Can you resize Acme coated bullets?

[CQB45ACP]

I’ve asked this of Acme, but haven’t heard back yet. I want to take them from .452” down to .451”.

In another thread I described a problem I was having with Acme .452” 230gr 45ACP coated bullets and two of my 1911 pistols but not one other.

I had decided to just forget the issue and shoot them in that one pistol. And that’s still my decision for the existing loaded cartridges. But it’s eating at me for the future...thus the question.

I don’t want to rehash the other thread or why this and that, just can I resize Acme bullets. Not, does one resize after powder coating a cast bullet, but can I resize an Acme bullet.

Edit: Have now heard...they say yes.

 

[WeekendReloader]

I don't see why not. I size powder coated cast lead bullets all the time.
Plated or jacketed bullets, NO.
Coated lead, YES.

Try a few to confirm the coating holds up.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Yes they resize just fine.

 

[AJC1]

I would expect commercial bullets to be hard so sizing effort may be higher effort than your home cast.

 

[edwardware]

PC and HiTek bullets resize just fine. The coating will survive a bit better if you've polished your sizing die (but you should have done that already). Sizing effort will be lower with just a smidge of whatever case sizing schmooze you've got around.

 

[mcb]

I don't see why not. I size powder coated cast lead bullets all the time.
Plated or jacketed bullets, NO.
Coated lead, YES.

Try a few to confirm the coating holds up.

If you are only resizing them a few thousands you can resize plated and jacketed. I have had good luck sizing .458 diameter jacketed bullets down to .452 for my 450 Bushmaster. Did it in two steps with a .454 die and then a .451 die and they sprang back to .4515 - .4520.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

If you are only resizing them a few thousands you can resize plated and jacketed.

Exactly. X-Treme refers to their plated bullets as "double-struck" meaning they are sized after plating to assure concentricity and consistency in diameter. I've used a Lee sizer on the APP - it takes some effort - the same on my RCBS Partner - a little easier than the APP - and a Lyman 450 Lubrisizer - easy as any other cast - to resize .356" Hi-Tek coated to .355" for my FEG Hi-Power. Works fine but make sure your sizer is polished and use a little case lube - OneShot works fine.

 

[mcb]

Exactly. X-Treme refers to their plated bullets as "double-struck" meaning they are sized after plating to assure concentricity and consistency in diameter. I've used a Lee sizer on the APP - it takes some effort - the same on my RCBS Partner - a little easier than the APP - and a Lyman 450 Lubrisizer - easy as any other cast - to resize .356" Hi-Tek coated to .355" for my FEG Hi-Power. Works fine but make sure your sizer is polished and use a little case lube - OneShot works fine.

When I did the .458 bullets I used a generous amount of Alox lub and RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press. You definitely want a good strong closed arch steel press. I suspect you would break a cast aluminum press or open arch press.

 

[CQB45ACP]

When I did the .458 bullets I used a generous amount of Alox lub and RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press. You definitely want a good strong closed arch steel press. I suspect you would break a cast aluminum press or open arch press.

Now wouldn’t that be ironic...destroy a press for the sake of a few bullets. Maybe I’ll let sleeping dogs lie.

 

[CQB45ACP]

This just in from Acme:

“Yes, you should be able to resize them.”

 

[AK Hunter]

You will have to ask the coyote he in the only one that knows everything Acme. LOL

 

[mcb]

Now wouldn’t that be ironic...destroy a press for the sake of a few bullets. Maybe I’ll let sleeping dogs lie.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Now wouldn’t that be ironic...destroy a press for the sake of a few bullets. Maybe I’ll let sleeping dogs lie.

I think if you're only going down one thousandth - 0.001" +/- 0.0005" - an APP or good D-frame press will do. I didn't break my APP or Partner resizing plated from 0.356" to 0.355" but the APP did have struggle more just because of how I have it mounted. Remember too, my "reloading benches" are bar stools I haul out to the porch when the weather's nice or setup in the living room so my wife and I can be together while still enjoying our respective hobbies or out to the store room to get away from the pets while still get some A/C when it's rainy outside. I'm not using the most stable of mounting systems but it works for the few thousand rounds (of mostly pistol) a year I reload.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I think if you're only going down one thousandth - 0.001" +/- 0.0005" - an APP or good D-frame press will do. I didn't break my APP or Partner resizing plated from 0.356" to 0.355" but the APP did have struggle more just because of how I have it mounted. Remember too, my "reloading benches" are bar stools I haul out to the porch when the weather's nice or setup in the living room so my wife and I can be together while still enjoying our respective hobbies or out to the store room to get away from the pets while still get some A/C when it's rainy outside. I'm not using the most stable of mounting systems but it works for the few thousand rounds (of mostly pistol) a year I reload.

Now that’s a sight...barstool reloading bench. With you I’m not surprised

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Now that’s a sight...barstool reloading bench. With you I’m not surprised

Yessir! I is a iconoclast!

 

[WeekendReloader]

Ok, I guess plated bullets can resize because the copper is bonded to the lead and is only a thin plating. that makes sense to me.

I still prefer not to size jacket bullets due to the lead core 'squishing' down and the thicker copper jacket having some 'rebound'. This can cause the jacket to pull away from the core.

As with anything, YMMV. Sizing 0.001" may not be a big deal.

 

[mdi]

Yes, no big deal. I have sized my PCed bullets .003"-.004" with no damage to coating...

 

[LiveLife]

Remember too, my "reloading benches" are bar stools I haul out to the porch when the weather's nice or setup in the living room so my wife and I can be together ... Yessir! I is a iconoclast!

Now that’s a sight...barstool reloading bench.

GeoDude has his life's priorities correct.

Been married 28 years and when I initially started, I reloaded on 6' and 8' heavy rolling benches in the garage that were built to take the weight of engine blocks. After spending hot 100F+ summer heat reloading alone in the garage for USPSA matches, I built smaller portable castered benches so I can reload anywhere in the house enjoying the comforts of AC and heat or enjoy seeping iced tea with wife in the patio while doing brass prep (I always reloaded alone so I could focus for safety).

What? You don't have a portable reloading bench?

You know, a man's house is his castle and stuff ... Use your "king" powers and build/get yourself a portable bench to enjoy life ... with your significant other "Queen".

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Use your "king" powers and build/get yourself a portable bench to enjoy life ... with your significant other "Queen".

Yessir! and Hallelujah! Mrs. Dude enjoys watching me reload and helps sometimes by keeping my water glass filled. I equally enjoy watching her quilt and helping her do jigsaw puzzles.

Oh, and congrats! We've been married 33 years, this year. We know couples going on 75 years. It's a wonderful thing.