I have a 45/70 Lee Factory Crimp die and wondered if anyone has used it on a .450 Nitro round?

Haven't used one on that specific cartridge but have used them on others that have a common caliber but longer case than intended. You just need to make a cylinder of the correct length that will slip over the case before you get on the press handle. The cylinder will push up against the base of the collet and crimp the case mouth. Start a little long and shave off any excess until you have the correct length for the cylinder to apply the crimp where you want it. Helps to have a lathe or a friend that has one.

no ..
it can't ... it won't function properly...it MAY do a crimp at the top of the stroke, but it won't be the same.. may as well use any other tool at that point

Thanks for the replies guys. I can see what NFMike is getting at. I was interested in using the LFC die because I use it on my .45/70 loads and it works well. I doubt Lee will make a .450 Nitro LFC die anytime soon.

Dave: Its a phone call away. Go to Lees web site and then to FCD. After the list of dies, it shows CUSTOM SERVICES, click on it and it will tell you how to order one. $29 I have ordered 3 in the past and they all worked perfect.

Fat_Albert,

Thanks. I emailed them yesterday and received a rapid reply that confirms what you said.


Reply from Lee:

The 450 Nitro Express Die Set and Factory Crimp Die would be a Custom order:

Factory Crimp Dies

The collet-type Factory crimp die can be made for a wide variety of cartridges. Most rifle cartridges will fit into the 7/8-14 thread die body. If your cartridge falls within the following parameters it will fit into our standard 7/8-14 die;
Bullet diameter .177 - .501 (minimum - maximum)
Body diameter .295 - .580
Case length 1.345 - 3.400
(all dimensions in inches)
Cartridges over the maximum in any of the three parameters will probably fit into the large-series dies. These have a 1 1/4-12 thread, so your press must be capable of accepting this thread size. To place an order, send payment of $25 for a 7/8-14 series die, or $50 for a 1 1/4-12 series die, plus $4 for shipping and handling, and a dummy cartridge (a bullet seated in an empty case). The dummy cartridge is for testing purposes, so please make sure it is within normal dimensional tolerances.

Custom Carbide Factory Crimp Dies for handgun cartridges can be made for most handgun cartridges that are not in regular stock. Cost is $30.00 plus $4 for shipping and handling. In most cases, a dummy cartridge is not necessary for Carbide Factory Crimp Dies. Sizes available run from 25 ACP sized cases up to the 480 Ruger. The 50 AE cannot be made because the carbide ring necessary for this cartridge is too large for our manufacturing process.


Collet Die Set

A Custom Collet Die Set costs $55 per set which consists of the Collet sizer and the Dead Length Bullet Seater, a shell holder and dipper. Maximum outer diameter at the base is .555 and the maximum bullet diameter is .375. There are a few exceptions for the larger Ultra Mags and if interested in those, you may want to give us a call or send a case to determine whether or not we can make them.

Cartridges with a larger bullet diameter or base diameter than those listed above can be made in our large series dies, which have 1 1/4-12 thread. Note that these large series dies will only fit into our Classic Cast press, and some of our competitors larger presses. Large series dies are $150 per set. Large series dies can be made for cartridges ranging in size up to and including the 50 BMG.

If you are interested in a custom collet die set, send payment, and three fired cases from the rifle that the ammunition is to be reloaded for. We use these cases to determine the dimensions of the dies to be made. Please also send a couple sample bullets, so we can test the dies before shipment.

Our address is:

Lee Precision, Inc.
4275 Highway "U"
Hartford, WI 53027

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
no ..
it can't ... it won't function properly...it MAY do a crimp at the top of the stroke, but it won't be the same.. may as well use any other tool at that point

Explain?

I had considered making a cylinder sleeve as NFMike mentioned. I was a Journeyman Machinist decades ago. As a Mechanical Engineer, I don't get to make things in the shop anymore. Or, I can spend the $$ to have Lee make me one. I could put together a dummy round, but do not have fired cases since my rifle won't be finished until Jan/Feb 2010.

I've been using a Lee 45-70 FCD with a short section of pipe to crimp 45-120 rounds for years, it works fine.

I took some measurements:

Case Rim Extr Grv Rear Mouth
Type Dia Dia Dia Dia

.45/70 0.601 0.499 0.499 0.471-4
Empty

.45/70 0.601 0.499 0.497 0.480
405 JFN

.450 NE 0.591 0.535 0.543 0.472-5
Empty

.450 NE 0.601 0.535 0.543 0.479
Hornady
480 SN

.450 NE 0.589 None 0.545 0.481
Kynoch
(Old)

.450 NE 0.596 0.529 0.543 0.482
Kynoch
(New)

I looked up the .45/120 Sharps and it has the same case dimensions except for length.

Looks doable to me.