|
|
Post by woodwright on Jan 3, 2014 23:44:05 GMT -5
I picked up a used set of Lee 44-40 dies off of ebay. I got them a few days ago, and the sizing die is all scratched up inside. Should I try to polish it, or just order a new one?
|
|
|
|
Post by seancass on Jan 4, 2014 0:29:17 GMT -5
Sounds like a good time to call Lee and see what they say. They might just ask you for a shipping address and a few days for delivery!
|
|
|
|
Post by woodwright on Jan 4, 2014 1:35:22 GMT -5
I'll give em a call, thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by curmudgeon on Jan 17, 2014 23:17:47 GMT -5
The scratches are probably spots of brass buildup. close exam under magnication will probably show this, have seen his numerous times. But unless you are an experienced die polisher a new die would be cheaper.
|
|
|
|
Post by bradshaw on Jan 18, 2014 10:32:10 GMT -5
A sizing die on the soft side, such as some old Lyman, scratches easily when grit is on the brass. Some standard sizing dies, such as Redding, are much harder and resist scratching. In the old days, bullseye shooters loaded beaucoup .38 Special without washing or tumbling or wiping brass, scratching the cases immediately on the first past, with frightful scratching continuing in each successive pass. A carbide die resists scratching, forcing the grit into the case, with nickel plated cases showing the most graphic striations. Believe grit imbeds a soft die, so the same grit gets to incise every case that comes along.
.38 Special cases should last a very long time with target loads. Scratches split cases long before pressure alone would retire them. That era of bullseye shooting bore witness to some slovenly loading practices.
And slovenly gunsmithing. Fortunately, the match revolvers from Colt and Smith & Wesson left little or no room for "improvement," thus, were spared the fevered attention of anvil artists. Not so, the dear Colt 1911, which bullseye smiths hammered, hacked, and butchered beyond recognition. Thank the combat shooters for coming to the rescue of the 1911, and proving handsome goes along with reliable and accurate.
David Bradshw
|
|
|
|
Post by dale53 on Jan 19, 2014 0:05:33 GMT -5
I have had nickel cases deposit nickel on the interior of the carbide sizing ring in the sizing die. The "lumps" of nickel seriously scratch cases (bad enoough to shorten their life). A split wooden dowel will hold a few wraps of crocus cloth and when spun with an electric drill will remove the nickel without damage to the carbide ring. This will restore the die to service.
FWIW
Dale53
|
|
|
|
Post by woodwright on Jan 19, 2014 16:27:24 GMT -5
I ended up just ordering a new die body.
|
|
