Can you open Lee size die from .243 to .269?

[twoworms]

What chance would I have in opening up a Lee Size die from .243 to .267or.268?

Or would I end up with a out of round size die?

Tim

[Junior1942]

Lee will make you a size die in whatever size for $26 including shipping and a free bottle of LLA.

It's east to open one a couple of thousands with emery cloth but much harder to go more than that. Spend the $26. That's only about $12 more than a new die.

[leftiye]

Yep, it can be done. But not with a hand drill or sandpaper. Not trying to be offensive, but you'll need to use something like a lathe and a carbide endmill th open it up round, and then lap the cutter marks out with a lap or sandpaper. Reamers may not be hard enough to do anything in that metal. I'd buy the custom one from Lee. Buffalo Arms wants $40 for opening up lyman dise a few thou.

[jh45gun]

Lee ones are cheap enough even if they make you a custom size why bother your self?

[ben1025]

I.ve opened up 8 or 9 lee sizers. 1, 2 or 3 thousands, not more. I also bought custom dies from Lee. I think that is the way for you to go. The way I open up dies a few thousands is to roll a lead bullet in grit and keep running it thru the die. Turn the bullet a quarter each time. Keep measuring and change bullets if need be. It's my opinion the metal isn't very hard cause it don't take long to open them up. If you do buy a custom die and not sure of the exact size you need, buy one on the small size, as they are easy to open up a few thousands. ben1025

[mtgrs737]

I'll bet Buchshot could make you one, or open up an exsiting die. I'd PM him and ask.

[jonk]

hmm....I"ve considered this myself; but much easier to just go with a .270 die.....it probably won't know that you are running a 269 bullet through it. :-)

[454PB]

The Lee sizers are much softer than Lyman or RCBS. I recently honed one out .003" and it took about 10 minutes. I've done Star, Lyman, and RCBS and all those are much harder. I opened up a Lyman from .356" to .432" and it took a lot longer.