sizing down 44 to 41 cal

[TybrneRyan]

Has anyone ever tried sizing down a 44 (.432) to 41 (.410) diameter? I've read somewhere that the H&G #503 has the same size meplat as the H&G #258.

[btroj]

Can it be done? Yes. Not in one pass, need a few intermediate steps.

Lube it first or the lube groove will largely disappear.

Would I do it? Nope. Better to just buy the right mould up front. Anything other than a Lee push thru isn't going to like that much sizing down.

[gray wolf]

Can it be done? Yes. Not in one pass, need a few intermediate steps.

Lube it first or the lube groove will largely disappear.

Would I do it? Nope. Better to just buy the right mould up front. Anything other than a Lee push thru isn't going to like that much sizing down.
YUP good advise.

[fredj338]

I would call it a bridge too far. You are not likely to have much lube groove left & a lot of base flash. It would certainly have to be done in two steps. I have taken 0.458" bullet down to 0.452" & that was a stretch IMO.

[TybrneRyan]

Thank you all for the info. I forgot about the reduction of the lube groove. I won't even bother with trying. Thanks again!

[MtGun44]

If you fill the groove with lube, it will stay there, no problem. Just going to take
some steps, but I agree that getting the right mold is WAY better.

Bill

[mdi]

Even hard lead is soft enough to swage down a cylinder .020", but you'll want to do it in steps for the sake of your equipment (unless you have a good swaging press). I think most of the lube groove will remain, but that also depends on original bullet design; how deep the groove is to start, and .010" on each side isn't a lot. I read somewhere (?) that the more that is swaged from a bullet diameter, the greater loss of accuracy, but I have no first hand knowledge. But, I too, think another mold of the proper caliber is called for...