What Lee Lube & Size kit for Ruger .44 Special?

[tulsamal]

I keep accumulating .44 Specials so it seems like it is time to start doing some bullet casting. I'm down to the accessories. Looking at the Lee Lube & Size kit at Graf's. They make it in both .429 and .430 diameter. My first inclination is to go .430 but it seemed worthwhile to check here. Especially since I can tell you the exact gun, the Ruger Lipsey .44 Special with 5.5" barrel. What size bullet do they seem to be shooting the best?

Thanks,

Gregg

 

[tulsamal]

And what size for an old GI 1911?

Gregg

 

[COR]

My 5 1/2" Lipseys prefer at least .430. I have shot nothing but .430 sized 250 keith style and 200gr RNFP and all were sized at .430. I sized some Keith's at .431 and it didn't make any difference.

That old .45 will probably like .452

.44 - .430

.45- .452

This is what works for me.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I don't load the .45 ACP so have no thoughts there, but the "conventional wisdom" of going 0.001" over the size of a jacketed bullet has worked fine for the couple of .44 Mags I'm familiar with. That says you'd want to get the .430" first.

Of course, you can always slug the barrel, see what you get, then go 0.001" over THAT measurement, and possibly see some improvement. Not guaranteed, though.

Rick C

 

[tulsamal]

Thanks guys!

I'll get this order put together and I'll be ready to try something new. Since I've been reloading for 27 years, that doesn't happen very often!

Gregg