" $ $ Lube - Size on a Budget $ $"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dale53

Btwiceborn;
It works just as well with pistol bullets as it does with rifle bullets.

If your bullets are sized correctly when they fall from the mould, then just use them that way. It is actually a superior method than sizing. Most of the precision Schuetzen riflemen use "as cast" bullets and they shoot groups at 200 yards that will amaze you (and with plain base bullets and single shot rifles). I'm talking of ten shot groups under 1"...

Dale53

---

Dale53,
WOW. That sort of accuracy is awesome!! Sounds like i better hurry up and finish my heavy barrelled, single shot, .308 Omark44 project. At present i cast the RCBS 180FP (#82014) which shoots great out of my M98 Mauser. The mould drops .310 so i shoot em as cast. I get about half an inch at 50yds with them seated 10 thou off the lands. I love this mould and think it will shoot even better in my Omark once finished. I find it interesting that you say its more superior to shoot em as cast? I can understand the say .310 may be better than .309, but i thought by sizing them it would make them more round/concentric? But who cares if you can get 10 shot 1/2 MOA accuracy!!! Any thoughts??
Thanks BB03 :cbpour::cbpour::cbpour::cbpour:

bullbarrel033;
A bullet will NEVER be more perfect than when it falls from the mould. We size bullets to make them fit the particular weapon we are using. Commercial moulds have to be made to fit all models of guns of that particular caliber as much as possible. The only way to do that is to cast them oversize, then size them. However, sizing can only damage a bullet (understand it is NECESSARY to size the bullet as "fit is everything").

Schuetzen shooters use custom moulds made to cast a bullet to a specific size within .001" with a specific lead bullet alloy. Changing alloys changes the size of the bullet as cast. So, first you have to know the exact size that you need. Then you need to know EXACTLY what alloy you will be using. Then, the custom bullet mould maker can deliver. THOSE "as cast" bullets then must be cast as nearly perfect as humanly possible. When everything is done right, then loaded in a GREAT rifle, with a GREAT shooter, then you get this:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...tonsTarget.jpg

This target was shot by Jim Borton. He has since done better in competition. The group size (10 shots at 200 yards benchrest) is .707". Jim has shot a number of perfect scores at 200 yards in competition at the ASSRA Nationals.

Dale53

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dale53

bullbarrel033;
A bullet will NEVER be more perfect than when it falls from the mould. We size bullets to make them fit the particular weapon we are using. Commercial moulds have to be made to fit all models of guns of that particular caliber as much as possible. The only way to do that is to cast them oversize, then size them. However, sizing can only damage a bullet (understand it is NECESSARY to size the bullet as "fit is everything").

Schuetzen shooters use custom moulds made to cast a bullet to a specific size within .001" with a specific lead bullet alloy. Changing alloys changes the size of the bullet as cast. So, first you have to know the exact size that you need. Then you need to know EXACTLY what alloy you will be using. Then, the custom bullet mould maker can deliver. THOSE "as cast" bullets then must be cast as nearly perfect as humanly possible. When everything is done right, then loaded in a GREAT rifle, with a GREAT shooter, then you get this:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...tonsTarget.jpg

This target was shot by Jim Borton. He has since done better in competition. The group size (10 shots at 200 yards benchrest) is .707". Jim has shot a number of perfect scores at 200 yards in competition at the ASSRA Nationals.

Dale53

---

Thanks Dale53!
Thats Amazing! I assume that you slug your barrels to obtain an ideal size to size to? I am a bit rusty on the process, but its one thing i want to learn!!
As you say fit is everything!
Thanks again Dale!!!! :bigsmyl2::bigsmyl2:

Thanks ben for a great low buget way to lube but don't you have to lube the bullet before you size it, I'm new to this casting thing so any insight on sizing and lubing will be greatly appreciated thanks, Terry

Tag :

That's a good question. I failed to mention that I usually take a " dab " of wheel bearing grease and keep it handy when pushing cast bullets through sizing dies.

Simply wipe a thin film on " every other one " and push them through the sizer.
If your bullets are .003 " or more larger than the sizing die, you may need to lube every bullet ? ? ? It is much quicker than it sounds like it is.

Works for me , real well.

Thanks,

Ben

This has been one great posting with pictures to match. Accolades to all those who added to it. I first started using a Lee Pan Lube Kit in 1970 and before that year was up I bought my first Star. I still use a Star for all my cowboy rounds. I do however enjoy the pure form of pan lubing and do so with all my large 45-70 bullets. Buckshot makes very nice Kate Cutters for about $20 or so and makes it easy for these hands to make good bullets. Again My fellow casters A JOB WELL DONE!!

