Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I have a 550 press with a 45 Colt conversion. Dillon lists a separate shell plate for 44 Russian/Spcl/Mag than for 45 Colt. Seems to me like I should be able to use the .45 shell plate for the .44's, needing only to change the powder funnel (locator buttons are the same). The thickness of both rims is the same. The rim diameter of the .44 is .514 versus .512 for the .45. Are the shellplates so tight that .002 oversize won't fit? Or that the .001 difference in center-bore makes a difference in fitting into the dies? On my Lee press, the .44 Spcl and 45 Colt use the same shell holder. My loader is across town right now or I would try the fit myself. Am I overlooking anything besides the powder funnel that would make a difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Use the correct to for the job. There is a difference. OLG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted February 10, 2022 Author Share Posted February 10, 2022 Maybe that .001 that the center of the shell is off will make a difference in primer seating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 You need the right shell plate & pins. Anything else is what we used to call "half fast." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.S. Sooner, SASS #73526 Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 The shell plates measure 0.015+- difference, I have both. Would not work very well, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.S. Sooner, SASS #73526 Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 44 minutes ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said: I have a 550 press with a 45 Colt conversion. Dillon lists a separate shell plate for 44 Russian/Spcl/Mag than for 45 Colt. Seems to me like I should be able to use the .45 shell plate for the .44's, needing only to change the powder funnel (locator buttons are the same). The thickness of both rims is the same. The rim diameter of the .44 is .514 versus .512 for the .45. Are the shellplates so tight that .002 oversize won't fit? Or that the .001 difference in center-bore makes a difference in fitting into the dies? On my Lee press, the .44 Spcl and 45 Colt use the same shell holder. My loader is across town right now or I would try the fit myself. Am I overlooking anything besides the powder funnel that would make a difference? Measure the cases above the rim, the difference is closer to 0.024 on the cases I measured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
"Big Boston" Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I have both, and after measuring the differences, I also agree strongly with the advice you've already been given. In addition to the slot, the 45 Colt shell plate is a bunch (about 0.035") thicker in the area that the die will seat/fit into. Dillon does some funky things with different shellplates. Some even seem to be specifically designed, in subtle ways, to be used with Dillon dies. BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Have only a couple of sets of Dillon dies, but IMO they are excellent. Wish I'd found out sooner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Odd man out here I use the 45 Colt plate for 44 Mag when a have a small batch to reload--works fine this is on SDB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted February 10, 2022 Author Share Posted February 10, 2022 Thanks for some of those measurements. So far nobody has actuaIly tried it except on a SDB. I think I will take a few empty 44 Spcl (with the .45 dies in place) and just see if they deprime and prime okay. If they do, I will continue the experiment. If not, that's that. No rush, the machine is 15 minutes away and the .44 brass is 90 miles away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I use the 45 colt shellplate for 44/40 and it works fine, this is on a 550. kR PS this tells me it is a little large for the 45 colt as the Lee shellplate for 45 colt will NOT accept a 44-40 shell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I'm no help. I load on a Dillion 650 and the cartridge feed guide and the shell plate are definitely different. A 44 rattles around in the 45 shell plate and pops out of the guide plate. PS: Cummon Abilene. right parts/tools for the job. Don't bodge it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tully Mars Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Try it and see. I've used the 45 Colt for 44-40's on the 650, same as Kid Rich. Measurements are fine and dandy, but if it works, it works. Tully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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