First off, please accept my apologies for this, but I used the search engine and found bits and pieces of what I'm wondering about--but nothing really comprehensive and inclusive.
I'm new to casting. First boolits I cast were .358 TL 158SWC and .358 148WC. Using Lee moulds, which I'm happy with, and using the Lee sizer/lube set up, which I'm extremely pleased with. It is simplicity personified.
In the near future, very near, I will be casting for 45 ACP (ball and SWC), 9mm and .380 ACP (.356 as I got through slugging all the barrels to confirm), and 44 special and magnum.
I'm looking at lube/sizers and have pretty much settled on the RCBS Lubamatic based upon having pulled the handle on Lymans, the RCBS and a Star. The Star is the cadillac, no doubt about it and it is currently number two in consideration, BUT . . . here's what I'm wondering.
• Is there a difference (in handgun OR long gun) in accuracy based upon whether you tumble-lube or run your boolits through a sizer/luber?
I got outstanding accuracy with my cast .38 boolits--the lube/size process was with Lee LA and the Lee sizer. Will a mounted size/luber do any better or any worse?
• I've read in many places where "hard lube is for shipping and storing, tumble lube is for shooting." I have exactly zero opinion on that--even moreso now that I've entered the boolit-casting world and have attained good results with tumble lube boolits (my own) as well as "hard-lube" boolits (a good caster I know and trust).
* Is speed the primary advantage of a mounted lube/sizer setup? With the LLA, you do have to wait for the lube to "dry" or set up before sizing--and then sometimes I'll tumble lube then one more time before boxing them up.
• Other than applying the lube, will an RCBS or Star or Lyman do anything to the bullet that the Lee sizing die will not?
• Is one type of set up better than the other for certain calibers or applications?/
Thanks for the info, and hopefully I can put it all together in one inclusive, comprehensive package and it will give me a lot to think about.
Jeff