Poor RCBS LAM2 results

[prickett]

I'm trying to adjust my new RCBS LAM2 and am so far having no luck. When I size and lube, I get lube squirting up onto the bullet's ogive (picture 1). I'd think this is because I'm pushing my bullet too deep into the sizing die. But, I've adjusted the press to it's absolute minimum depth (picture 2). Also, I noticed that the crimp groove immediately flows into the start of the ogive, so, if the seating depth isn't PERFECT, the squirted lube will happen. The bullet is a Lee 452-200-RF.

There is a gap between the nut that holds the sizing die in (die is a Lyman .452"). Is that normal (picture 3)?

Another problem is that the size and lubed bullet is about 50% exposed at the end of the upstroke. Is that normal (picture 4)?

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[9.3X62AL]

That Lyman die might be slightly overlength. Do you have other dies that allow the retaining nut to be screwed down completely? That is the ideal situation, but isn't an absolute necessity--as long there is sufficient thread engagement to guard against strip-out in service.

You can try a small spacer centered on the head of the ejector pin's T-head to push the die's center pin up higher. I use a spent primer for this application, and they last for 50-75 boolits before collapsing/crushing.

[cheese1566]

Unscrew the adjusting stem and turn it upside down-so the knurled sections are on top of the casting. This will give you a little more upward adjustment for short bullets.
24830

I believe the die nut has a gap, at least my RCBS LAM 1 does, and others have spoke about it in the past. I worried about leakage there so I put a fat O-ring on it. It rotted off and I found it didn't leak anyway. Just be sure to remember the gap and not try to screw down all the way. Snug is fine.

[Mk42gunner]

I've got a .258" Lyman die in my RCBS LAM right now. It has the same gap as your third picture. I have found that adjusting the insertion depth, while still getting the lube groove filled can be quite a balancing act sometimes, and the instructions aren't any too clear on how to do it.

One of the ways I came up with to stop lubing the ogive excessively is to not run as much pressure on the lube resevoir. I use a screwdriver handle instead of a ratchet on my pressure screw, and with difficult boolits I usually give it a slight twist every other boolit or so.


Hope this helps,

Robert

[shootinxd]

Thanks Cheese,I thought I was doing something wrong.Your idea worked.

[prickett]

Unscrew the adjusting stem and turn it upside down-so the knurled sections are on top of the casting. This will give you a little more upward adjustment for short bullets.

I believe the die nut has a gap, at least my RCBS LAM 1 does, and others have spoke about it in the past. I worried about leakage there so I put a fat O-ring on it. It rotted off and I found it didn't leak anyway. Just be sure to remember the gap and not try to screw down all the way. Snug is fine.

Excellent suggestion Cheese!!!! Worked like a charm. My results are 100% better.

Thanks everyone for the help!

[Dale53]

Looking at this thread brought to mind how much MORE helpful it is to have good pictures as the OP has done. That made diagnosis and cure available - don't believe it would have happened without the excellent pictures.

FWIW
Dale53

[Maven]

Excellent suggestions, and as Dale suggested, the pics really are worth 1,000 words!

[prickett]

Thanks for the kind words in addition to the brilliant suggestions/tips!!!!!

[semtav]

Altho not directly related, I've been having problems with some bullets not wanting to lube the grooves, but try to push the bullet up.
reading this post and reversing the rod made me realize all I needed to do was get the bullet down far enough to line up the grooves with thesizer holes.

[whitetailsniper]

cheese 1566 is absolutly correct, i have the same press,the same mold,and i did the same as he suggested,worked like a charme for me.

[cheese1566]

Thanks guys!

I don't do extensive rifle, but have found it serves all my needs. I can do short pistol bullets up to my Lee 30 cal 160 grainers with room to spare. Plus it is easier to get at on top of the casting.

[monadnock#5]

A belated thank you to prickett and cheese1566 for finally solving the riddle for me. I was out of town for a while and didn't find time to make the modification, and lube some boolits until last night. To say the least, THANK YOU. Now I can finally use my LAM2 as I had originally intended, for pistol boolits, while leaving the 450 set up for rifle. It's a beautiful thing when a plan finally comes together![smilie=w:

[MaxJon]

Hi all, thinkin of buying one of these sizers. Is there a way you can size nose first with long rifle bullets?? Or is it a base first only deal??
Any advice appreciated!!!
BB03

[sleeper1428]

I ran into this same problem with my Lyman 450 but I solved it in a slightly different manner. Follow this thread to see my solution:

http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?p=552103&highlight=sleeper1428#post552103

Of course in doing it this way you have to have a metal lathe available - or a friend who has one and can do the machining required - but once you have this item made, it's very simple to just screw it down onto the upper threaded part of the Lyman adjustment sleeve and go to work. No hassle with getting the knurled nut off and refitting it on the upper part of the sleeve.

Obviously this was done for a Lyman 450 and not an RCBS unit but I'd be willing to bet it would work fine for the RCBS.

sleeper1428

[Echo]

Hi all, thinkin of buying one of these sizers. Is there a way you can size nose first with long rifle bullets?? Or is it a base first only deal??
Any advice appreciated!!!
BB03

Well - anything is possible, but it would be more of a problem than most would want to address. Base-first works OK...