Lee Sizer Kits: Sizing Powder Coated Cast Bullets And Installing Gas Checks
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- Опубликовано: 10 апр 2017
- Sizing powder coated cast bullets and installing gas checks can be nicely done on our strong reloading presses with the use of Lee Bullet Sizer Kits...
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I've been reloading for years, but your videos taught me a lot on things like this I never did before, thanks for all you do.
Once again, You have taught me something. I was asked to cast some 45 colt bullets using the lyman 452490 and also powder coat before the gas check. Thanks to you showing the proper way to grab the bullet and the gas check , mine turned out great !! thank you for all you do !
Great video. I bought my 1st Lee's reloading equipment back in 1987 and still have and use it. Now back in 1986 I got my 1st S&W 44 mag model 29. The normal cost of a 44mag round is maybe $1 a round. I still make them for a quarter each. I have made thousands of 44mags and still have cases from my original 250 brass I bought from Midway. I have fired and reloaded them many times to add up to over 5000 rounds I have fired from my model 29 and it still runs great. Thanks again for you video. I am going to the gun show today (July 6th 2019 at the Raleigh NC Capital Gun Show) just to buy powder coating and a sizer. Your video was right on time for me. WOW, now that I look at this post: in the past 32 years, I have spent $1000 on 44mag ammunition. Sounds about right; $32 a year shooting 150 or so. Glad I got reloading equipment now.
This video has been very helpful too me installing my gas checks . I was using my Lyman bullet sizer to seat them and some of them were not seating square , rather than sending the canted checks back to the pot I was able to run them threw the Lee sizing die and it squared them up. Your right about powder coating FortuneCookie it has revolutionized my cast bullet loading for rifle. The discovery of using parchment paper really did the trick for me. I like a good even coating on my rifle bullets so I stand them up. the first time I used parchment paper it turned black " overhead heating element " now I place tinfoil folded 4 square over the pan and they come out perfectly coated.. I am using these bullets in rifles that are designed for velocity's between 2100-2400 FPS with very good results.
Thank you for you're wisdom I always learn from your videos.
I always wondered why my sizer die came in that weird shaped canister! You are Never Too OLD to Learn Something new! LOL . Great Video, Thank you Sir!
Thanks for the information bullets look really good
Great job love the videos
Back when I was getting started casting and powder coating I was watching Elvis Ammo before he told me about you. I was having problems my first time sizing. I actually pulled my press out of the bench. Ha said he spit coffee when he read that. I thought I really messed up. Turns out that the mold wasn't closed due to a bit of lead in in the mold and the bullets we're out of round. The mistakes we make when learning. At least I was able to rebuild my bench. Thanks for teaching me how to cast and powder coat over the years. Happy shooting.
Bigger behind the trigger Atkinson - I've got a story for you...on a long sizing job, had oversized cast bullets to size - instead of pulling the press off my bench, the linkage on my Lyman 450 sizer lubricator broke in half...should have known better than to use that much force sizing bullets of all things...but I kept the broken press (got an RCBS LubeAMatic instead) as a reminder of my impetuous youth. We extended learn because of the mistakes we made in the past. Best to ya for a great Christmans and Holiday Season...FC Steve
Fortune Cookie, don't use 3-in-1 oil, get a can of Marvel's Mystery Oil and a small bottle applicator. It's a great lubricant and can even help break free stuck items; stays with the metal for a long time. And a BIG, BIG THANKS for all your videos - I'm a relatively new reloader, subscribed and always turn to your videos for all my new projects and review old ones to stay sharp. Keep us educated - and I love LEE Product.
Great job cookie another good video
Great video!
Beautiful
Thanks a lot you answered several questions...
