Newbie - sizing dies

[22lover]

I am buying sizing dies for 380, 9X19, 38spc, and 45acp... My equipment preference is Lee, so I'm going with those.

Here's my newbie question:

For 380 and 9X19, I can use .356 for both, correct? Or can I get by with the .357 below?

For 38spc, I use .357, correct? Or can I get by with the .356 above?

For 45acp, I use .452, correct?

Thanks!

[Willbird]

This is going to depend on your guns. Some semi will only function with a certain dia bullet. A good friend has a 1911 that will not tolerate .452 for example, the loaded rounds are too big to chamber.

The old school thought was to use bullets .001 larger than groove dia, thus .452 for 45 acp, .358 for 38/357 and .356 for 9x19.

I definitely would not use .356 in the 357

Bill

[22lover]

Thanks Willbird! In order to figure this out re: .452, for example, do I simply use calipers to measure the ID of the barrel? The gun in question is a Colt Commander.

[454PB]

You need to slug the barrel. Clean it, lube it, then drive a slightly oversized soft lead slug through the barrel using a brass rod and small hammer. Measure the slug, then size the boolits a minimum of .001" larger than the measured bore diameter. In some cases, a .002" boolit will work if the seated boolit chambers freely.

[Willbird]

Finding out what the gun will operate with is a matter of TRYING some rounds. My pals gun is the only supposedly factory 45 acp that I have heard of that will not run .452's. I can send you a few .452 and you can load some rounds and try them if you like. I have either a .355 or a .356 sizer die too and I can send you a few of those too.

Bill