another dumb question about size

[ddeaton]

Is there a chart somewhere with a range of sized diameters for various calibers other than the loading manuals for cast? I dont have the Lyman manual yet, got to get it.
I am starting a spreadsheet for what I am casting for now. I need to get a few more sizing dies from Lathesmith and want to get it right. I know rifle calibers vary with the individual rifle and need to be slugged, but I want to get a couple sizes to be in range for a few rifles and pistols.

357/38 pistol, will be runnging through a Marlin lever
9mm pistol
45 Long Colt, pistol and maybe lever later on
308 rifle
223 rifle

[opentop]

From the lyman manual.

This list thier avalible sizing dies. They still recomend slugging your bore.

357/38-.357, 358, .359, .360
9mm-.354, .355, ..356
45 long colt- Only one listed. pre WWII and .445 Webley .454
308 rifle-.308, .309, .310
223 rifle-.224, .225

Thats just from the lyman manual.

Mic the cylinder throats on you 45 colt. Mine mic at .452 and thats what I'm sizing to.

I have several molds for 38 and 45 colt. If you want to see samples, just let me know.

[EDK]

You might want to do some research on your MARLIN...check out RANCH DOG's site. He has a specific boolit for the 35s, but it has to be loaded in 38 brass or the carrier on the rifle altered...or both. Unfortunately he doesn't have a design for 45 long colt leverguns. Go over to marlinowners.com also.

The conventional wisdom (LOL!) on the MARLINS is they need a hard and heavy gas check boolit of .359 or larger diameter in the 357s....same situation with the 44s...At least with the micro-groove rifling.

I have used LYMAN 358665 and 358156, sized to 359, LARS' 50/50 blend and now B-A-C, in my 24 inch 357 Cowboy and VAQUEROS....got the Ranch Dog mould, but haven't done much with it yet.

The MARLIN 357 in any model is a very desirable firearm to own. You don't see many used ones...and d--- few new ones getting dusty in the sales rack!

:Fire::cbpour::redneck:

[Bret4207]

For your 308 I'd pick up a .310 or .311 die, for the 223 a .225 die. 9MM can be tricky but a .358 should do it. The 45 I'd go with at least a .453 if not larger. The 38/357- If a Colt .358 if a S+W .360. I'm a believer in not sizing if I don't have to. "As cast" boolits often shoot much better for me. I picked up on this from an ancient article by Al Miller in a Handloader mag from the early 70's IIRC. It works and with Lee Liquid Alox (Mule Snot) or Johnsons Paste Wax you can "tumble lube" any boolit. At moderate velocity they work fine.