Sizing for sabotless take II
Apr 3, 2009 14:32:28 GMT -5
Post by smokeeter on Apr 3, 2009 14:32:28 GMT -5
Many of you may realize that there is more to 45 sabotless shooting than screwing on a custom barrel. The challenge after that is to find the proper bullet/barrel fit.
The size down , knurl up , resize can be teadious and sometimes overwhelming. I know as some of you have come to realize that one set of sizing dies isn't always enough and finding that size is hit and miss at times. The accepted practice seems to be to undersize and knurl up but this cannot always be a constant since there are so many other variables that come into play. I know that it was giving me fits ( along with at least one other player that I know). I have come up with a method that seems to be working very well for me.
I modified a set of forming dies that I made to be stepped, ie. the base of the die is .450 " for approx. .30" then the die opens up to .451 die. when I reform/size my bullets now the nose punch sqashes the bullet to this shape along with putting the semi spitzer point on the bullet. The dies produce a bullet that is consistant in size time after time.
I went with the .450 " base to aid in loading and and the .451 engraves nicely into my bore which measures .4505" land to land, which assists in ensuring adequate bullet spin from the rifling.
These dies work extreemly well with bullets like XTP, SST, Speer mags and Hornady soft points. I have obtained very good accuracy with the XTP modified bullets in both 250 gr. @ 2500-2600 fps and 300 gr @ 2200-2300 fps.
The dies don't fair as well with the heavy jacketed variety like the noslers I still have to do it the standard way of undersizing a knurling back up.
The size down , knurl up , resize can be teadious and sometimes overwhelming. I know as some of you have come to realize that one set of sizing dies isn't always enough and finding that size is hit and miss at times. The accepted practice seems to be to undersize and knurl up but this cannot always be a constant since there are so many other variables that come into play. I know that it was giving me fits ( along with at least one other player that I know). I have come up with a method that seems to be working very well for me.
I modified a set of forming dies that I made to be stepped, ie. the base of the die is .450 " for approx. .30" then the die opens up to .451 die. when I reform/size my bullets now the nose punch sqashes the bullet to this shape along with putting the semi spitzer point on the bullet. The dies produce a bullet that is consistant in size time after time.
I went with the .450 " base to aid in loading and and the .451 engraves nicely into my bore which measures .4505" land to land, which assists in ensuring adequate bullet spin from the rifling.
These dies work extreemly well with bullets like XTP, SST, Speer mags and Hornady soft points. I have obtained very good accuracy with the XTP modified bullets in both 250 gr. @ 2500-2600 fps and 300 gr @ 2200-2300 fps.
The dies don't fair as well with the heavy jacketed variety like the noslers I still have to do it the standard way of undersizing a knurling back up.
