How large is "Too large" to size down?

[Pinsnscrews]

Looking at other options for my 10mm and notice there are some 200-230gr SWC designs in 41mag (.410) that I would love to try. What I am wondering is if .410 is too large to size down to .401

Thank you in advance!

(PS: I am looking at having a couple of those .410 SWC designs sized down to a .401 sizing and having a custom mold made, but that is about $100+/-50 down the road)

[Artful]

I've seen 8mm (.324) sized down to .314 - so it should be do able
- just remember fill the lube grooves first and take it in small steps/stages.

here's a link to an older discussion
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?18487-Maximum-you-can-size-a-cast-boolit

.460 to .452 in this thread
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?231903-Can-you-size-459-boolits-down-to-452-amp-454-diameter

[sigep1764]

I size my 9mm boolits that drop 360-361 down to 358. Can be a little tough on the down stroke with the Lyman 4500. I'd do it with a couple of dies sizing down to 402 in two stages if you wanna be easy on your sizer.

[HATCH]

I have sized down coated makarov boolits from .366 to .358

[lotech]

Even sizing in steps, going that far may reduce lube groove depth to the point of being ineffective, not to mention any effect on accuracy. Nevertheless, it's certainly worth trying. May work fine.

[DeanWinchester]

Lotech is right, its certainly doable but you may loose a considerable amount of lube groove.

[Newtire]

Looking at other options for my 10mm and notice there are some 200-230gr SWC designs in 41mag (.410) that I would love to try. What I am wondering is if .410 is too large to size down to .401

Thank you in advance!
(PS: I am looking at having a couple of those .410 SWC designs sized down to a .401 sizing and having a custom mold made, but that is about $100+/-50 down the road) If anyone knows a good way to do this, would appreciate knowing how myself. I have sized .325" Lee wheelweight boolits down to .314" and used to use these in my Mosin-Nagant with great accuracy. First filled the lube grooves with Felix Lube.

However, tried sizing .268" Lyman Loverin 140 grainers down to .265" and got a smooth sided boolit with almost no lube grooves remaining. Somehow a proportional limit comes to mind?

[Calamity Jake]

I've sized a .326 down to .315 for an oversize mosin, just gas check and fill the lube grooves first.

[Walter Laich]

Even sizing in steps, going that far may reduce lube groove depth to the point of being ineffective, not to mention any effect on accuracy. Nevertheless, it's certainly worth trying. May work fine.
+1
Condition of or lack of groove depth is my guide line for down sized

[W.R.Buchanan]

If you size in .003 increments it will work just fine. You are going to lose some Lube groove depth however in this case going from .410 to.401 we are talking about .004-5 per side, so I don't really see this as a big deal.

The kicker is going in small enough steps so you don't get deformation of the boolit. If you tried to go all at once it would definitely distort the shape of the boolit.

You can resize Jacketed bullets the same way but once again you can only go in small steps or you distort the shape of the bullet.

Also sizing nose first is preferable. That way you don't bend the boolits.

Not so much of a concern on short fat boolits but on long skinny ones it does happen.

Randy

[blackthorn]

Here is a question for those who have successfully completed a radical downsizing. Do the bullets grow in length? If so, how much?

[GLL]

These were sized down to 0.452" for my .45Colt carbine. Bruce's molds produce very round bullets so that may be a plus ! :)

http://www.fototime.com/6F2288BE4B37A76/standard.jpg

Jerry

[foxtrapper]

.401-230 FNGC
6 Cavity bullet mold.
Diameter: .401
Weight: 230 grains lubed and checked
Nose to crimp: .380
Meplat: .290
Profile: FN / Flat nose
Base: GC
Overall Length: .725 with gas check
Nose diameter < .398 for ease of chambering in revolvers

Applications: Designed for the 38-40 WCF and will fit in the 401 GNR, 401 Powermag, .401 Bobcat and may find applicable to the 40 S&W, 10MM and 10MM magnum. The bullet shank is a "stepped" gas check shank which allows the gas check to "snap" onto the shank and give the check a recess to grab onto. It also serves to hold more lube. It is designed for GATOR gas checks with the .380 shank diameter.
Available Qty: 19
Price: $125.00
Quantity: *


