.501 to .496 sizing

[tn_junk]

Looking to size some bullets down from .501 Dia (as thrown from a mould) to .496 Dia. Going to be used for paper patching in a muzzle loader. Is this a one step reduction, or will I need two or three sizing dies in smaller increments?
If that is the case, would I be better just ordering a new mould from a custom maker?
Bullets would be pure lead.

Thanks

alan

[Graybeard]

You can size them that much in one pass thru any of the major brand name bullet lube-sizers. I don't like to as it doesn't leave a lot of lube groove for lube most of the time but since you will be paper patching that's not of much concern so it shouldn't matter. I do not like to size bullets dry if taking them down that far so I'd still want to use lube as it eases the operation especially when taking them down so far. I'm sure it could be done without lube but would put a lot more stress on the equipment and you.

I've taken .45 caliber rifle bullets down to .45 caliber handgun size which is at least as much as you're talking about here. It worked but as I said it sure didn't leave me much for lube grooves.

[tn_junk]

Thank you for the info. As always, very helpful. I'll order a sizing die and give it a try.

alan

[Idaho Ron]

Lets here what you are going to do and what the rifle is. Also what brand of sizer are you going to use?  Ron

[tn_junk]

The mold is a Lee C501-440-RF. The gun is a 209x50 Stainless Encore.
I will order a Lee sizing Die.
I'll let ya'll know how it works.

alan

[Idaho Ron]

PLEASE DO! My barrel is a Green mountain.  It tends to like bullets on the large side. I have been thinking about sizing to .500 or .501 and then do the PP thing.  I have some .500 No excuses bullets I PP'ed and they measure .506 to .507.  I want to give these a try then maybe go from there. The .500, and the .504 NE's never shot that great but the Hornady Great plains shot super.  The top ring on the Hornady is .510 I am thinking that bullets in the .507 range might be a good way to go if I can get them to start down the pipe.  Keep us posted and I will let you know how mine do.  Ron

[Idaho Ron]

I just looked at Lee's web page that is the bullet I want to try as well.  Now I am really interested. Ron

[Idaho Ron]

tn_junk , did you get the sizer?  I am thinking about getting one. Ron

[tn_junk]

Nope, still waiting.
I actually order two. One to size at .496 and another one at .493.
Talked to Lee Precision earlier this week and they basically told me not to hold my breath. Apparently they have been absolutely swamped with orders here lately.
Will definitely be a month or more longer.

alan

[Lead pot]

It's tough to size a bullet .005 with a alloy especially a bullet like yours with out lube grooves in one step using lube sizer. You will end up bending the handle or worse.
It's a tough pull with a Rockchucker and a Lee push through die if the alloy is 1/25 or more, you might get by with 1/30 but you will get some fining at the bullet base. Been there.
I would do it in two steps.
Even Corbin does not recommend going that far in one step with the swage press.

Kurt

[tn_junk]

It's tough to size a bullet .005 with a alloy especially a bullet like yours with out lube grooves in one step using lube sizer. You will end up bending the handle or worse.
It's a tough pull with a Rockchucker and a Lee push through die if the alloy is 1/25 or more, you might get by with 1/30 but you will get some fining at the bullet base. Been there.
I would do it in two steps.
Even Corbin does not recommend going that far in one step with the swage press.

Kurt

I am currently sizing .459 down to .451, in two steps (.456 then .451).
I too am concerned that going from .501 to .496 may be too much. If needed, I will buy another sizing die at .498 or so.
I plan on doing this in pure lead.

alan

[Lead pot]

The problem I mainly had was shaving lead.

Kurt

[Lloyd Smale]

ive taken many 460 bullets down to 452 and 513s down to 500 in one pass on a star and the star is actually one of the weaker sizeing presses and has less leverage then most. I did have to get rid of the stock handle on mine and use a screw driver handle as the handles on the stars tend to bend with even normal use.

[tn_junk]

ive taken many 460 bullets down to 452 and 513s down to 500 in one pass on a star and the star is actually one of the weaker sizeing presses and has less leverage then most. I did have to get rid of the stock handle on mine and use a screw driver handle as the handles on the stars tend to bend with even normal use.

Thanks for the input.
Glad that someone with your level of experience and expertise doesn't think I'm looney-tunes because I'm trying to do this.
(Though I may be looney-tunes for other reasons.)

alan

[Lead pot]

  Lloyd my Star got the Phillips screw driver in the year the 57 Chevy came out  I see them on the tables a lot with a screw driver handle.

I'm not saying that it cant be done, it's just not desirable from the standpoint of good results.

Kurt

[Lloyd Smale]

alot has to do with the point you made about lube groves. It will work fine if you have a deep enough grove. Some bullet desings wont allow for it. Like lbts  and lees with shallow groves. Ive shot one inch groups with 512s sized to 500 so with the right bullet it works fine.

[Idaho Ron]

tn_junk, I have the .501 sizer. I have not poured any of the lee .501's yet. I did run some Lyman great plains bullets through it. I then wrapped them lubed them and ran them through the sizer again. After they came out of that, I took that paper off since it chewed it up a bit and re- wrapped them. Then I lubed them again and sent them through again. After the second time through they look good and they will go down the barrel. I have not shot any yet. It is too cold right now.  Ron

[wgr]

no problem with sizing in one pass i size a .501pp bullet down to .495 and patch it back up to bore size