Sizing questions and PC

[Dancing Bear]

Been casting for 25 some years now but new (as in not done any yet) to PC'ing.
Started casting 45 cal for my 450 Bushmaster and 50 cal muzzleloader recently. Lee mold specs at .452 but as cast bullets mic out at .454.

My question is should I size before pc'ing and then again after?

Just as an experiment I did size a few as cast without any lube and they did mic at .452.
Am I going to have die leading issues?
In the past I always tumbled lubed before sizing.

[Rapier]

I PC, then size to the exact groove diameter, using case lube. I have found that it is important for the bullets to slide in the die. For my ARs I use a hard alloy, shake and bake, using a hardware cloth box, plain base bullets set nose down, no GC. I use 1680 in my 358 at around 2,500 fps.

[BNE]

No need to pre-size. If you are happy with 0.452" then just size them AFTER powder coating. It might give a little resistance, but if it is too much a little (And I mean a little) lube is all you need. I will get a little lube o my fingers and then start picking the bullets up and sizing.

PCing should make your life easier. If it does not, you are doing something wrong!!

BNE

[farmerjim]

I find a small shot of Hornady one shot cuts the effort to size PC'ed boolits by over 50%. Same for pistol cases in carbide dies.

[Walter Laich]

my PC and sizing happne one right after the other. As the bullets are still warm they go through the Lee push-through sizer without any problems.

I'm using a Lee Classic Cast single stage mounted upside down. really speeds up the sizing process

[Hick]

I have have one mold I use for two different caliber-- so for one of them I need to size before PC. I size dry so that the bullet will PC best-- and yes dry sizing does eventually lead up the sizer. Its somewhat of a nuisance, but I put up with it because good bare lead takes PC best.

[Cast10]

I PC first, let them cool a bit, 90-ish, then run thru the sizer while they’re still warm/soft.

I sometimes spray the inside of the sizer die with Case Lube.

[Dancing Bear]

Thanks all. Wil hopefully do my first batch this week.

[Smoke4320]

If your as cast and coated bullet is within .003 to .004 over the desired finish size size after coating.
If over .004 I would size first (with no lube) then pc then final size

[beemer]

I have a couple molds that have a tight gas check shank, they are hard to seat after PCing. I size and install the check and PCing turns out the right diameter. I polished my Lee sizer and don't seem to have any leading issues. Either way sizing doesn't to hurt the PC.

[mehavey]

If over .004 I would size first (with no lube) then pc then final size

I regularly size the 459 (as cast #2 Alloy) Accurate 46-340LG 330 (Gould Clone)
down to .454" and install GC at same time -- using RCBS Case Lube

I then boil the lube off with a dash of added Simple Green, Dry (225° oven/10-min), and Shake/Bake w/o any issue
(30-secs using Extreme Chrome and AirSoft BBs).

After PC, size to .452 for the BushMaster *



* I found I was galling the bullet rather badly in that first ).005" sizing unless I used Lube. RCBS being water soluble was ideal.

[Dancing Bear]

If your as cast and coated bullet is within .003 to .004 over the desired finish size size after coating.
If over .004 I would size first (with no lube) then pc then final size

Thanks, so I should be gtg with as cast being .002" over and pc adding another .002"?

[charlie b]

I try to size .002" less than finish dia, then PC, then size at desired dia.

One reason I like the NOE sizing system is I can get bushings for whatever dia I need at a low cost.