.401-200 LMNGC
6 Cavity bullet mold.
Diameter: .401
Weight: 200 grains lubed and checked
Nose to crimp: .410
Meplat: .268
Profile: LMN / Long medium nose
Base: GC
Overall Length: .675 with gas check
Nose diameter < .398 for ease of chambering in revolvers

Applications: Designed for the 38-40 WCF and will fit in the 401 GNR, 401 Powermag, .401 Bobcat and may find applicable to the 40 S&W, 10MM and 10MM magnum. The bullet shank is a "stepped" gas check shank which allows the gas check to "snap" onto the shank and give the check a recess to grab onto. It also serves to hold more lube. It is designed for GATOR gas checks with the .380 shank diameter.
Available Qty: 20
Price: $125.00
Quantity: *

[Calamity Jake]

Here is a question for those who have successfully completed a radical downsizing. Do the bullets grow in length? If so, how much?

If the lube grooves are filled first then yes they will grow, how much depends amount of down sizing.
The .326's I sized to .315 grew about .004-.005
there also was a small bit of flashing around the base, it scratched off with a finger nail.

[Green Lizzard]

i size down the 200 gr 35 cal to 350 for my 348 win, about .008, also size the .381 lee 38-55 bullet to .369 (its hard) for paper patch. need good lube on that one even in two steps, first one is .379

[Pinsnscrews]

.401-230 FNGC
6 Cavity bullet mold.
Diameter: .401
Weight: 230 grains lubed and checked
Nose to crimp: .380
Meplat: .290
Profile: FN / Flat nose
Base: GC
Overall Length: .725 with gas check
Nose diameter < .398 for ease of chambering in revolvers

Applications: Designed for the 38-40 WCF and will fit in the 401 GNR, 401 Powermag, .401 Bobcat and may find applicable to the 40 S&W, 10MM and 10MM magnum. The bullet shank is a "stepped" gas check shank which allows the gas check to "snap" onto the shank and give the check a recess to grab onto. It also serves to hold more lube. It is designed for GATOR gas checks with the .380 shank diameter.
Available Qty: 19
Price: $125.00
Quantity: *


.401-200 LMNGC
6 Cavity bullet mold.
Diameter: .401
Weight: 200 grains lubed and checked
Nose to crimp: .410
Meplat: .268
Profile: LMN / Long medium nose
Base: GC
Overall Length: .675 with gas check
Nose diameter < .398 for ease of chambering in revolvers

Applications: Designed for the 38-40 WCF and will fit in the 401 GNR, 401 Powermag, .401 Bobcat and may find applicable to the 40 S&W, 10MM and 10MM magnum. The bullet shank is a "stepped" gas check shank which allows the gas check to "snap" onto the shank and give the check a recess to grab onto. It also serves to hold more lube. It is designed for GATOR gas checks with the .380 shank diameter.
Available Qty: 20
Price: $125.00
Quantity: *

Foxtrapper, I am looking more for a SWC design for clean holes in paper. But thank you for providing that mold information.

[Harter66]

Lee has a 6C 401-175 SWC I've run in an XD40. Mine drops 403.

[Pinsnscrews]

Artful sent me a copy of the Ideal 401-452 200gr SWC meant for the 38-40 It is listed as a "Keith Style", with a pronounced shoulder. Something I found lacking in the RCBS and Lee SWC for the .401 caliber.

I sent Artful a reply and hope he will give me some casting lessons (I haven't cast yet) using that mold. If they work well in my 1911, I will look into getting a copy made for myself from one of our awesome vendors.

[Mtnfolk75]

OK, another question along this line that pertains to all copper and not boolits ..... :mrgreen:

I have 120 Barnes .357 110 Grain DPX & 100 Barnes .357 140 Grain DPX bullets. Is it advisable to try and shoot as-is or try & size down to .355 to shoot through a Glock 32 chambered in .357 Sig ? I cautiously await opinions ........

[Mtnfolk75]

No Opinions or Experiences .........:(