Lee Sizing Dies

[prickett]

I just tested my Lee sizing dies and they all seem to be sizing to .001 less than the label says (I tested my .356, .357, and .358 dies). Have you seen this behavior?

Also, do they need to be periodically cleaned to remove leading? I do lube the bullets prior to their being sized.

[DLCTEX]

Springback occurs and varies depending on the alloy. Leading should be visible just as it is in a barrel. If you are using hard alloy, or water dropping the boolits, you may need to open the die a small amount to get the dia. you want.

[Buckshot]

I really do not know how the various manufacturers decide on their die sizing. As was mentioned alloy hardness will have an effect on ultimate diameter. Also the larger in OD the boolit is will also affect 'as sized' OD. The die diameters you mention should not add or subract a thousandth (.001") from the die's stated size with any common alloy.

..............Buckshot

[Colorado4wheel]

My Lee dies all did that as well. One of them was .002" undersize.

[Maven]

Not at all difficult to lap out a Lee sizing die .001" - .002". Go to Castpics at the bottom center of your screen, then look for the index/menu on the left side of the home page. Look at Research & Data, open it and go to Buckshot's article on honing a sizing die. His method works perfectly!

[Shiloh]

Like Maven said, It's an easy job to open them up a bit.

SHiloh

[Rex]

My .358 die makes the bullets .357, however that size fits my cylinder throats the best so I leave it alone.
Rex