doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Substitute dies for 450/400 2 3/8 and 500/450 mag

I have two double rifles in the above calibers. I am going to use 10.3x60R brass in the 400 and have Bertram brass for the 500/450 magnum. The new cases fit fine in the double rifles. I don't want to wait 6 months and pay hundreds of dollars for dies. Are there any easily available dies that I can use to neck size and seat the bullets? An example would be using .458 Winchester dies to load .450 3 1/4 straight, as long as full length resizing isn't needed. Obviously need the correct size for the bullet diameter. Am I barking up the wrong tree?

No, good ideas.
As long as the ammo fits, headspace is not
compromised and the cases and bullets are not mangled with the
non-specific dies, all should be well
Mike

A neat neck sizing die could be a 45 Colt die.
Either sizing or seating die(the seating die
giving less sizing of the case neck.

Deprime with universal die
Neck size with 45 colt seat die
If using lead bullets, step expand with Lyman M die
Reprime with hand tool or press and shell holder
Seat bullet with suitable die.

GarryD007,
For the 450/400 2 3/8", you might be able to use a procedure similar to the one skeetx described for the 500/450; but use 41 mag sizing die.The Lyman"M" mentioned by skeetx has a 1/2"-20 thread (depending on make- the 41mag expander may also have this thread), so an expander/belling stem can be easily made from a hardware store 1/2"-20 bolt.Iron the "bell" out with the 41mag seating die.I would guess this would work, but I never loaded 450/400-2 3/8", so I'm not sure.
Mike

Der Ami
YES some of the M dies are 1/2-20 for the Tru-line and 310 tools
BUT I was refering to the 7/8x14 M dies

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/340927/...=ProductFinding

In any case, this is pure joy to use common things to make our firearms shoot.

And if you wish to set your pistol dies higher, you can use the powder measure adapter
http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/catid/3/pid/23634/?viewImg=1

Mike

Thanks a lot guys, I'll try the ideas you gave me. I have a press and shell holders for both calibers, I just need the case resized at the mouth, expanded for a paper patch bullet and seating the bullet. The 500/450 3 1/4" magnum BPE is an Alex Henry top lever hammer double rifle in its original oak and leather case with a complete fitted set of original reloading tools. However, I don't want to screw up the sizing die and metal punch that are in the set. Plus the bullet is held in the case by a crimp tool that indents the case.

Try marking your cases as to left or right barrel and do not swap them. After initial fire forming you should not need to do more than neck size and perhaps crimp. Indenting the case with the factory tool is not in my mind necessary, a mild or taper crimp with a die is all that is needed. You will need a crimp of some sort, as the recoil from one barrel may dislodge the bullet in the other barrel. During your initial experimentation of loads, fire one barrel then examine the loaded round in the second barrel to see if the bullet has been moved by the recoil.

Harry

skeetx,
No, I'm not talking about the outside thread,rather the thread for the expander(the inside thread).I load for several rifles,using a combination of different dies.Also I believe a lathe is a requirement of life.
Mike

I found 10.3x60R reloading dies for 69.00 and 10.3x60R cases for 76.00 and read where these cases interchange for the 450/400 2 3/8. However my rifle has a grove diameter of about .407 and the dies from Hornady show .415 bullet diameter. I really am not sure the cases are totally interchangable, have any of you guys tried the 10.3X60R cases in the 450/400 2 3/8? Thanks again

I use the 10.3X60R Swiss cases in a Woodward DR. They work fine. I have grove diameters of 0.412 and 0.413. For neck sizing and bullet seating, I use a (Hornady, I think) 7/8X14 die that accepts various ID sleeves; there are a considerable range of sleeves available at reasonable price. This combo works well. It may take a try or two to get the best size sleeve.

Indeed, a lathe is a necessity of life! Not only is this stuff easy to make, it is down-right fun.

DDA

Yup a lathe is necessary and fun!
Had mine for 30+ years
Mike