Great job
treeablowin - Thanks for the gracious comment - much appreciated Best to ya, FC
I find that doing gas checks in that method causes the thing to leave a 'shoulder' in the gas check because the pushrod for the die is a tiny bit smaller in diameter than the base of the bullet. Has to be for it to push the bullet thru the die. With a flat nose bullet like that, I run it thru base up with the gas check pressed onto the bullet base. This swages the gas check perfectly over the base of the bullet, as its drawn over the base as it's pushed thru the die.
I like that, "don't mess with success".
I have also found the Lee straight thru sizer dies seat gas checks squarely and evenly every time. Far better than the more traditional sizer-lubrisizers that don't always seat them squarely. Some Dillon case lube helps ease the bullet through the die.
I tried a little experiment I tried case lube on the ram works lovely.
Yep we are loving our 158 gr. 357 bullets tumble lubed with 45-45-10. I found it curious that you gas checked a powder coated pistol bullet. I can see why someone might do that with a rifle bullet but for pistol I'd think it was overkill and unnecessary.
CountryBoyPrepper - Probably so, but it sure demonstrated how nice the Lee sizer die worked. Who know, if these bullets shoot gangbusters, I can compare them to non GC if it comes to that. Have a great day, FC
Those .429 Lyman 215 gr bullets (Should) shoot good.. You were saying that you were unsatisfied with the accuracy in a earlier video you posted. I Had a Ruger Blackhawk at the time (25+) years ago and I started off on the wrong foot by sizing them to .429 with the Lyman 429421. accuracy, leading was horrible, I thought to myself what a waste of money until I tried using them as cast and Cake cut from the lube. I size my .44 bullets to .430-.431 and I haven't had that problem ever sense. So good luck with that Mold and good shooting to ya Cookie. Dave.
Toaster ovens.... yard sales, garage sales, Good Will, Salvation Army Store, etc..... all kinds of sizes and I have seen them for as little as $2! I just had someone give me on for free!
bippie23456 i might add here,that some times the 2 buck toater ovens are not in good shape,many are old and temp coils dont heat correctly. Try one to see if you really want to pc,then buy a black n decker at walley world for 20 bucks.i went thru 3 garage sale toaster ovens, before biting the bullet , pun, and spending a 20 on a new one.some times new is better,just my experience.
I lube my press with machine way oil. It adheres well and sheds moisture.
FC, caught ya in a technical boo boo. The LYMAN #429215GC is a SWC. I know because I'm culling some I just cast yesterday. I have just remembered why you shouldn't cast #429215, #429244 and #452490 together. GEEZ, they are not easy to tell apart when I'm trying to cull bullets and WATCH YOUR video's at the same time.
But keep them coming, you are the ONLY PERSON I'VE LEARNED ANYTHING FROM IN WATCHING YOU-TUBE VIDEO'S.
Walks Fletcher - Thanks for the correction...and thanks for the kind remarks... Best to ya, Walks..!! FC Steve
I cast with two molds at the same time. Either a 44 and a 45 or a 357 and a 9mm. Easy to sort and do not have to stop for overheated mold. Take care.
A linotype bullet with shatter when it impacts steel at 1400fps, what you're showing is a bullet being impacted by steel on one end and softer wood on the other. I've picked up many bullet shards when resetting Silhouette Targets. How do you know that lee sizer system is really seating those Gas Checks squarely ?
I am casting an NOE .430 240 gn Silhouette bullet. I tried hard cast but could not size them even using my case lube. I am not a big beefy guy, only a 115 lb female. I went to a soft alloy and started powder coating. I sort of do it the same as this video. I cast, size powder coat, size again while gas checking. My question is; can I/ should I bake the bullets again at 10 min to get a better bond on the gas check? Also is a gas check a waste of time if powder coating and shooting less than 1700 fps? Just my thought but is a GC bullet without a GC act like a step boattail?
Out of curiosity, Would it be possible to use the lee bullet sizer to shave down slightly large FMJ's? maybe in 1-2 steps? IE .308 down to .300?
