of the 45 Colt being used in Cowboy Action Shooting, so even that 45 set might be worth updating to the new configuration.

[Taterhead]

If you want to have a de-capper in your sizer, RCBS can send you the threaded insert and a de-cap assembly for your sizer. Then you can remove the de-cap pin from the expander assembly.

They did that for a couple of sets I had from the 70s for free. As configured they won't work for a progressive press.

[dale2242]

Your die set is complete.
FL sizer die.
Decapper/expander die.
Bullet seating die.

[jason367]

Old school dies. New ones have decapper sizer, expander and seater.

[gwpercle]

I’ve got a 45 colt on the way and I just picked up some dies. What am I missing and can I get it somewhere?
Attachment 295806

The die on the far right is complete ...it has no "guts" ...it is a sizing die and simply sizes the case , no guts are required .

The center die is the depriming and neck expanding die ... the "guts" is the depriming pin and neck expander .

The die on the left is a boolit seating and crimping die ... it can seat the boolit and crimp in one operation if you like or you can adjust the die to seat the boolit in one operation , no crimp and then re-adjust the die to crimp without seating the boolit any deeper ...this is seating and crimping in two steps .

Over the years RCBS has changed which dies do what ... my 1967 357 Magnum dies have three dies like yours ...1.) size , 2.)de-prime & neck expand , 3.) seat & crimp

You will get some confusion on all this ...I hope this helps .
My old set also has that round piece of cardboard in it ...looks like a shotgun shell wad to me ...never could figure out what to do with it ?
Gary

[j4570]

You Needs RCBS part number 09617 decapping assembly if you want to use them in your Dillon 550. This converts it to decap in the size die. Dies from the 60’s arent threaded for a decap assembly so make sure it’s threaded.

You usually can borrow the decapper out of a rifle die like a 30-06 but the guide bushing (threaded adapter from the dies to the decap rod) is too small for pistol dies 41 and larger.

I tried to get RCBS to sell me one but they sent me an assembly for free. That was some years ago.

If you aren’t going to reload them on your 550, those dies will work fine.

JW

The die on the far right is complete ...it has no "guts" ...it is a sizing die and simply sizes the case , no guts are required .

The center die is the depriming and neck expanding die ... the "guts" is the depriming pin and neck expander .

The die on the left is a boolit seating and crimping die ... it can seat the boolit and crimp in one operation if you like or you can adjust the die to seat the boolit in one operation , no crimp and then re-adjust the die to crimp without seating the boolit any deeper ...this is seating and crimping in two steps .

Over the years RCBS has changed which dies do what ... my 1967 357 Magnum dies have three dies like yours ...1.) size , 2.)de-prime & neck expand , 3.) seat & crimp

You will get some confusion on all this ...I hope this helps .
My old set also has that round piece of cardboard in it ...looks like a shotgun shell wad to me ...never could figure out what to do with it ?
Gary

[Catmanran]

RCBS used to put the decapping pin on the expander, today it goes on the sizer. I think you might be good to go. On the right is the sizer, then in the center decaps and flares, then the left seats and crimps.

Sorry for my earlier post, I never remember the older die config, it’s not optimal for progressive presses.

In case you don’t have setup instructions, see pg 10
https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/4ff...=1614259623807

Could you put up the instructions again the link no longer will work. I’ll print it out this time

[JimB..]

Could you put up the instructions again the link no longer will work. I’ll print it out this time

Try this https://media.mwstatic.com/productdo...structions.pdf

Not mine.

[Catmanran]

Thanks! got em printed