In all fairness, I don't think this is unreasonable on the surface, but unless Longbob is as care-free with cash as I am, it is over budget.

I'll look for a set at the next gun show, but I think we are going to stay with 458 win mag dies and just wing it.

If several of you are interested in a group purchase to offset the cost, let me know. The crimp die can be fashioned later to custom specs for each after they are set up to make the first full set. At least that is my understanding. So possibly, if 3-5 of us wanted Lee dies, we could do it for well under $100 each. I am not in a hurry. Just throwing that out there.

I just received a three die set, in 416 Howell, from CH4D, for $120. Includes size die, case mouth flare die, and seat die. Good quality. And the dies have a nice large 9/16" diameter threaded stem instead of the smaller 1/4" stem as most dies have.

CH Tool & Die/4D Custom Die Co.
P.O. Box 889
711 N. Sandusky ST.
Mt. Vernon, OH 43050
Voice 740-397-7214
FAX 740-397-6600

Regarding the Lee Factoty Crimp die, you can use a 45-70 or 458 Win crimp die for the Lott if you machine the correct size spacer collar to sit on top of the shellholder, for pushing the crimp collet up in the die. Collar height should be .750" if a 45-70 crimp die, .300" high if a 458 Win crimp die.

You'll get a photocopy of a 1998 catalog with instructions to reference the website for current information...

Personally, I like a printed catalog, it's easier to read in the...um,er...library.

I'm not familiar with the crimp dies and how they differ from a normal crimp die. Can someone explain why you need a spacer? On my 45 win mags I used a normal 45ACP crim die and just didn't thread it into the press as far. I set it with the lock-nut, and all was fine. In fact, I got better feeding from my own ammo than any factory ammo. But that is mostly because of two different case styles for the round; Winchester's and everyone else's.

Is the spacer only for consistency between loading sessions or what? I do not set up my press like they say in the book; I have a ScottB method. But I stick to straightwall pistols from 9mm up to 454.

I will try and post a photo later today. The Lee crimp die uses a sliding hollow collet that goes inside a hollow outside "shell" that is threaded 7/8-14 to screw into your press. The cartridge, with bullet loaded, actually goes up into the collet, then the bottom end of the collet meets the shellholder when the ram is raised. The shellholder both pushes the cartridge into the collet, and pushes the collet into the outside shell. The outside shell has a taper at the top, this closes the collet at the top of the ram stroke and squeezes the case rim into the bullet cannulure. So, if you are using a 458 Win crimp die for Lott cartridges, the collet is 0.300" too short and you need an additional spacer collar to drop over the cartridge before raising the ram. This style of crimp die works much better than the crimp we get from a standard bullet seating die, as it does not push the case mouth "down" which can buckle a case if the trim length is not perfect. As the collet type crimp die pushes in from the side, it can put in a deeper crimp. The Lee Crimp Die is the only Lee product that I am impressed with. I have modified them for use on oversize and none-standard cartridges. I made a special crimp die for a 50 cal wildcat that has high recoil and uses a tubular magazine. Lee does not make a 50 cal crimp die, as the collet is too big to fit a 7/8-14 press. I made the die body 1-1/4 inches in diameter to fit a RockChucker press with the top threaded bushing removed.

I think I could build something like that.

So 458 win mag dies, and the 458 win mag factory crimp die, and a spacer? Sounds good to me.

WyoJoe

jim dodd

------------------
"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

I noticed earlier today someone had a RCBS 458 die set listed in the reloading section of ebay. Don't know anymore about it than that but thought I'd mention it.

Good luck, Joe.

WyoJoe

Anyway, just trying to help.

Reed

quote:

---

Originally posted by Longbob:
I placed a couple of bids for it and I keep getting out bid. The other guy has some automatic bid that keeps outdoing mine.

---

Have you tried "Graf and Sons" - I get most of my reloading kit from them, see link below;

http://www.grafs.com/shopRegularProducts.cfm?startItem=126

They list RCBS56586 - RCBS 458 LOTT 3-DIE SET GROUP L, S/H #4 for $169.31

I bought a set of these and am very happy, the built crimp does a good job of applying a roll crimp and seating the bullet in one go.

------------------

Peter
www.shafa.net
Shafa Safaris

It's for a 450 Watts but may be useful??? It closes in 30 minutes so this is probably futile. Anyway, $42.50.

Reed

Longbob, I picked up some primers and a pound of Reloader 7. Spent about $20 so far. No bullets, I'll pick some up at market hall on the 5th.

The brass is $25 per box of 20, and is in stock.

jim dodd

------------------
"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

"Thank you for your interest in Redding Reloading Equipment. We'll have 458
LOTT dies available in about 16-20 weeks. It'll be a three die set, including
sizing, expanding and seating/crimping dies."

It looks like the will be available without special ordering.

You could advise your RSA outfitter pal that 458 Lott unprimed brass is available from DENEL in Pretoria at $20.00 for a box of 50.

I have recently bought another 100 and am very happy with the product which is basically 375 H&H stock brass before it is necked down or headstamped.

Regards

------------------

Peter
www.shafa.net
Shafa Safaris

Thanks for the RSA brass source, I passed it along to the guy I mentioned.

jim dodd

------------------
"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

I stopped at several booths, and found one with Redding 458 win mag dies. The woman helping me asked the man there what they were, he said $30. I looked them over, no shellholder, and looked a little dirty, and asked if she would take $25 or else throw in a shellholder. She said no, they were $45. I told her that the fellow just said $30, and she said no, he said $45. I handed them back. Really twilight zone stuff. I'm glad I did now.

I got some bullets though. 130 pieces total. Hows your retina?

I'm not sure as to whether DENEL's PMP (Pretoria Metal Pressings which is the small arms ammo division ) can supply Ackley Brass, they manufacture a wide variety of components though which I do use for all my reloading.

They can be contacted via these emails ; Info@pmp.co.za or Tech@pmp.co.za

PMP's website is at;

http://www.pmp.co.za/

Regards

Peter