sizing

[mrblue]

So I plan on purcashing a lee mold for a .30. The size is listed as .309. WIll this be safe to load wihtout sizing it, as i first will measure the load to see if it does cast to .309 and will also pan lube it.

[GaryN]

You not only need to measure the boolit after casting it to see what it is, you need to slug your barrel to see what it needs. Remember, every gun is a law unto itself. With some of the different sized guns I have seen I alway start by slugging the barrel first.

[runfiverun]

measure several of them.
they sell sizers for a reason.

[nhrifle]

You shouldn't have any problem with that unless it is undersize for the bore then you might get some leading. I load .314 boolits in my 1903A3 Springfield for target shooting. The lead is soft enough that it will draw down to bore diameter without issue.

[tenx]

when i started loading 30 carbine (long ago) i sized .308. it worked and not knowing any better i was happy. later i went to .309 and have wound up sizing them to .310 now. works out better, more accurate for me and less sizing/distortation on the bullet. everything is a little different for everbody and what works for one dosen't allways work for another. play around with it, find out what works for you. it's a process and a learning curve.

[MtGun44]

For rifles, the sweet spot usually works out to about .002 or .003 larger than groove diameter.

Bill

[williamwaco]

The mold will likely drop .312 to .313 .309 is the "nominal" size.

You didn't mention the cartridge but if it is a .30 caliber, size .310 or .311.