This is my first official question for all you experienced casters. The problem I am having is, the bottom edge of my cast bullets have a rim of lead on them after sizing. this ganges from a small ring that runs all the way around the bullet, to a lip that protrudes from the base approximately 1/8 inch. My question is kind of a two parter. First, Is this common? Second, What is the best way to remove this lip?


Dakota Sharp Shooter

Dakota, you anywhere near Homestead?

Answer 1: Not common that I know of. I've been doing cast for 30 years and have not seen what you describe.

Answer 2: It shouldn't be there to begin with, so not sure how to answer that.

It would help if you give us a little more info, like what mould you're using, what sizer, sizes, etc.

At first I thought you were describing base finning in the mould, then understood that it came out of the sizer that way. Rather odd. It's not a hollow base mould, it it? sundog

I guess it WOULD help if I gave you the specifics. :rolleyes:

Mould= Lee Double Cavity .429, 200 grain, RNFP

Sizer= Lee push through sizer .427

These are being cast for 44-40's, I have slugged the barrels, and all 6 of my firearms can use the .427's with no problems.

I am using liquid Alox bullet lube.

Don't live very close to Homestead, I live in Tamarac

Sounds like you need either a reducing die or a mold designed for the .44-40. Reducing dies are available from the bullet swadge companies such as RCE in Arizona. Lyman makes at least one mold specificly for the .44-40. a reducing die is not terribly expencive and will last beyond our lifetimes.

Morning William,
Supposedly the mould from Lee is specificly for the 44-40, however; due to the large variation in bore sizes, they make the diameter .429. Most 44-40 moulds are .428 to .430. I have never incountered a reducer die, can you tell me how to get ahold of the company you mentioned? I know that it is pealing the lead off the sides of the bullet, which causes the little skirt, but had no idea how to avoid it.

Thanks,
Dakota Sharp Shooter

I cast and lube the same .44 WCF bullet using other equipment and have not seen this problem working with wheel weight alloy. Are you using pure lead? If there is too much of a size difference between the bullet and the sizer die, a soft alloy could be redistributed around the base of the bullet forming a slight cup. A bulge at the base of the bullet would indicate the bullet is not passing completely through the sizer die. That's my best guesstimate. Hope some of it is right.

Dss, Have you ever tried seating this bullet unsized in the case and seeing if it will chamber? The .44-40 case is a bit fragile you might want to expand the neck with a .429" neck expander from a .44 Magnum die set. Some modern rifles, and more than a few old ones have a generous throat diameter. It might be worth a look.

RCE is at www.rceco.com

also, You can log onto Yahoo groups, search for Bullet smithing. This is a group run by Charles Hamilton on bullet swedgeing. RCE is a regular contibutor on the group.

You must join the group in order to look at the past posts but you can choose either no e-mail or the Daily digest function and they will not overwhelm you with posts from this group.

Marshal,
I have used wheel wieghts and plumbers lead (almost pure) with the same results. I think if I could find a .427 or .428 mould, that would cure the problem. I have thought about trying different equipment (sizer) but am a little to thrifty (cheap) to spend that much money on a sizer unless I am positive it will do the job.

William,
Yes I have seated the .429 bullet. They seat just fine, but will not load into my wifes revolvers very easily. If I go over the .427, her round has to be pushed ito her cylinders. I do not have that problem with mine, but I shoot Rugers and shee shoots Colt Clones (one Cimmaron and one AMA). The AMA gives us the most problem, but the .427's are easier to load in the Cimmaron also.I could have the revolver cylinders worked, or I can fix the problem I am having with casting :)

DSS, I cast a .428" .44 WCF 200 gr. RNFP bullet from wheel weight and 3% tin. I size it .428" also. Seems to work well in my Cimarron Model P and my '92 Armi San Marco/Dixie Gun Works rifle. I never had the problem that you described. If you have to really force your bullets thru the sizer, that may be part of your problem.

Yup, the .429 is a little big. They have to be pushed through pretty hard. Where did you get your .428 mould. that is what I would have liked to buy, but Lee only had a .429. The bullets do work quite well after I clean the skirt off of them. I am currently using them in 2 Ruger Vaquaros, the 2 Colt Clones, a Rossi 92, and a Euroarms Model 73. The .427 sized bullet funtions flawlessly in all of the above. the .429's worked in my Rugers and in both the rifles. I believe a .428 would be the ticket for everything.

My .44 WCF mould is the 200 gr. RNFP Lyman cowboy action mould #427666 bevel base. It is cut to cast a .428 bullet. Other makers also offer moulds for the .44 WCF. You just have to make sure the specs are for .44 WCF or .44-40 otherwise you are getting a mould for .44 Special/Magnum. Now that you've told us that it takes a lot of force to size your bullets, I can see why. Your bullet is being squeezed through the sizer die and the excess alloy is being redistributed around the base. Something like when a copper alloy pellet is being extruded to form a bullet jacket. Hope a new mould cures your problem. Reload safely and shoot straight!

Ok, I need a new mould :( Got any ideas on cleaning up the ones I got till I can replace the mould I got?

Do you have an RCBS or Lyman sizer? Simply using a .428 sizer die in that may solve your problem. I have been using that bullet (Lee 429-200-RF) for 2 1/2 years now and really like it. I'm shooting it in a 44 Mag so little help to you and your problem, of course the overall problem is too much size reduction in one pass.

I use the Lee Push through sizer.

What about a another Lee resizer in .428? (not sure if they make that size with out looking).

Michael Grace

There's a couple of things I'm wondering about. This shouldn't happen unless friction is too high. Are your bullets lubed when you size them? The die may be rough and dragging on the sides of the bullet even if it is lubed. Is the punch that forces the bullet through the die a tight fit? If it isn't, it leaves room for the lead to get past it.

Lyman and RCBS dies are interchangeable, but the general opinion is that RCBS makes the stronger sizer, but Lyman dies are smoother. I noticed that my .358" Lyman die got smoother after sizing several hundred bullets.

Try oiling a few bullets and sizing them. I've oiled bullets for sizing prior to heat treating them by rolling them on a pad soaked with 3-In-1 oil. It made a real difference in the effort needed for sizing and it's hardly a super lube.

Bye
Jack

Mornin' Mgrace,

I have tried to find a .428 Lee mould and a .428 sizing die. They do not seem to have one. I have not called them. It would be a lot easier (and cheaper :D ) to stick with the Lee stuff, but I really want to solve the problem I have. It is a real pain to clean up the bottom of almost ever bullet that I size. Oh by the way, I have been using 600 grit sand paper to take this little skirt off.

Dakota Sharp Shooter

Mornin' Jack,

I use the Alox lube prior to sizing. It is the only liquid lube I have found. It is also recommended by Lee. I have followed there instructions to the letter, and still have this problem. I really believe that it is being caused by to much of a reduction during the sizing process. I have cast over 3000 rounds like this. I will let you know as soon as I get a new mould, if the problem is solved.

Hello,
I think that you have a faulty sizing die.
I do a lot of cast bullet sizing;sometimes .005.
The sized bullets come out longer butnever with fins.
Be sure that the bullets are lubed well enough.
Frank