Author Topic: Which size of Lee sizer should I be using for .357 Mag? (Read 544 times)

gar hunter · « **on:** November 27, 2005, 05:03:38 AM »

.357 or .358

The mold I'm using is a Lee 158 gr. (.358) SWC. So I'm assuming .358.

Thanks

Ahab · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2005, 05:05:54 AM »

Tom W. · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2005, 08:37:46 AM »

If it's a plain base, just lube and use as cast.

JPH45 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 27, 2005, 02:38:31 PM »

Sizing for revolvers can be a real PITA. Most important is what size are your cylinder throats? The bullet must fit the throat, but that brings up the problem of what size is your barrel? If your barrel is 358 and your barrel is 357, your in good shape. If your barrel is 360 and your throat is 358, we begin to run into trouble. The only solution is is either have the cylinder throats reamed or use a softer lead that will bump up and fill the groove properly.

It ain't a simple problem and there ain't a simple answer. Find the size of your throats and size to that first. Find the size of your barrel (sluggin is a simple thing, do a search I'm sure it is disscussed and explained) if this does not work satisfactorily for you and cast alloy or have the gun worked on as required.

cbrick · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2005, 05:35:09 PM »

JPH45, is 100% correct. With a revolver the dore diameter isn't nearly as important as the throat diameters unless there is a major mis-match. Each throat should hold a sized bullet and be able to be tapped out with mild pressure from a pencil.

If your 357 is say a Marlin 94 then slug the bore and size .0015 to .002 over bore diameter GC or PB.

Rick