[msredneck]

I don't know what the deal is but I've noticed lately that if I wait a day or so after casting a new batch of bullets...it is infinitely harder for me to run them through the Lee sizer.

I normally try and do em the same day but it doesn't always work out.

Some say your bullets don't cure or harden up that much....I don't know if that is what I'm running across or not.

Till I figure it out I think I'm gonna always try and resize pretty much after the casting session.

I'm getting to many bullets stuck in the re-sizing die and its working me to death beating them out at the bench vise...yeah....pounding them out...I mean swinging that hammer!

The batch I'm doing now was 6 lb range lead and 1 lb lino....so they oughta not be that hard.....

If I have many more...I may just re-melt em

 

[jbpmidas]

I am no expert, but, if you add lino to range lead, doesn't that make the lead harder? Have you tested the hardness of your lead?

 

[msredneck]

Well some of the problem is that the mould probably filled out a little strange....

No way to tell what the mix is when you are using range lead...I thought I'd put just enough lino in there to help em pour good....experimenting

I don't have a hardness tester..

at any rate...I guess I was just making the comment that it seems easier to size them sooner as opposed to later.

One of these days I just need to get me a good lube sizer...just don't have the space for it now

 

[jbpmidas]

I helped SGMJODY resize some the other day and there was almost no effort. That is my only experience with resizing. I do believe he waits several days after Lu ing them. He also tests the hardness on them.

If I remember correctly, he said to mix lino 1:1 with pure lead. I know everyone hates second hand info, but it's all I got. I'm just getting started and trying to learn all I can while SGMJody is a willing teacher!

 

[msredneck]

well 1:1 lino to lead is fine...if you can afford the lino....

I'm making low velocity 38 special bullets...not rifle rounds so I skimp on the lino as much as possible.

I poured these up the other night in poor light so I may not have done the best job

I'm still convinced that resizing as soon as possible (while all them molecules is still hot) is a good way to go...then let em set up about a week to "cure" before loading and shooting them

These are my thoughts of what I've seen work the best for me anyway...aint saying another's way isn't better

 

[jbpmidas]

I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks, and I'll post what we did. I know he lets his sit for a while after lubing, then he sizes. And, like I said, resizing was effortless.

 

[msredneck]

well I learned a little something tonight....I did not have to punt

I use the Lee Allox as a lube. One would figure that when it was wet, like after I had just got through coating them.....that they were lubed...

Noooooooooooooo...it needs to dry...about 24 hrs...they even sorta tell you that in the instructions..... :lol4:

It also helps to run a brass brush through the sizer die and get a bit of the residue out....

Just ran 200 through hardly missing a beat...

so much for all this Thinking :rotflmao: :thinking:

 

[jbpmidas]

Thanks for sharing your mishap and saving some of us the trouble!!!!!

 

[msredneck]

There will be plenty more mishaps I'm sure..... ullhair:


Just do your best to avoid a major mishap....Having a pot of melted lead explode on you or tip over is the BIG ONE :NO:

U are smart having a experienced mentor show you the ropes...

Casting is not for folks with short attention spans....

My casting, sizing, and loading process is "involved" because I don't have the fancy gear....

But I keep cases primed and ready to go. I can sit down in an hour and load about 4 boxes of 38's...or 9mm's and that's good enough for me...for now.

 

[jbpmidas]

I have some .223 primed and ready, but I haven't got my .45 brass that far along yet. Just sized and decapped today. It won't matter on the .45's yet anyway as I do not have any primers or powder yet.

 

[Hammer]

well I learned a little something tonight....I did not have to punt

I use the Lee Allox as a lube. One would figure that when it was wet, like after I had just got through coating them.....that they were lubed...

Noooooooooooooo...it needs to dry...about 24 hrs...they even sorta tell you that in the instructions..... :lol4:

It also helps to run a brass brush through the sizer die and get a bit of the residue out....

Just ran 200 through hardly missing a beat...

so much for all this Thinking :rotflmao: :thinking:

I make a mixture with the Lee alox. 45% Lee alox, 45% Johnson paste wax, and 10% mineral spirits. Captain sent me this from the Cast Boolits website. Works great.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=67654

 

[msredneck]

Thx for the tip...I'll check it out...

Gotta go take a work break now.... :thanks:

 

[Hammer]

I use the mix above with good success. Follow directions in the post I linked to and it should go smoothly!