Bullet lubricating and sizing question

[David LaPell]

I am looking at getting into the finer art of casting bullets and had a sizing question. Both my Smith Outdoorsman and 27-2 had their barrels slugged and both are .356. I want a Lyman mold #358429 but those are in .358. How hard will it be do size them down to .357? Do I just get the .357 sizer? I am new to this part of reloading so I am getting all the ducks in a row before I jump in.

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

Oh, that's easy. I use the same mold for my BH. Sizing down .001 is real easy. I have some bullets I size down a touch more than .002, and even .003. You need a .357 sizing die. Did you slug your cylinder throats?

 

[GP100man]

David a couple of .001" over is the norm , If they`ll chamber freely shoot em as big as they`ll chamber

Hopefully the throats are 357-358 , that would be perfect !!!


Also when sizing the harder the boolit & the more ya go down with it the more pressure it takes !

 

[Flash]

Resizing a hunk of lead doen't take near the force required to resize brass cases so to answer your question, resizing a cast bullet down .001 will be very easy. You'll actually chuckle when you see how easy it will be. If you're only casting for one caliber, I'd recomend a Lee sizing/lubricating kit. It comes with the die, lube and instructions. The lube in it's present state is way too thick but after thinning with mineral spirits to a consistency of orange juice, it will be just right.
Good Luck

 

[sixshot]

Always shoot a few of them as is first, then go from there. When you size down .001" you are only sizing 1/2 thousandths per size, you can almost do that with your teeth! It is normal for a cast slug to be anywhere from .002" to even .005" oversize, A little bit of sizing also "true's" up a slug that might be slightly out of round.
When using a 357 sizer die don't be surprised to see a little bit of spring back when the bullet comes out of the die, that is it might measure .3575", no problem.

Dick

 

[David LaPell]

Well, checked the cylinder throats as best I could on both my Outdoorsman and 27-2 (I need to order some plug gauges) but a .357 diameter bullet dropped right through while the .358 didn't, so I guess I will stick with .358 moulds and sizer dies when I get them ordered.

 

[GAR]

Best thing about sizing them is you can taylor the diameter to the weapon. It can be very surprising how much .001" of diameter can make a group shrink.

I guess I am very lucky with the molds that I use. Most of them cast within .001 to .0015 in actual diameter of what size that I order.

Tom

 

[mikld]

Try some of your .358" bullets first. You may not need to size them. I have read of using lead bullets that were .004" - .005" over groove diameter with out any problems. A .358" bullet is perfect for a .358"cylinder throat.