Non-caster question

mav · Post by **mav** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:09 pm

I don't cast bullets and it's not an option right now. Has anyone ever bought unsized bullets and lubed or sized and lubed them yourself?

Here's the skinny. I finally got around to slugging the barrel of my 44 mag 1894CB. It measures .431". The local commercial caster only has .429 and .430 sizing dies. I tried his .430 bullets last summer and the best I could get was 3" at 50 yards. He says the bullets are .433 "as cast".

His alloy is 15BHN. If I tried them unsized, would .433 be too big for my barrel?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:13 pm

No.
That's the perfect size. Lube em and load em.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:51 pm

mav wrote:I don't cast bullets and it's not an option right now. Has anyone ever bought unsized bullets and lubed or sized and lubed them yourself?

Here's the skinny. I finally got around to slugging the barrel of my 44 mag 1894CB. It measures .431". The local commercial caster only has .429 and .430 sizing dies. I tried his .430 bullets last summer and the best I could get was 3" at 50 yards. He says the bullets are .433 "as cast".

His alloy is 15BHN. If I tried them unsized, would .433 be too big for my barrel?

Any insight would be appreciated.

mav,
As Tycer said, .433" is perfect for your .431" barrel. However if you wanted to try something go to the Lee site and check out their press mounted sizing dies. They are reasonable cheep and very easy to use. You can use the Lee Liquid Alox lube, OR pan lube them with regular lube then size them.

I used to cast, but don't have the place to set up where I'm at now. I have bought many hundreds of as cast bullets and sized them myself.
It's easy to do.

Joe

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:18 pm

I just picked up a handi 44 mag and they have a over-bore also .431
I just ordered one of the ranch dog 265 gr lfn gc molds and a .432 sizer to seat the gc's .
his price on the lee sizer is pretty cheap as lee charges extra for a custom sizer.the standard sizer from lee is .429 and .430.

http://www.ranchdogmolds.com/

Purchase - .432" Lube & Size Kit...
$16.50... For sizing and seating gas checks

hope this helps
pete

Dakota7 · Post by **Dakota7** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:52 pm

Montana Bullet Works should be able to fix up with some that will work. They have a number of 44 bullets to select from. Good people and good bullets. http://www.montanabulletworks.com/

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:06 pm

If you can get your local guy to sell those to you as is. Panlube them or liquid alox them and go. Wouldn't worry much about running them in a size die.
I'll also second Dakota 7's suggestion of the Mt bullet works. They'll sell you as cast or sized and lubed , your choice. Good folk and easy to deal with.

mav · Post by **mav** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:02 pm

Tycer,
thanks I'll give them a try. I thought .002" over might be too much.

J Miller,
thanks, I was checking the Lee sizers out. Very inexpensive. I also was researching the Lee Liquid Alox. Do you apply it by hand, immerse the bullets or dip them?

Txpete,
thanks, Ranchdog's price is almost half of Lee's "custom" die price.

Dakota7,
thanks, I checked out their website. Montana Bullet Works does have a tremendous selection.

Don McDowell,
thanks, the local fellow quoted me a pretty good price (today). Plus I can save on the shipping. I've used his bullets for my 32-20 with good results.

Thanks again everyone.

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:09 pm

I know lead has gone up but after checking those prices y'all need to start casting.ouch

.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:18 pm

mav wrote:Tycer,

J Miller,
thanks, I was checking the Lee sizers out. Very inexpensive. I also was researching the Lee Liquid Alox. Do you apply it by hand, immerse the bullets or dip them?

I put the bullets in a Glad or ZipLoc tub, pour in a bit of LLA, snap the lid on tight and then tumble them around. After they are coated good I set them out on wax paper to dry over night.

Joe

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:28 pm

PETE!!!!! You got me! I saw that sig line of yours yesterday and commenced a dedicated and frustrating search for a virus...

You're on my list!

SmokeEater2 · Post by **SmokeEater2** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:28 pm

Griff wrote:PETE!!!!! You got me! I saw that sig line of yours yesterday and commenced a dedicated and frustrating search for a virus...

You're on my list!

[img]http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/ ... flSmileyLJ

.gif[/img]

I feel yer pain Griff. When I scrolled down to that darn bug I smacked the heck outa' my screen.

SmokeEater2 · Post by **SmokeEater2** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:29 pm

J Miller wrote:
mav wrote:Tycer,

J Miller,
thanks, I was checking the Lee sizers out. Very inexpensive. I also was researching the Lee Liquid Alox. Do you apply it by hand, immerse the bullets or dip them?
I put the bullets in a Glad or ZipLoc tub, pour in a bit of LLA, snap the lid on tight and then tumble them around. After they are coated good I set them out on wax paper to dry over night.

Joe

Yup, I took your advice from an earlier thread and did the same thing on the Hornaday bullets. Worked like a charm. Thanks!

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:04 pm

SmokeEater2 wrote:
J Miller wrote:
mav wrote:Tycer,

J Miller,
thanks, I was checking the Lee sizers out. Very inexpensive. I also was researching the Lee Liquid Alox. Do you apply it by hand, immerse the bullets or dip them?
I put the bullets in a Glad or ZipLoc tub, pour in a bit of LLA, snap the lid on tight and then tumble them around. After they are coated good I set them out on wax paper to dry over night.

Joe

Yup, I took your advice from an earlier thread and did the same thing on the Hornaday bullets. Worked like a charm. Thanks!

You're welcome, glad to be of help.

Joe

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:13 pm

Griff wrote:PETE!!!!! You got me! I saw that sig line of yours yesterday and commenced a dedicated and frustrating search for a virus...

You're on my list!

sorry griff but the bug stays!!!.
pete

mav · Post by **mav** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:33 am

Txpete,
That's why I shoot a lot of 22. A brick of decent target shells costs less than 500 of most cast bullets.

J Miller,
Thanks for the tip.

Txpete, et al,
Your little friend would drive my wife crazy. End of summer, early fall we had fruit flies in the house. Took awhile to get rid of them all. She'd probably think there was still one hanging around.

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