1 mold, several sizing dies

[mojavemike1]

Hello..I'm new to the forum and have this question..
I have 5 Mosin Nagant rifles with 5 different bore sizes, ranging from .308 to .314
Is it feasable to have 1 mold, say .316, and then have several sizing dies to cover the different bore sizes ?
Thanks,
Mike

[NVcurmudgeon]

Welcome, Mike. I have a Lyman 314299 which casts .314, perfect for the .3138" groove diameter
.303 British I bought it for. I size boolits from the same mould .312" for a .3115" groove 7.65 mm Argentine, and .310" for a .309" groove .30/40 Krag and a .3085" groove .30/06 Springfield. The "dangers" of excessive sizing seem to have not shown up in these rifles, accuracy in all four is very good to excellent.

[JeffinNZ]

I think you probably have a good idea.

If you want to size down quite a lot however can I suggest you do it in stages. EG: .316 - .314 - .311

One of our members whose handle escapes me just now sizes an 8mm bullet from .324 down to about .318 with good results.

[KCSO]

As long as you size in steps you can take a 323 down to 316 with no problems. I had to do this for my 2 groove 303 and it worked great. I would get a 316 mould and go for it.
Here is where I will give LEE a plug, their push through sizers are perfect for this work and seem to distort the bullet less than the Lyman dies. Needless to say the OLD Lyman dies won't size more than about 2 thou at a step.

[docone31]

I do that with my rifles.
My .30cals, and my .303 British range from finished size of .309, to finished size .314.
The difference is, I paper patch.
In all cases, I size down to .308, wrap and size down to the respective sizes. .309 for my .30s, and .314 for my .303.
If you have a mold that will give you a finshed .314, then it is a simple matter of sizing down to .308 and up. Even sizing that far down, I still have room for lube and the gas check area is intact. I have sized that far with a check in place. Paper patching, I eliminated the gas check as it was an extra expense and the "feathers" from sizing tore some of the patches twisting the tails.
I found that to be a very successful combination.

[lunicy]

It's very doable, but the one weight and shape may not work the best in all the rifles. Each rifle has it's own personality. What shoots real nice in one might make another puke.


BTW welcome to the board

[JeffinNZ]

As long as you size in steps you can take a 323 down to 316 with no problems. I had to do this for my 2 groove 303 and it worked great. I would get a 316 mould and go for it.
Here is where I will give LEE a plug, their push through sizers are perfect for this work and seem to distort the bullet less than the Lyman dies. Needless to say the OLD Lyman dies won't size more than about 2 thou at a step.

Sorry KCSO. I couldn't remember your handle. [smilie=b:

[docone31]

The only issue I have run into with the Lee Push Thru Sizing System, is,
sometimes I get a casting jammed half way into the die. Sometimes it is my fault, sometimes it just happens. The end of the casting getting sized flowers and is waaaay too large to pass through the die. I snapped a toggle on their C-Press doing just that.
I use a brass rod to get it out.
I unscrew the die, tip out the two sized castings into my collection pot, take the brass rod and hammer the mashed boolitt out.
Mind you, I am using dish soap as lube when this happens. Using my BAC, I have had no issues of this nature.
When doing large sizing with this system, I find it good to start the boolitt, stop and relax the push rod, then resume sizing in one stroke. Do not stop half way. That is how I flower my bases.
If you have a press strong enough, you can size the flowered boolitts. What you get however is not worth saveing.
I prefer their system over the others I have used, and for what I do it is par-excellant.
I do large sizing steps with it and it does it well without bending.

[NSP64]

Welcome mojavemike1. If you can't find the right size push through sizer at LEE you can contact Buckshot here on this site. I had him make me a push through sizer for my 270 Win. (.278).:drinks:

[Bloodman14]

Gunnerd, here,
Still new; 2nd post.
I use Lee equip. exclusively, and never had a problem with anything. About using different sizers, I do. My No. 4 Mk 1* 2-groove measures .303 X .316; I size to .308 using 200 gr. boolits; 3/4" at 100 yds. My Mk2 5-groove is .3075 X .318, sized .309 (as cast) similar results.

Lead Forever!