Sizing Question

[dsh1106]

I purchased a Lyman 450 & a few sizing dies from the S&S section a while back. Yesterday I final got around to finishing up some 270 bullets that were cast a while back.


Do sizing dies wear out ??? After sizing these bullets, they appear to be "bent" and the profile has changed.

The bullet styles are:
280473
280468

Maybe my alloy was just too soft ???

[mongoose33]

Several thoughts come to mind:

1. Bullet is too large to be easily sized so you're squishing it.

2. Alloy is too soft.

3. Top punch isn't the correct punch or the bullet isn't aligned correctly when starting it into the sizing die.

[tazman]

+1 on what mongoose33 said

[bhn22]

It's pretty easy to bend small diameter cast bullets when sizing. You need to watch the bullet as you size it to determine where things are going wrong.

[Ole Joe Clarke]

Were the bullets hard to size? The correct size cast bullets don't take much effort to size and lube.

[dsh1106]

Several thoughts come to mind:
1. Bullet is too large to be easily sized so you're squishing it.
2. Alloy is too soft.
3. Top punch isn't the correct punch or the bullet isn't aligned correctly when starting it into the sizing die.

1 - Bullets measure .282 - 283 as cast, I'm sizing to .278.
2 - I believe it is a mix of 40% rim fire, 30% handgun and 30% rifle.
3 - Top punch is correct for the mold/bullet, I will have to look at the alignment and see if I can spot anything that might be off.

Thanks
Scott


Were the bullets hard to size? The correct size cast bullets don't take much effort to size and lube.

The first bullet seams to take more effort than the ones that follow. I'm using TAC1 lube (un-heated)

Thanks
Scott

[dsh1106]

the bullet isn't aligned correctly when starting it into the sizing die.

I just went and looked, the ram has approximately .050 - 060 movement total in the upper position and .030 - .040 at the bottom position.

From what I'm seeing, between the ram movement (wobble) and not using a heater on the lube and possible the alloy being the softer side:

The longer bullet (280473), the nose is squishing/bending
The shorter bullet (280468) the lube grooves are collapsing


I guess its time for a newer lube-sizer and possibly a heater, at least for the long skinny bullets.

Thanks
Scott

[Hang Fire]

Many have experienced the same thing, especially with the base first sizing dies. Try the Lee nose first dies, one corrected my 6.5 Cruise missile bending problem for me.

[dsh1106]

Many have experienced the same thing, especially with the base first sizing dies. Try the Lee nose first dies, one corrected my 6.5 Cruise missile bending problem for me.


Do you lube the bullets prior to using the "push through" sizing die?

[pworley1]

You might try the Lee nose first or try using a 280 step between the 283 and the 278.

[mongoose33]

1 - Bullets measure .282 - 283 as cast, I'm sizing to .278.

Just getting that started in the die is probably difficult.


2 - I believe it is a mix of 40% rim fire, 30% handgun and 30% rifle.

If it was jacketed bullets you melted down, my guess is it's very soft. There is no standard of which I'm aware that would allow us to determine the composition of such a mix.


3 - Top punch is correct for the mold/bullet, I will have to look at the alignment and see if I can spot anything that might be off.


Think of it this way--if when seating a bullet you start it off-axis from the neck, it will "tilt" in the casemouth. That's called bullet runout, and if you don't have it straight, it affects accuracy.

Same with this--if the boolit is off-axis when you start, you're likely to bend it.

I also think your allow is likely very soft, which when coupled with the other issues, makes it tough to size these.


You can try a Lee push-through die; just fill the grooves by hand w/ your lube (thumb it in there) and the sizing die will smooth it out. But I think much of the answer is in the alloy.