home made sizer dies

[KevinG]

   Oh boy what a topic, I've been experimenting with top punches for a few days and have had  good results,the only reason i'm playing with this is that I really don't like lee's sizer die set or roll lubing, I like all thier other products, but for rifles even with velocitys down below 1400 fps I still get leading in the barrel , been looking for 3/4" rolled stock but haven't gone to a welding supply house because I might find something else I cannot live with out , my Idea would perty much copy rcbs and h&i dies hope they arn't reading this , got a few drills made that mic out .311 diam, going to use these in my 303 brit, when I hand rub the lube into the bullet it just does not get enough lube in the grooves so my thinking is to make the die and force it into the bullet,before anyone suggets why not just buy one .Well I like to have fun and experiment got nothing else to do while i'm laidoff and looking for work. so does anyone got any clever ideas?

[ljutic SS]

   Oh boy what a topic, I've been experimenting with top punches for a few days and have had  good results,the only reason i'm playing with this is that I really don't like lee's sizer die set or roll lubing, I like all thier other products, but for rifles even with velocitys down below 1400 fps I still get leading in the barrel , been looking for 3/4" rolled stock but haven't gone to a welding supply house because I might find something else I cannot live with out , my Idea would perty much copy rcbs and h&i dies hope they arn't reading this , got a few drills made that mic out .311 diam, going to use these in my 303 brit, when I hand rub the lube into the bullet it just does not get enough lube in the grooves so my thinking is to make the die and force it into the bullet,before anyone suggets why not just buy one .Well I like to have fun and experiment got nothing else to do while i'm laidoff and looking for work. so does anyone got any clever ideas?

 

 Kevin, Don't waste your time if you don't have a lathe. You must have a Oring or lube will ooze up the side just makeing a mess, also you will have to use a smaller drill then .311 lets say a N drill which is .302 dia. then bore the bushing to .309-.310 and polish to .311

                                                                                       George

[454PB]

I've been making my own Lyman/RCBS sizing dies for many years, and recently made one for my new Star lubrisizer.

When I made the first few, I made exact copies of the Lyman, but latter found that the O-ring is not necessary. As long as you hold tolerance within .001", they don't leak.

I use mild steel as a stock material, and have even used stainless steel as an experiment.

Yes, the first thing you need is a lathe.

[KevinG]

  Thanks 454pb I'm planning on the same tolerance, of .001", and yes I do have a lathe a unimat, it sure is fun bugger,just found harbor freight has 1/4" carbide tool bits that makes the job a little easier and cooler to the part being worked, I went on a jurney to find some 3/4" or 1" bar stok and evetualy found it at home depot of $12.00 OF A 48" long That was yhe cheapest I've found in my area , other places were 24.00 and up for cold rolled or hot rolled, be picking up some this weekend and going to town, let ya know how it goes.

[454PB]

I "take a walk" at my local scrap dealer a few times each year. You'd be surprised what lathe stock is laying around, and they will usually just give it to you.