Resizing lead bullets

[Rule3]

I have another thread going on the 7.62 Tokarev caliber trying to find reasonable priced bullets for range blasting
This question is on sizing lead bullets. ( I do not cast bullets)

Can a 32 caliber hard cast lead bullet that is .312-.313 be sized down to .308 or is that to much of a squeeze? (where does the lead go, does it make the bullet a fraction longer?
Will a Lee sizing die work for this??

Only bullets I have sized on some lead 45 caliber 230 gr lead after I powder coated them so it was just a tiny bit.

other thread:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/7-62-tokarev-bullets.905638/

Thanks

 

[reddog81]

.004 is definitely possible, but it's at the edge of what I like to do.

In my experiences .001 - .003 is ideal. It's easy and the bullets aren't really noticeably deformed at all.

.004 - .005 is doable but it can take a lot of leverage on the press if the bullets are very hard. At this point you will start to see the lube grooves getting smeared and will probably see a little tail of lead on the rear of the bullet.

More than .006 is possible but the bullet will be noticeably deformed. I believe it is recomended to go down in steps if doing large changes in diameter.

If they recommend .308 for jacketed bullets you'll probably want .309 for lead.

 

[AJC1]

Depending on the application .308 is way to far. In a bolt .310 is fine and in levers sometimes larger is better. Going down .002 is easy if you can even find that sizer, Lee dies .309 and .311. If those are your options I would test .311 first.

 

[noelf2]

Problem with lead is leading the barrel. Tok ammo is up there in velocity, and not sure you could slow it down enough to reduce leading and still have proper cycling. Would be an interesting experiment. I still have about 750 rounds of surplus 7.62x25. After that I will put in the 9mm barrel and shoot that. Probably never get around to loading 7.62x25.

 

[gwpercle]

The more you size a cast bullet down ... the harder it is to work the handle of the sizer .
.312" sized down to .308" is honestly going to put a strain on your press .
I've cast & sized for 50 years and use a lube/sizer machine to do the job . It's made to size bullets and .002" is about all I like to try to do ... it puts a lot of stress on the sizer's linkage and handle ... they are hard to force into the sizing die and hard to force out .
Sizing .004" distorts the bullet ... it will get longer and crimp and lube grooves might be pressed nearly flat .
Have a Hell For Stout press with a compound linkage and long handle to get the job done .
A Lee Hand Press isn't going to do it .
I always try to cast a bullet within .001" - ,0015" of the sized diameter ... I will buy a inexpensive Lee 2 cavity Mould or buy a custom mould that cast to the size I need ... lifes too short to struggle with sizers trying to make something out of the wrong sized bullet and damaging your sizer .
Give it a go but be careful and don't damage your equiptment ...they go in hard and come out just as hard...
it puts a lot of stress on your tool .
Gary

 

[243winxb]

Lyman has said sizing down more then .003" may hurt accuracy.

Normal for me to size more to get to .430" from .435"

My Saeco molds drop to large in 38, 44 for my liking. Sizing with Lyman 450.

 

[Rule3]

Thanks for the replies

Guess that shoots that idea
Didn't really think it is was feasible.

 

[Bazoo]

The problem with sizing down that much isn’t the force required, it’s deforming the bullet too much. When you size a bullet, it squeezes its diameter and it gets longer. The driving bands get thicker and the grease grooves narrower. If .310 will chamber, it’d likely be the best compromise.

Spray some hornady one shot on the bullets before sizing and it’ll help a lot.

 

[243winxb]

Will a Lee sizing die work for this??

Yes. Lube with Lee Alox, size, lube again.

The size of the die doesnt always produce the marked size. Harder alloys spring back more.

 

[AJC1]

Harder alloys spring back more.

I was curious about this but haven't proved it to myself yet....

 

[Varminterror]

.312’s to .308’s, two steps, Lee push through die. No sweat. May have to re-pass the second/final size for harder bullets. Yes, the bullets get a tiny bit longer, by nature.

 

[243winxb]

I was curious about this but haven't proved it to myself yet....

Me to. So i test. Spring back can be from .0005" to about .001" Depending on alloy.

My Lyman .357" marked H&I die always produce a sized bullet diameter of .3575" Matched my barrels groove diameter perfectly.

Till one day, my standard loading produced leading. My investigation lead to a change in alloy, more soft lead in the pot. After sizing, less spring back. Undersize bullets.
The 357 die is now modified to size closer to .358" The standard for a 357 magnum.

 

[AJC1]

Me to. So i test. Spring back can be from .0005" to about .001" Depending on alloy.

My Lyman .357" marked H&I die always produce a sized bullet diameter of .3575" Matched my barrels groove diameter perfectly.

Till one day, my standard loading produced leading. My investigation lead to a change in alloy, more soft lead in the pot. After sizing, less spring back. Undersize bullets.
The 357 die is now modified to size closer to .358" The standard for a 357 magnum.

I was hoping for some type of graph in the 5th iteration of the Lyman casting manual. We deserve fresh material and data for our hard earned cash...

 

[mdi]

When sizing lead bullets the metal is not removed, just moved, toward the base. . For a .004" reduction the lube and crimp grooves will get smaller and there may be flashing on the base. I've sized up to .005" in one pass, but I believe I lost several to "bent"/distorted bullets...

 

[Walkalong]

.312’s to .308’s, two steps, Lee push through die. No sweat. May have to re-pass the second/final size for harder bullets. Yes, the bullets get a tiny bit longer, by nature.

Was going to suggest that, have to do it with necks sometimes.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I shoot .311” bullets in all my .30’s.
If a .311” loaded in a case will readily chamber, it’ll work.
I’m using the Lee .311”-93gr 2R Round nose bullet. I’ve shimmed the molds to throw a .314” bullet. I Use them powder coated with Harbor Freight powder coat and sized to .311” in .30Carbine. At 2,000fps they don’t lead and are more accurate than FMJ jacketed factory ammo.