This might be a stupid question but what exactly does a sizing die do beside crimp a gas check on the bullet?

As the bullet is forced through the die does it shave off any irregular or out of round shape to the bullet or does it compact or crush it back into the surface of the bullet?

This might be a stupid question but what exactly does a sizing die do beside crimp a gas check on the bullet?

As the bullet is forced through the die does it shave off any irregular or out of round shape to the bullet or does it compact or crush it back into the surface of the bullet?

Of the two, guess you could say it compacts the imprefections while it reduces the diameter (dependning on die diameter and the size of the bullet)....if the bullet isn't round, and the hole in the die is, should end up with a round bullet.

A lot of people believe that the least sizing is the best. I love this quote from the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual:

"As a manufacturer of mould blocks, we are forced to produce cavities from .001 to .002 inch over nominal barrel dimentions partly becasue of the differnt alloys used, but mostly becasue of tradition. For some reason, casters like to size bullets."

RS...
Thanks for the info, that is kind of what I figured. I've been studying Lyman's Casting Handbook but just didn't see an explanation of it.

Since we are talking about sizing cast bullets, why is the LEE press and sizer under $40 and the Lyman well over $100?

O/W

Since we are talking about sizing cast bullets, why is the LEE press and sizer under $40 and the Lyman well over $100?

O/W...

The Lee product is not a press but simply a
sizing die (http://www.leeprecision.com/images/parts/1323.jpg), punch (http://www.leeprecision.com/images/parts/1338.jpg), a plastic round container, and a bottle of liquid Alox. The Lee sizer will seat the gas check but depends on tumble lubing the bullets. They sell for a little less than $12.

The Lyman product is a press that provides lube under pressure to the lube grooves while the bullet is being sized. This press can be purchased with heater to help the lube flow. You have to also buy sizing dies and top punches.

Hey Ranch Dog!,

You can use the Lee sizing die and punch with this press ($18.49): http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690045

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/product_images/006-90045.jpg

When you add the $11.69 sizer kit you get a $30.18 kit that looks like this:
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/product_images/006-90037.jpg

Go figure!

O/W

Wolf...

I happen to have one of those C-Frame Lee presses but the sizing die will fit on just about any press, you don't need a dedicated press for it.

Wolf...

I happen to have one of those C-Frame Lee presses but the sizing die will fit on just about any press, you don't need a dedicated press for it.

Do you think the C-Frame Lee press is built well?

OldWolf

Do you think the C-Frame Lee press is built well?

Evening Woof...

Yeap... can't even begin to think how many are out there being used. It boggles the mind. I've got mine set up in my NEW casting room where it will be used with my Universal Decapping Die (my tumbler is in this room), Lee Hardness Testing Kit, the various Bullet Sizing Dies and the Universal Cast Bullet Expanding Die I just ordered. It was real handy for using BTBs Lapping Bullet Seating Screw. That could have been a mess and I durn sure didn't want to use my turret press for that. In the past, at some time or the other, I've used it for every step of the reloading process. When I cleaned house this time last year, it was the only single stage that stayed. I had a Hornady, Pacific, and RCBS that hit the road.

In reality and based on your interest in the .30-30 Win, there isn't a single reloading step that the press won't perform for you. The big concern with C-frames are they could torque out of alignment under extreme pressure. I got to messing around trying to do something one day and actually cracked my workbench with no noticeable change in the press.

On MidwayUSA you might want to read the reviews. I just looked at the dozen or so comments and all but a couple are very favorable. The one fellow that had problems sizing 45 caliber bullets must cast some really crappy bullets!

OldWolf:

The simple C-press will resize and do standard loading just fine...not a great choice for heavy-duty brass transformations. If later on down the road you branch off into progressives or super-duty presses, will still find lots of uses for the little Lee press.

The Lee sizing kits work well...not luber-sizers as you do the lubing, the machine only does the sizing, but they seem to work quite well.