Henry Rifle Forums

Got my hands on some 454 Casull brass to shoot out of my 460. Is there any reason I can't use my 45 Colt dies? No sense buying another set of dies if not needed. Thanks, Dave

dmanwarren wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:18 pm

Got my hands on some 454 Casull brass to shoot out of my 460. Is there any reason I can't use my 45 Colt dies? No sense buying another set of dies if not needed. Thanks, Dave

Probably, though you might need to get a 454 specific case mouth expander. 454, thicker case wall. Looks like the RCBS spare part numbers between the two die sets are the same, except for the expander. I think if you were careful with the 45 colt expander it would work, but overdoing it might cause a case mouth split.

Thanks Mags, I also wondered if my 460 die would screw in far enough to expand case. And also the 460 for resizeing because of the wall thickness.

dmanwarren wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 04, 2023 6:58 am

Thanks Mags, I also wondered if my 460 die would screw in far enough to expand case. And also the 460 for resizeing because of the wall thickness.

If your 460 die won’t screw in far enough but will work otherwise RCBS used to make an extended shell holder. Not sure if that’s still the case.

dmanwarren wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 04, 2023 6:58 am

Thanks Mags, I also wondered if my 460 die would screw in far enough to expand case. And also the 460 for resizeing because of the wall thickness.

In these calibers only the outside of the case is resized, so wall thickness won't matter with the sizing die. But with the thicker 454/460 wall the brass may be a little stiffer to size, so a barely wet finger wipe of lube on the case may help avoid a stuck case.

Should work with a bit of adjustment, I load 32swl 32h&R and 327FM with a set of 32swl dies.
If they are carbide dies then it is only the insert in the die mouth that does any sizing.