Mold too big

[MessybearII]

Hi guys
I did a search but didn't find anything. I have an aluminum mold that drops a bullet .003-.004" over size diameter. Takes a lot of effort and is hard on the sizer.
Any way to coat it with something and make it cast smaller?
Thanks

[405grain]

I have read somewhere on this forum that you can shoot the cavity's on a bullet mold with some spray on high temp engine paint and that will help reduce the bullet's diameter. You have to mask off the face of the mold blocks so that only the cavities get coated. I have never done this, and have only read about it, so either search this site or the internet to see if you can get more information before you try it.

Alternative, you could try sizing down in steps; First size down around no more than .002", then size again afterwards to the finished diameter.

[Soundguy]

size down in .001 increments.. Lee size bushings are 13$

[Dusty Bannister]

In order to prevent the lube grooves from collapsing, lube and size first in the appropriate size die. Then you can size smaller without as much damage to the casting. spray on case lube might allow easier sizing. If powder coating, you do not want to apply case sizing lube.

[Michael J. Spangler]

Spray a little Dillon (lanolin and isopropyl) or similar case lube on the bullets before sizing. It makes even oversized slide through like water.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Cast hotter, frosty hotter, they'll be about .001 smaller.
Also,
if you use a alloy with a low amount of antimony, they'll be a little smaller yet.

[45DUDE]

I like mine a little over. They are round when sized.

[Soundguy]

softer alloys in general shrink more.

[mehavey]

003-.004" over size....

No big deal....
As mentioned above (credit MJS & Soundguy):

- Use a Lee push-through sizing die (naturally centers the sizing action)
- Spray the bullets with sizing lube to near eliminate excess force(I suggest Hornady 1-Shot)

[deces]

Cast hotter, frosty hotter, they'll be about .001 smaller.
Also,
if you use a alloy with a low amount of antimony, they'll be a little smaller yet.

Sage advice right here.

[MessybearII]

Thanks guys
All good ideas. I should have mentioned that these are powder coated so lube is out.
Normally I'm not worried about sizing this much but bent handles and wear and tear are the main concerns.
I have found as was mentioned- hot makes smaller.
But what has really helped is just a tiny bit of spit on the bullets. They just size so easily with that.
I'm hoping it doesn't hinder the powder coat in some way. Ya never know what kinda of stuff comes from my mouth

[Soundguy]

You can always lube them with alcohol lanolin, and then give them an acetone bath

[Michael J. Spangler]

Thanks guys
All good ideas. I should have mentioned that these are powder coated so lube is out.
Normally I'm not worried about sizing this much but bent handles and wear and tear are the main concerns.
I have found as was mentioned- hot makes smaller.
But what has really helped is just a tiny bit of spit on the bullets. They just size so easily with that.
I'm hoping it doesn't hinder the powder coat in some way. Ya never know what kinda of stuff comes from my mouth

Just use a lube that doesn’t react with your paint type.
I lube my hi-tek coated when they’re larger and harder.

What alloy are you using? If they’re that hard to size you might go softer and not have an issue.

[mehavey]

these are powder coated so lube is out.....

Not to worry,
Just boil them and pour off the water --
(I do it all the time with commercially-lubed bullets I want to PC instead)

[405grain]

You can use dish washing detergent as a lube when sizing bullets. Just put some Dawn (or other) dish washing detergent on a folded up paper towel and use it as a lube pad. Once the bullets are sized the "lube" washes right off with just some water. It works equally as well with powder coated and bare "as cast" bullets.

[jsizemore]

Try sizing ASAP from the PC oven.

[Soundguy]

You can use dish washing detergent as a lube when sizing bullets. Just put some Dawn (or other) dish washing detergent on a folded up paper towel and use it as a lube pad. Once the bullets are sized the "lube" washes right off with just some water. It works equally as well with powder coated and bare "as cast" bullets.

I've done that with the non foaming, dawn..as mentioned..works good..washes off..and removes any oils that it accidentally touched anyway.... from there after a water rinse, you can give them a dip in a wire basket into a 90% alcohol/ acetone bath, then dump out..they dry in minutes..no water..no oils. Keep your rinse bath capped or the acetone makes it flash faster.
ps..even cheap Ajax/ dollar tree soap works..just not the foaming kind.