Lee sizing dies

[xxclaro]

I need to order Lee sizing and lube kits for my .45 and 9mm. I want to make sure I order the right ones. I know .45acp usually uses .452, but for the 9mm, I can only find .356 and up. I don't have a micrometer yet,so I can't slug the bore,but isn't a 9mm usually .355? Is it okay to size .001 over? I've heard it reduces leading to shoot a bit big, but will it cause problems for chambereing? I was really hoping to be able to shoot as cast,but both molds throw a bit too big to chamber. These dies are provong very difficult to find here,so Iwant to make sure I get it right the first time.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Hullo XXclaro, yes usually a .452 works in 45acp. 9mm usually are .356, most folks use sizers for .001-.002 over bore diameter in all calibers to help seal the bore.

The only way to know what is best for your guns, is to slug the BBL, if they are semi-autos and the cylinder throats and BBL if they are revolvers.

If you are going to buy before you slug, I would try .452 and .357. IMHO

Good luck.

[Nora]

Do you have a dial caliper with your reloading gear? If so use that to measure them with. If not, you should be able to get a descent one for around $20-25. Or if you want to slug the bores and send me the slugs I will measure them for you. PM me if you are interested.

Nora

[xxclaro]

I do indeed have a dial caliper, I'll give it a try.

[d_striker]

One of my 9mm barrels is actually .354". The other is .355"

[StarMetal]

One of my 9mm barrels is .3535. My Walther P 38 has the fattest groove. I can't recall what my Browning Hi Power mics at, but it's not fat.

Joe

[Cloudpeak]

Three of my 9mm's slugged .356 and I size to .357"

Cloudpeak

[Leftoverdj]

For 9mm, .357 is a fairly safe bet. I normally size to .358, and have only once needed smaller, but if it turns out that you need .358, it's a very simple matter to open a Lee sizer up a thou or two.

[GrizzLeeBear]

I highly recommend slugging the bore on both of them, but especially the 9mm. They can be anywhere from .355 to .358. An undersize boolit in the 9mm is a sure recipe for leading. Size your boolits .001 - .002 over bore dia.

A quality dial caliper will do 99%+ of anything you need to measure for casting and reloading.

[cptkeybrd]

what do you use for slugging a barrell

[Nora]

what do you use for slugging a barrell

I use boolit shaped, pure lead fishing weights, or a pure lead air cooled cast boolit. Make sure to put a thin coat of oil in the barrel before pushing them threw. That will make the job easier and less likely to distort the slug and lead the barrel.

Nora

[cubflyer75]

what do you use for slugging a barrell

split shot sinker assortments are perfect for this. Be sure to clean and oil bore prior to slugging.

[cubflyer75]

yeah, what he said... :)

[cptkeybrd]

I use boolit shaped, pure lead fishing weights, or a pure lead air cooled cast boolit. Make sure to put a thin coat of oil in the barrel before pushing them threw. That will make the job easier and less likely to distort the slug and lead the barrel.

Nora

Thanks for that how much bigger than bore can it be? Don't wanna get it stuck. :-/

[snaggdit]

Thanks for that how much bigger than bore can it be? Don't wanna get it stuck. :-/

Several thou over should be fine with pure lead sinkers or boolits. Once you get it started in the barrel (after applying a light coat of oil to the barrel) it will not get stuck. It will quickly begin to travel fairly easy. The most sizing occurs right at the beginning. Also, if your gun is amenable (bolt, etc), slugging from action end is preferrable but muzzle is fine too.