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Thread: Enlarging a Lee Sizer die....

  1. #1
    Boolit Master DanM's Avatar
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    Enlarging a Lee Sizer die....

    How do you enlarge a Lee Sizing die? I want to go from .311 to .312 or .313. I know that I can order a custom, but it seems like emory cloth would do the trick. Just guessing here, but am thinking that emory cloth fastened to a dowel, and spun with a drill would work fine. Could use a fine grit for a bright polish. Seems like it would work if done carefully.....

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master
    454PB's Avatar
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    What you suggest will work, just go slowly and check progress often. It doesn't take long to open a die .001" to .002".

  3. #3
    Boolit Master Maven's Avatar
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    Go to the Castpics site (below) and look for Research & Data and Buckshot's article, "How to Hone a Size Die." Try it, it works!

    http://www.castpics.net

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    Here is the precise link and what a great site.

    http://www.castpics.net/RandD/hone_a_die/hone_a_die.htm

  5. #5
    Boolit Master DanM's Avatar
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    OK, sounds good. Will try that method....

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    Boolit Master
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    Great idea. And so simple one of us cavemen could do it!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Great article, Buckshot! I've been wondering how I was going to open up a die for my Fatter 30. Now I know! Thanks!

    Kevin
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    I cast up some bullets, then coat them with valve grinding compound and size them. You can actually feel the cutting action through the press handle.

    I will coat 3 or so bullets, and run them thorught the die a couple of times each. That is generally good for a couple of .001's. Rinse the die with brake cleaner when you have it where you want.

    Remember, you can't put it back.
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  9. #9
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    ............Opening up a Lee sizer is pretty quickly done as there is only a very narrow sizing ring involved. I'd think it's only about 0.100" wide or so. If you're just wanting a thou or 2 I wouldn't use anything more aggressive then 320.

    ...............Buckshot
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  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    The procedure should work for RCBS and Lyman sizer dies as well, no?

    Kevin
    History will record, with the greatest astonishment, that those who had the most to lose, did the least to prevent its happening.

    The problem with Liberals is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so.

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  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master
    454PB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rvpilot76 View Post
    The procedure should work for RCBS and Lyman sizer dies as well, no?

    Kevin
    Yes, it just takes longer
    You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Thanks. Guess I've got some work to do.

    Kevin
    History will record, with the greatest astonishment, that those who had the most to lose, did the least to prevent its happening.

    The problem with Liberals is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so.

    - Ronald Reagan

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master GhostHawk's Avatar
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    Lee sizer .311, prepare for operation deep throat. Your going up a size girl!

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    What happens down the road when you want to try a diff. bullet and/or experiment with a .311" die, maybe you get a new rifle and it needs a .311" bullet? Just buy the right sizes and you can try diff. things later.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    Good info, thanks. I am going to open 1 of the 2 .309s I some how aquired. Really don't know where the 2nd came from, but I need a .312 so it wins!

  16. #16
    Boolit Master Yodogsandman's Avatar
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    On a Lyman or RCBS die, how do you increase the shaft size?

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master
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    You need a new one, or a lathe.
    You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Yodogsandman View Post
    On a Lyman or RCBS die, how do you increase the shaft size?
    http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/How...Size%20Die.pdf

    it's tough to increase the size of the "I" part of a Lyman H&I die set.

    But as Buckshot said in his article, "Your existing plunger will still be fine in the honed out size die, unless you opened it up several thousandths. Even then it may still work fine, but you'll need to pay more attention to the lube consistency and the amount of pressure you exert on the lube reservoir."
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    I am honing one with 1000 paper because I don't have 600 around.
    Can I tell you that it's quite long to do with 1000, even on a drill at full speed. Probably did more than 2 minutes full speed to gain .0015. (in 5 increments or so, measuring in between).

    With 1000, you really will not oversize without notice. Do it for 20 seconds, then micrometer a boolit, then another 20, micrometer...

    my .451 was actually .4505, .4508, .4510, .4512, .4515, .452.

    But, the finish is mirror smooth and the boolits size MUCH easier than before.

    and now what if I need a .451? well I am screwed :P

    I have 356, 357 and 358, but I didnt feel like buying a .452, really.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    Buy a $2 to $3 gauge pin. They are available in .001 increments.
    You will have to cut it to length.

    Quote Originally Posted by Yodogsandman View Post
    On a Lyman or RCBS die, how do you increase the shaft size?
    EDG

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