Could you also maybe apply a very thick coating on FMJ bullets too small, to make them slightly too big, then resize them, basically doing what a paper patch does, except it becomes a "powder-coat patch" that you use a sizing die to get perfect? think 308, size UP to larger than 311, then send through a 311 sizer to get 311 bullets?
Hi FC. Iknow this has been asked before, but do you size all of your powder coated bullets before loading?
I have seated gas checks by running the bullet through backwards. I guess that's not necessary. Thanks for the tip Cookie.
I don't remember the bhn numbers of factory lead, but as a X-ray, CT, MRI tech, I have seen shattered bullets that have struck bone in radiographs.
Wow ! I’m going for an MRI very soon ! Now I’m going to be thinking about that while I’m in there ! Hey but it passes the time, and that’s a good thing ! Who knows , you might be my tech that does mine ! 😃
Hello I have a question for you I have Lee 125 grain mold I'm casting bullets with and I just got into casting a couple months ago but I'm having trouble with the bullet seating sitting in my receiver I have to set the the bullet pretty deep before it'll set into the receiver I know that'll probably put the pressure up but is it I take the Potter down and put it where will receive it I believe that would work am I wrong or right thanks I've been watching your videos for a couple months now I just scribed though
HF on line is 6.39 today. At my nearest store it has been going up. Last I bought was over $7. Inflation everywhere.
archersfriend - Gah! When I bought my six pounds of HF, it was $5, and that was not that long ago - like a year or less. Good thing it lasts for a long time... Best to ya, FC
Gas was .35 a gallon in 1972. Go figure
Soooo, to seat a gas check I’m going to need either a sizing die OR a factory crimp die, correct? I presume the sizing die is the faster/easier/better way?
Hey Steve, do we crimp those on or below the driving band ?
Have you noticed any scratching inside the sizing die from the powder coating?
do you have to lube the bullets after or no because they're powder coated?
Would Scuba weights mixed with Rotometal Linotype at a 50/50 ratio work well for moderate load 45 ACP, 9mm and 38 Super plinkers?
Can you gas check on the Lee Reloader Press MD 90045? I have the Hornady turret press still in the box and not sure if it will set-up like a single station press, that is not rotate stations with each stroke so I can do as you demonstrate is this fine video. .
You can always remove the auto advance feature from any turret press and use them as a multi-station single stage press. I use my Lee turret press like that.
Hi FC,
I have been wondering, if you have a mold that casts without lube rings and powder coat, how does that effect the need for gas checks for rifles?
Thanks
Greg La Roche - Gas checks are seldom "needed". But some bullets shoot more accurately with gas checks installed. That is the main reason I use gas checks. Leading prevention has been solved by proper fit to guns, hardness, lubes, PC. Best to ya, FC Steve
Crazy Question... can you remelt lead that has been Powder coated previously
👍
Can you do the same thing presized bullets to add the gas check?
If you have a cast bullet made for a gas check but you powder-coated it, do you really need to add a gas check still?
Just getting into reloading and your videos are very helpful. One question; why do you resize after you powder coat? Wouldn't it make sense to resize and then powder coat?
@E Ah, makes total sense. Thanks for the reply.
Would .30 cal gas checks work on a .311 diameter bullet?
Fortune Cookie 45LC mentioned Harbor Freight as a place to buy Power Coat paint. If you buy there do not buy the Flat Black as it appears to be abrasive and will wear your barrel. Gloss black is the same paint, but does not have the abrasive particles.
got another question. when you powder coat a cast bullet is there any neef to apply lube.
No, the powder coat acts as the lube!
I bought one for 9mm and it works great.. Lee makes the best...
Why the gas check?
Gas checks are used for hypersonic speeds on less dense "lead" bullets. Lead mixed with other material such as Tin are already hardened.
@@lindafoxwood78 I just shoot them.. some are mixed with tin but most are just soft lead and they shoot fine. all are pistol rounds.. mostly 9mm
Do you have video just for .223? I mean this video...but in .223? I did a search of your videos but there are so many ...I couldn't find it. Thanks for all you provide.
