Size of shot to use to plug Lyman size die holes?

[prs]

I set-up to lubesize a very nice lot of Lee 452-230-TC traditional lube boolits (1 shallow wide groove) last night. My Lyman 450 was set to lube Lyman 452460SWC (two generous grooves). I knew I was goofing-up, but tried to set the depth just so the top holes of the 452" die would feed the single Lee groove. Ya, how did that go? Not too good. lol

So, I resolved to do it right. I forgot what size shot was to be used to block the lower row of holes. I got a few 8s, a few 7 1/2s, a few 7s, and a few 6s. I figured the 7 1/2 was what I have read about and forgotten. But even the 7s were too small. Actually the 6s were kind of loose. Should I have used 5s, I have some copper plated 5. Is it #4? Anyway. I did run 200 with the size 6 shot in the holes and did not notice too much mess. The beveled bases (I wish they were plane based) got a little tacky, at least none erupted up and over the noses.

What is the "official" recommended shot size to securely block the holes?

prs

[MT Chambers]

You don't fill the holes on Lyman type dies, the die "stem", when adjusted properly, does that for you!

[Muddydogs]

#4 works great

[downwind]

I've used rolled up aluminum foil

Make it any "custom" size you want.

Works great!!!!

HOPE THIS HELPS
DOWNWIND

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I use solid wire solder.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?166565-Lyman-45-buying-guide-and-cleanup-instructions&p=1864430&viewfull=1#post1864430

[geargnasher]

Dang Jon, I thought I was alone on that thought! Not having anything else that was close, I nip tin plumber's solder bits about 3/16" long and peen them into the holes. Leaving a tiny bit of rivet head proud of the holes lets you pry them out easily with a pocket knife later, just make sure they're flush enough to drop into the sizer.

Gear

[1hole]

As MT says, do it "right" and properly adjust the bullet depth stop.

[chboats]

1hole and MT, what if you have a long boolit with 4 lube groves but you only want to fill the bottom 2. If the bullet depth stop is set to fill the bottom 2 the top half of the boolit is not sized. So like gear I used pieces of solder to fill the holes.

Carl

[montana_charlie]

1hole and MT, what if you have a long boolit with 4 lube groves but you only want to fill the bottom 2. If the bullet depth stop is set to fill the bottom 2 the top half of the boolit is not sized.
If you adjust to let that bullet go deep in the die, the top portion of the bullet blocks the lube holes just like the pushrod blocks holes down below.

CM

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Dang Jon, I thought I was alone on that thought!
I got that thought from you, I even gave you credit in that linked post ;)

[geargnasher]

Oh! :oops: Must have been a long time ago, I don't remember even posting about that trick. I'm glad you did, though, it works great for me and maybe others have picked up on it by reading your excellent Lyman 45 tutorial.

Gear

[MT Chambers]

I wish the topic of plugging holes on the STAR dies never came up, now people think they have to plug holes in everything.