Hoping to own an RCBS AMMOMASTER press tomorrow, what number shell
holder do I need for my caliber, 450/400 3.25" please?

The RCBS one is very expensive. Hornady #54 is for the .450 NE x 3/1/4", the parent case for your .400. The .450/400 3" has the thick rim. Yours has the same thin rim as the .450. I have had my #54 shellholder on backorder for 3 months. I recently got my .450 NE dies but no shellholder yet. Snowwolfe said that Hornady has 75 of them in stock. I wonder when they will send more to distributors.

Glad to see you went with the RCBS.

The RCBS site lists 47 shellholders.
RCBS does not list a shell holder for the 3 1/4" shell, only the 3"

RCBS Site Dies listed:

56575 - .450 #2 NITRO EXP F L DIE SET .450 #2 NITRO EXP F L DIE SET

56578 - .450-400-3 1/4 NITRO EXP F L DIE SET .450-400-3 1/4 NITRO EXP F L DIE SET

56580 - .450-3 1/4 NITRO EXP 3-DIE STEEL SET .450-3 1/4 NITRO EXP 3-DIE STEEL SET


From Midway

Hornady Shellholder #54 (450 Nitro Express)
Product #:464981
Status:Coming Soon
Our Price:$6.79

RCBS has no shellholder for the .450 3 1/4" listed.
RCBS has no shellholder for the .450/400 3 1/4" listed either, only the 3"
or the .450 #2.

This is the 3" thick rim, not 3 1/4" thin rim
450-400 Nitro Express 3" Special 579-525
RCBS Shellholder 450-400 Nitro Express
Product #:579525
Status:Out of Stock, Backorder OK
Our Price:$20.99

RCBS makes .450 and .450/400 3 1/4" dies but why no shellholders?

Jack,

The RCBS #31 works just fine for the 3" and the 3 1/4 and is much cheaper than the RCBS special order shell holder that they make for the 450/400 3 1/4.

buffaloarms.com has them:

450 NE, 450/400 Etc. Shell Holder
Item #: RCB450SH
Your Price: $20.95 / EACH

I got one for my 450BPE thin rim.
It is stamped: "RCBS 450/400"

Give them a call if your nervous about application...great people to deal with!
ND

Thanks all!

Well the EBAY bid on the AmmoMaster 1 went to $177.00, and

I see the AMMOMASTER 2 at www.executivegunworks.com

for $199.95, so I ain't going for the used one on ebay. Is this

a sign that I should go for the REDDING ULTRAMAG instead? Or,

the http://rceco.com/MN.asp?pg=pro...&specific=81&from=36

perhaps?

RCBS #31

Jack...you do know that the newer Rockchucker Supreme will load 3.25" cases?.....the older ones would not. Just FYI.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

I use an ammomaster for loading the 50 BMG. I would not want to load 450/400's on it. It is a large press and takes lots of handle movement to operate. I use the Redding Ultramag press for my nitro cartridges and it works great. I have two of them set up with different bushings.

Mac

If anybody is still looking for a shellholder and dies there is a set of 450-400 3 1/4" on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...geName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Same seller also has a set of 500-465.


I have a set of dies and a shellholder for my 450-400 3 1/4, but if nobody on here wants these I may buy them as an extra set.

Just noticed this thread, and thought I'd chime in. I use the RCBS # 31 shell holder for my 450/400 3".

When I was in last week, my buddy had 2 or 3 # 31's on the shelf down at the gunshop for $6.95 each. If anyone needs one, I could swing by in the next couple days and pick one up.

I have a #31 RCBS, it works but is a little loose.

So, I ordered 2 Hornady #54's and now have them.
They are juuuuussst right!

Where did you find the #54s?

I am having trouble finding .410 Woodleigh Softs.

I got Hornady #54's from http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,7590.html