How do you resize pointed bullets? Wouldn’t pushing one against the other damage the pointed tip?
Thanks in advance FC
I have been reloading since 1987. The sizer completes its job on the up stroke. The next bullet pushes that one up, but does not have any pressure on it.
Hi Fortune Cookie45Lc this is Elvis i have a question i bought some lee bullet molds for my 38super and my 38special my question is should i use a gas checker on them the molds are lee 90309 and lee 90328 thanks
Do you use Hornady or Lyman gas checks?
I need help ... I can't get the lee sizer plastic drum apart. I have twisted it ran hot water over it and used a rubber belted Master Twister. I don't want to brake it, but I am about to that point. There has to be a way to get the base off.
Jim, not sure if you got them apart yet, but I have had a similar problem. I have found if I take a wood dowel ( or something similar) through the hole and tap it on the floor or workbench while holding the base, it'll come apart. Also, once apart, if you insert the other end of the base into the cup it doesn't fit near as tight. Good luck. Tim
Dude knows what he’s doing. You don’t need to spend a fortune to obtain good accuracy with lead. Lee makes some pretty rudimentary stuff that turns out gobs of good ammo. Don’t look the other way just because it’s cheaper.
Good lord! If you hate what steel shot does to shotgun barrels, how can you like porcelain coated bullets through your pistol/rifle?
hello fc use a litlle lube it wil save your sizer aginst wear off
I recently coated a batch of bullets and a few that I was sizing we're undersized ,can I throw them in my melting pot. Or should I discard them. Because they're coated
Coated bullets can be melted without any problems. Use your skimming as normal to remove any impurity.
can you resize non casted lead bullets, like berry's plated lead bullets from .458 to .452 ?
No plated you have to buy the proper size.
Why gas check a powder coated bullet? Can you run these bullets at magnum velocities without fear of leading?
Towards the end where you show the end results I notice one bullet has a "rolled" gas check. Would you recycle back to the pot or rework it?
Judd_S - Yes, these might shoot very well without the GCs - if so, we'll save the hassle and cost of putting them on.
They can be shot at magnum velocities without leading - we've done that on other videos. When installing GCs, yes, there will be the occasional reject...back into the pot it goes...Good castin' to ya, FC
One possible reason, for which I haven't seen any data one way or the other, is that a gas check is more perfect. The base of the bullet as it passes the crown is critical for accuracy. I strongly suspect that gas checks are unnecessary, but if they were to provide an advantage, this would be my guess for what the mechanism is. Smooth copper is more uniform than pebbly lead and powder.
GunFun ZS flat base bullets leave the barrel evenly when sized to the bore. When velocity increases and bevel bases are used accuracy can degrade. Key word-can. Gas checks are often used in longer barrels with heavy charges to protect the bullet base to prevent base cutting to increase the ballistic coefficient of the bullet and also prevent bullet destabilization at longer ranges. This is just my two cents and 25 years of experience. Take it for what it’s worth. Pistol velocities do not require gas checks when the bullet fits the bore
Hey FC! I don't know if you've followed my channel lately, but I've been making customized molds for 300 BO. Anyway, if you would like, I will send you some of the bullets. I have your address somewhere from the last time I meant to send you something, and had to move house. I think the bullets would probably also be a good match for your 30 carbine.
If lee sold the mold, it would be designated CTL .312-125-2r. I powder coat them and size to .309" -- Actually, Lee would probably call it 110 or 140, since they seem to have a rule that the named weight can never be close to the cast weight.
That would come in handy if you wanted to size bullets down to fit a certain pistol.
Cookie you need your own gas check maker
I need a low budget single stage press recommendation from ya sir
Uncle Jim thanks for the input , the Indy 1500 gun n knife will be here soon I'll check out the sales
just an idea, could you try mica powder on the powder coating oven tray to prevent the bullets from sticking to the tray.
