bamagreg
.327 Meteor
Woodstock, GA
Posts: 853
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Post by bamagreg on Jul 19, 2021 18:00:24 GMT -5
Ok, let me set the stage. I’ve never cast or sized a bullet in my life. Yesterday I traded for a new Ruger SRH in 480 Ruger and in the deal I got 200 cast (but unsized) bullets, a Lee .476” sizing die (the kind that works with a reloading press) and a bag of brass. I checked the cast diameter of the bullets and they measured .480”. I tried to size one and couldn’t force it through the sizing die. I thought I was going to rip the press off the bench! I think the bullets have been cast for several years. Can these bullets be salvaged or are they a lost cause?
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Post by wheelguns on Jul 19, 2021 18:47:36 GMT -5
Spray a little case lube on them and try again. Sometimes this will work.
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Post by paul105 on Jul 19, 2021 19:38:32 GMT -5
See if the "punch" will slip into the sizer die with no bullet present. It could also be that the "punch" isn't centered in the press ram. I used the wrong punch and about drove myself crazy trying to figure out why the bullet couldn't be sized.
Paul
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Jul 19, 2021 19:59:09 GMT -5
Wheelguns gives you a good suggestion. .004" on a hard cast bullet can be a pain to size. You can throw them in a toaster oven @ 400° for 20 or so minutes, let them air cool, and them run them through the sizer if Wheelguns suggestion is still tough.
If the bullets don't have any lube on them (doesn't sound like it yet) you will need something on them to keep them from leading the sizer die. Back to Wheelguns suggestion....
Even when I size PC'd bullets using a Lee die (it's about all I use anymore), I'll use Hornady OneShot to make them slide on through.
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bamagreg
.327 Meteor
Woodstock, GA
Posts: 853
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Post by bamagreg on Jul 19, 2021 20:09:24 GMT -5
Wheelguns gives you a good suggestion. .004" on a hard cast bullet can be a pain to size. You can throw them in a toaster oven @ 400° for 20 or so minutes, let them air cool, and them run them through the sizer if Wheelguns suggestion is still tough. If the bullets don't have any lube on them (doesn't sound like it yet) you will need something on them to keep them from leading the sizer die. Back to Wheelguns suggestion.... Even when I size PC'd bullets using a Lee die (it's about all I use anymore), I'll use Hornady OneShot to make them slide on through. Thanks everyone. I’ll try those suggestions
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Post by sixshot on Jul 19, 2021 21:07:04 GMT -5
I've mentioned this many times that after you powder coat you better use some Hornady One shot especially if you're using a Star machine to size or you WILL stick a bullet. The other sizers have a bit more leverage but it's still good insurance to use One Shot. If you water quench after sizing you really need to size within an hour or two of quenching or you're asking for trouble.
Dick
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Post by matt56 on Jul 22, 2021 22:10:05 GMT -5
I use imperial sizing die wax, just work the bullet around with some on my fingers.
Pushing cast bullets through a sizing die on a press was an eye opener for bench strength. I thought I had a bench plenty strong, that is until I ripped the corner off it
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