Can one set of dies be used for both?

The Lee 'factory crimp' is the same for both but the other dies (powder, sizing, etc) are listed separately.

I know 44 Special can be used on 44 Mag and 38 special on 357.

So can you use 45 Colt on 454 (or vis versa)?

When you have two straight-wall cartridges that are identical except for case length (i.e. 38 Special/357 Magnum), the only real difference is in the seating/crimping die. If the die is designed for the longer cartridge, the shorter cartridge cannot be crimped because the shorter case won't reach to the crimp section before the die hits the shellholder.

For that reason, MOST die sets are designed with the seater die short enough to be used with the shorter cartridge. For the longer case, the die can simply be adjusted upwards; some die sets even come with a machined spacer that can be slipped on to make this adjustment automatically.

In the specific instance of the .454 Casull, I'm not sure if the seat/crimp die is designed this way. If so, I'd expect the die box to be labeled ".454 Casull/.45 Colt" or some such. If the box is NOT so labeled, perhaps it is not designed for both. But even if it isn't, it would not be difficult to grind the bottom of the die a bit to shorten it.

Warning: do NOT grind the sizer die! The very bottom of the sizer die is the part that does the sizing - usually in a very narrow ring or band. Removing any or all of that ring ruins the die.

Just looking around at different sets is also confusing.

Redding flat out says their 3 die set is 45 Colt and 454 Casull.

Lee has same 'factory crimp' or 'tapered crimp' die for both but lists 3 die sets separately.

Not sure for Lymen or RCBS as their stuff just confuses me.

I tried calling Lee but no one answered.

If anyone knows for sure please let me know.

Also, I suppose you can use Redding dies on any press, correct?

Not sure for Lymen or RCBS as their stuff just confuses me. Also, I suppose you can use Redding dies on any press, correct?

RCBS lists different die set numbers for these calibers so evidently they feel that one size does not fit all. As to Redding dies fitting any press, the die makers have pretty much standardized on the 7/8" x 14 dimensions for dies so you would be 99.9% sure of being correct. I believe the only current exception is the Dillon Square Deal "B" which uses different sized dies. If I am incorrect, which I often am, someone please let me know so I don't perpetuate a fallacy.

If i missed this someone beat me sensless. The only problem you will encounter is when you want to crimp using the longer cased dies on the shorter cased caliber i.e. 454 die
and crimp a 45 sho. or colt. I have also found that when i use .45 colt dies when reloading .454 Casull you can over crimp and ruin a case if your not careful. Happy reloading. Hard Cast

My research showed that the 454 dies size the case a smidge smaller to help hold the bullet more firmly for the additional recoil.
Some of the older 45 Colt dies may be to short to size the 454 cases completely, also?

If i missed this someone beat me sensless. The only problem you will encounter is when you want to crimp using the longer cased dies on the shorter cased caliber i.e. 454 die
and crimp a 45 sho. or colt. I have also found that when i use .45 colt dies when reloading .454 Casull you can over crimp and ruin a case if your not careful. Happy reloading. Hard Cast
Then it sounds like I should get the Lee 45 Colt set with the factory crimp die since they list that die as the same for both calibers.

Correct, and they also list the .480 ruger and the .475 Linebaugh as the same die. I think it is their way of controling run away inventories. Except for case length there isnt any difference in the .454/.45, .480R/.475L,38 /.357,.500bpe/.500ne and so on. Happy reloading. Hard Cast

I believe Redding list the same dies for .45/.454.

I've heard that some folks had problems with inadequate neck tension using hornady 45 colt sizer dies, and when they complained, Hornady sent them 454 sizers and their problems were solved.

Whey I went shopping for my 45 colt die set, I noticed that the 454 set was the same price as the 45 colt, but also included the taper crimp die. The seater and expander dies are the same part numbers in both sets. The taper crimp die used to be listed as 45colt/454, but now is listed as 454 only. Don't know if it is changed any. I seat/crimp in one step with the seater die anyway.

Long story short: Hornady 454 set works fine for my 45 colt reloading. The seater is really good, in that it has the floating alignment sleeve that forster and redding competition seaters have, but it is a lot cheaper, and it can crimp too.. The hornady also disassembles for cleaning while still on the press, without affecting the settings. Very handy when seating lubed, lead bullets.