Nosmar Flagnard - No need - the non stick aluminum foil or parchment paper both make for no stick...Good castin' to ya, FC
FortuneCookie45LC just thought it would be a lot cheaper than aluminum foil or parchment papper.
Nosmar Flagnard - I like your thinking - that might be a good try - no one has thought of that possibility. But now that I have a roll of Non-stick foil and a box of parchment, I'm really set for quite a while - they both work well. Have a great day, FC
I thought the powder coat did not need gas checks for most bullets......is it because of the mold?
Cmax Arms - That bullet did not shoot that well for me years ago without the GCs. Since my Keith bullets worked so well, never got back to this. It was a forgotten mold. I wanted to give it the best chance this time around. Sometimes gas checks improve the accuracy of a cast bullet. It's going to be fun finding out - like having a new mold!! Best to ya, FC
thanks FC
Yeah I don’t know about Aluminium gas checks, Aluminium has a MUCH LOWER melting temperature than copper by A LOT! Considering some powders can combust around 5000 degrees, I don’t think Aluminium would stand up very well.
$50 for 1000 gas checks isn’t too bad, considering the time you save from trying to make your own, and coppers HIGH melting temperature.
Yes, copper gas checks are fine and higher quality, however they are expensive! Between 3.5 and 4.5 cents each! When you're casting bullets one of the reasons you're trying to save money and this additional cost kind of defeats the purpose. I made my own gas check maker with plans I found online (cost me $20) and I calculated cost of GC, it came out to something like 3 GCs per penny and even cheaper if you buy bigger rolls of aluminum flashing, I just bought 7" x 120" roll for $11 bucks from local Home Depot. I made my first one for 30 cal, next I'll make one for 357 and maybe I'll get in to casting 223.
Dima Prok - Congrats on making your own GCs. I've heard they work well. Only reason I haven't gone that way is if aluminum was the thing for GCs, the factories would be using them since Al is cheaper than Cu. But if everyone out there really likes the Al gas checks, I'll have to go that way.... Best to ya, FC
From everything I heard is aluminium doesn't hurt the barrel and in fact is softer than copper. There might be advantage with copper for rifle bullets to go potentially faster. Also aluminum flashing I am using is about 12 - 12.5 thousands of an inch and Hornady copper GC for 30 cal is 17 thousands, for 357 and 22 it's 10 thousands so I'll be doing testing soon and see how it works.
Dima Prok - Just did some videos on gas checking, but then the 429215cms did not shoot that well with the GCs installed. Best policy is to not use any gas checks unless absolutely necessary. Best to ya, FC
Well, I purchased this RCBS mold, double cavity 115gr for a target load and I want to push it fast like 2000 fps, was thinking gas check would be a solution. Do you think it will lead the barrel if I shoot it without any lube but with gas check? Also do you think it's safe to push it to starting velocities of jacketed bullets? I have a digital copy of Lyman 3rd edition casting handbook and it's pretty old so it doesn't have any data on 300 BLK and Hornady manual doesn't have any load data for lead bullets. I don't mind purchasing 4th edition but I don't know how much info they'll have for what I need. I also have Lyman 48th edition but it also doesn't have any 300 blk lead bullet data.
Mr. FC I'm new to reloading and this may seem like a dumb question... How do you know if you need a gas check or not? Also I've been buying alot my equipment from Midway USA do they have gas checks in stock? Thank you for your time and expertise. I love watching your videos I always learn something new. I appreciate the time that you put into your videos.
Sir, do you think the Lee hand press is strong enough for this type of work?
Yes
FC45LC... Hi there I see that your putting gas checks on your powder coated bullets.From my experience witch is for loading 40 cal, Ive tested loaded range scrap With a home made gas check made out of aluminum flashing witch is .004" versus range scrap with a coat of powder coating on the bullet. I got the same results as a jacketed bullet. Absolutely no leading what so ever and I shot them at jacketed bullet velocities.
