Sizing die photos?

[Deleted]

Does anyone have some closeup photos of the sizing die that you're using in your .45's. Taken from a few different angles if possible. A friend who runs the machine shop at our local JC says he can make one if anybody can. We're going to give it a try.... Any advice would be appreciated...
Thanks Zen

[smokeeter]

Don't have the die made to the finished size you want to end up with. there is usually always springback. Have the die made a few thou smaller than your required size, you can always hone it out larger if necessary.

[Dave W]

The only pic I have:

Tom Post at Swinglock made mine, .4486 sizes a SST to my barrel "which is a little looser than the Pac Nors".
The die is tapered so a bullet starts into the die by hand. Mine was made for a reloading press, but an arbor press is probably the route to go for less wear and tear on the press and easier physically.

[smokeless77]

Panhandle This die I made out of 1.5" round stock x 1" thick. Pretty simple to make with a lathe used two different size drill bits and hand lapped the rest to fit whatever barrel your using. I will get back to you on the drill size that i used.

John

[Deleted]

Great info guys....
DW...How long is that taper going into the throat of the die?

Smokeless...Come back with your photos...Also what is your round stock made of?

Thanks, Zen

[smokeless77]

Panhandle, I posted two photos maybe they did not post. someone let me no and I will try again

[smokeless77]

[Al]

Make them heavy walled, 1 1/2"-2" diameter is great, and heat treated, just helps to keep the springback consistant. Like Smoke said start small and hone out as needed, expect about .001 for springback on the thicker jacketed bullets.


This one is made from some old 52100 bushing blanks we were going to toss, hardened 60-62rc. I honed a counterbore in the top about 1/2" long, just helps to get the bullet started straight.

[bigmoose]

Excellent photo's thanks to all.

I use Lee resizing die's, Ive had them a while, at the time wait time on a custom size was 4 weeks.
With an arbor press, its fast work, after running thur the die, I lightly knurl them, since I shoot often, I run 100 thru at a time. My bullet is the Barnes 290gr TMZ, all copper.

[chuck41]

I used round stock that looks like the one smokess77 pictured and drilled a hole in it about 10 thousands less than final dimension. Then ran a taper reamer in it to open the end up so the bullet drops in it easily.

Next used a larger drill to ream out the backside so the restricted area between that and the taper reamed part (finished size) is only about 5/16". Having the fully restricted area larger than that makes it harder to size the bullets.

Next step was to use a letter drill that is about 3 thousands less than the final size to get it close. Last step was to put emery cloth on a wooden dowel and polished it to the finished size. Polish a bit then size a bullet with it and measure bullet, polish a bit more, etc. Don't know the finished size of the die, but it throws precisely sized bullets every time. Mine is for a .40 but the .45 will work the same way. Works great on the Arbor press.

[Dave W]

Jan 2, 2010 0:33:18 GMT -5 @panhandle said:

Great info guys....
DW...How long is that taper going into the throat of the die?

Smokeless...Come back with your photos...Also what is your round stock made of?

Thanks, Zen

Probably about a 1/2" like Al said.

[spaniel]

Is there a shortcoming to using the Lee sizing dies in a reloading press or are people just trying to save money/wait? I was planning on just ordering one from Lee as I don't have easy access to resources to make one.

[smokeless77]

Spaniel, For me it was the 6 to 8 week wait time, and your'e not guaranteed it will give you a good fit for your bore.

[bigmoose]

If you are using jacketed bullets, a reloading press should do, but for solid copper bullets, I think you will need an Arbor Press, maybe Smokeeter, will chime in, Paul is one of the grandmasters on bullets.

[shooter]

I got this die from CH4D Die set.Here there number
1-740-397-7214 They cost more then lee die but i got it less then a week. :great people t do business with.
This is a .449 die.
Sorry some of the picture are blurry.






Hope This Help.
Thanks Marty