I found that a 3 quart crock pot works good for hold and melting lube.
:bigsmyl2:

Simply outstanding explanation.

TornMonkey

Thank you....I hope you found it beneficial.
If you've never tried it, please do try it.

Best to you ,

Ben

I enjoyed reading your post. I have used Lee Boolit sizers for years. I have not found it neccessary to use a lubasizer. I have both the original Lee Boolit sizers and the current sizers. I once used a friend's lubasizer but I found that the simple Lee Boolit sizers were more concentric when sizing the boolits. The only lubasizer that matched the concentricity was the expensive Star lubasizer.[smilie=s::lovebooli:castmine:

BWelch47 :

Based on my own experiences, I find that very easy to believe.

Ben

I used to just hold the bullet in one hand, and a stick of hard graphite Lyman lube in the other hand, and go around the bullet, mashing the lip of the lube into the lube groove in the bullet, then ran the bullets thru a Lyman 310 tool die, using a mallet. :-) circa 1969, I was 17

New on here..Great Post!! Thanks!

Welcome ! !

Ben

I have never been able to push bullets out of the lube cake no matter how hard I try.

The cookie cutter approach is fine, however I consistently have issues with the gas checks falling off and staying in the lube.

I do this for some PB muzzleloader bullets and black powder loads now, but otherwise not so much.

Still a well presented article, do what works for you.

Here I figured I would add my 2 bits. 1st I am going to make that cutter with the nail. I use a 30-30 case but I drilled it out and use a dowel rod.
Your way is better.

Here is how I tackled the lube melt.
Keep an eye out for these toaster oven at the Goodwill ect. Got this one for One whole whopping dollar. And it works better than any thing else I have tried. Heating the bullet along with the lube seems to help it stick in the groove better. I had a issue just pouring melted lube onto cold bullets.
This works better.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d6...5/100_8048.jpg

Next: Why does LEE not sell a .310 sizer????? Stupid thats the one main size you want.
Can some one post a how to for reaming them out to .310?

maybe im just braingasing but what would a person use as a cake cutter for a .224 boolit?
i would think a propperly sized old rabbit ears radio or tv antena would make a great multi boolit cutter tube

I bought an induction stove about 1 1/2 years ago and with that no need for a double boiler. Not only does it boil water faster than a gas or electric is also has so low of heat range that it makes the double boiler method obsolete. Now the only draw back is you pots/pans much allow a magnet to stick to it other wise they don't work. Oh and my other hobby is cooking.

Littlewolf :

You'd use a FIRED , .22 center fire cartridge case. It should easily fit over a sized .224 or .225 " dia. bullet.

Thanks for the information :)

I think Lee did make a .310 sizing die at one point. I have one, but for all I know somebody ordered it from them special or it was a group buy (when we used to use Lee). I've opened a few up, both with the sandpaper method outlined above or had them opened up with a lathe.

I think that the Lee (and Star, etc) is a superior way to size. However, probably 99% of my sized boolits get mashed thru a traditional sizer, for simplicities sake. For sizing/lubing truly concentric boolits, the method mentioned above is about perfect....just slow for high volume shooting.

ive seen lyman lube sizers on ebay for 50 bucks. But a used one and if you find out you don't like casting its pretty easy to get your 50 bucks back.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lloyd Smale

ive seen lyman lube sizers on ebay for 50 bucks. But a used one and if you find out you don't like casting its pretty easy to get your 50 bucks back.

---

I've seen them start at $50. Most end up selling for between $80 and $100. Been trying to pick one up for a couple of months.

Right now Midway has the RCBS for $143. Most of the USED ones on eBay are $150 and up. One guy is selling new ones for $229.

I used to do the pan lube. I start with the pan full of bullets, Pour in melted lube to cover as much of te bullet as needed. Afte I cut the bullets out I would just set more bullets in the same holes. Then use a hair dryer to remelt the lube around the bullets. After a few sets of bullets I might have to add more lube. I just cut slivers of lube and dropped around bullets when melting the lube around the bullets.
Now since I found how good LLA I don't pan lube any more.
I often use my cast bullets a cast. The LLA is very easy to use. I plastic tub, pour in some bullets, add a few drops of lube shake around till all are coated. Don't use to much lube, just enough to tell there is some. Pour out on wax paper to dry.
If I want to size I use Lee's push through dies. Opening up a too small Lee die isn't to hard just go slow. It's not hard to get too big.
Leo