Cast some .50 cal bullets that won't chamber - have to take apart or can be resized?

[the count]

I just started casting my own bullets. Did not have size any caliber so far but at the range some of my S&W 500 Magnum rounds would not chamber. So I am ordering a Lee sizer but my question is, do I have to take the rounds apart to size those bullets or can I push the entire round through the sizer...kinda like the Lee factory crimp die?

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Cast bullets must be sized before loading if they are too big. I run all of mine through the sizer anyway.

Have you measured the diameter of a few of them? Pull a few and check them make sure its not something else going on. If they are too big i would pull them.

Those 500 Smiths are known for tight chamers.

 

[Reefinmike]

Only the lee tumble lube design bullets can be used without sizing first. I assume because they have very little bearing surface that pressures aren't high with even oversized bullets.

You absolutely should be sizing all bullets down to a consistent diameter. especially when you are dealing with 50k+psi!!!!!!!!! If you run those loaded rounds through your sizer die(sans decap pin), you will lose every bit of neck tension on that bullet and can pull the bullets out with your fingers if there isn't a crimp. I know because I have pulled a few large batches of 38spl and 45acp this way. I dont recommend doing this to pull the 500's because the carbide ring is very thin and likely to crack with the monster round. Don't use a impact hammer bullet puller either because there is a good chance you will just rip the rim off the case- especially if the bullets are that oversized. The 500's take a lot of effort to pull. Grip the bullet very well with a pair of cutters and use your press to pull the round. If you used a gas check, good chance the gas check will still be in the case. Push the case through the sizing die(without the decapping pin) to squeeze down the gas check. It will fall out when you tip the case upside down.


How are you doing these bullets?
hitek or powder coat? Alox tumble lube? Pan lube?

 

[the count]

How are you doing these bullets?
hitek or powder coat? Alox tumble lube? Pan lube?

Alox tumble lube.... I would say I had problems with 40% of these Lee 440 grain flat nose bullets. Just ordered a sizer and will run all future bullets through it. Strangely, I started casting .45 and 44 mag. at the same time as the .50 and did not have a single oversized bullet one with those calibers... ?

(or maybe some calibers are more forgiving than others)

 

[Reefinmike]

(or maybe some chambers are more forgiving than others)

fixed it for ya

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Alox tumble lube.... I would say I had problems with 40% of these Lee 440 grain flat nose bullets. Just ordered a sizer and will run all future bullets through it. Strangely, I started casting .45 and 44 mag. at the same time as the .50 and did not have a single oversized bullet one with those calibers... ?

(or maybe some calibers are more forgiving than others)

Your using a harder mixture right? Water dropping?

Some bullets shrink more some drop out of the mold different. Size is subject to mold, mixture and procedure.

If they are a little big, sizing them before they harden even more, might be your best bet.

I powdercoat my rounds. Not as easy as tumble lube but less smoke than lube and less lead issues. If you get into powdercoating let me know. I have a few tips. And check out castboolits.gunloads.com for tons of info and great guys. Even sources for molds, lead, powdercoat, dies, etc.

 

[the count]

"Your using a harder mixture right? Water dropping?"

That would be affirmative. Besides the Lee sizer I also ordered the Lee collet crimp die - now I'm cooking with oil

 

[Curator]

I run all my .500 cast bullets through the .501 Lee push-through sizing die withing an hour or so of casting. Using a hard alloy is necessary with .500 S&W chamber pressures, so sizing before the bullets attain full hardness makes the chore a bit easier. I run them through my lubrisizer (using a .501" sizing die) and seat gas checks before loading. Since I am shooting these in a T/C Encore, not a revolver, I don't have the need to crimp the bullets in the case. I ALWAYS do a "plunk test" on my reloads before making up a large number of them. Pulling bullets to salvage brass and powder is one of the least fun reloading tasks.