Widow Maker - I haven't tried making those aluminum gas checks yet...Actually, I avoid using gas checks whenever possible. But I wanted to give these 429 215 CMs a good chance so I went ahead and put those on...this bullet did not shoot well for me 40 years ago, Let's see how they do when powder coated... Best to ya, FC
Can you crimp a powder coat bullet without damage to the finish of the bullet? Thanks
I have crimped without damage to the powder coat... just don't go overly aggressive with the crimp.
bippie23456 Thanks, have you tested this in any way? Pull a bullet after seated and crimped? Or recovered a bullet in water? I never shot any powder coated bullets. But thinking of trying it.
Yes, have loaded many thousands of powder coated bullets, I have pulled a few dozen and noticed that the crimp only indents the powder coating and does not crack or peel the powder coating from the bullet.... at least that has been my experience.
bippie23456 That's some great information. Thanks for sharing.
FC, what red is that? Looks great on those bullets. One coat or two?
I thought if we powder coated the bullets there was no need for the gas checks?
Hello I just bought lee - mold dc c309-160-r for casting my own bullet
What I don't know is what sizing die do I need ??
Can you please help me with this thank you very much
Do I need 308 or 309
My rifle is a 308 Remington 700
@@sebastiengauthier2785 Try both and see which is more accurate. Every barrel is different.
What if it is to small
So we still need to GC a PC boolit? I thought it was unnecessary? Confused.
Edad Martin - No need for confusion...PC means we don't need gas checks, but any shooter can choose to install them as an option that might improve accuracy because of the possibly more regular bullet base afforded by the gas check. Some of my PC bullets shoot better without the gas checks and others with them - thankfully most shoot better without them (saves me 4 - 5 cents a bullet)...testing reveals that...but they are not needed for any leading control any longer because of the PC. Note that PC bullets can still have lube put into the lube grooves although there is no need for that either. Plus, PC bullets can still be tumble lubed with 45/45/10 if desired (no need for that either). We could take a PC bullet, gas check it, lube it, and then tumble lube with 45/45/10 - the so called quadruple lube. None of that is needed because of the PC. Have a great day, FC
FortuneCookie45LC thanks hey one moore question my marlin 30-30 cerrocasts at .3115. Now i want to cast and Pc these,so should my mold be .309 or .311. If i pc ill add 2 thou right so should i then size .311 .or .314. Lee would have to custom make a .312 sizer what would you do?
I noticed you using 3 in 1 Oil on the ram. How has that been working for you? I happen to have a lot of that Oil! :-)
Whatever you do, don't take a shot every time he says "go ahead." What was this video again?
Lee is like Rada knives USA made and FRUGAL not cheap
I thought the whole point of powder coat was it was a jacket substitute and so thered be no need for gas checks, no?
Powder coat is nowhere near as hard or strong as copper. It just provides lubrication in a clean way.
FC, I'm beginning to think you have an unnatural love affair with 3 in 1 oil. Or else get in for free.
Walks Fletcher - Not at all...doesn't everybody have a can of that?? And not only that, that can doesn't run dry...after years and years, that can is still putting out the product... Best to ya, FC Steve
I was raised on BALLISTOL, my Dad bought it mail order from the "OLD" Gander Mountain. I never saw it out here on the shelves until the mid'80's. We used plain white 4oz bottles from "somewhere" as dispensers. And WD-40 for the bbl's of our SKEET & TRAP Guns. I think that was just because of the spray can. And when did you last see a lead WW in CALIF. ? 1998 ?
Man that's a pukey color...lol
If you dont mess around with success, then you wouldn't be reloading. Almost all components are of great quality these days. Just get manufacturers ammo. Since you do mess around with many components, you are messing around with success. you are better off saying that you do things just cause you like to.
I am just starting to get into casting and looking at the data I can cast .30 cal. loads from a 7.62 (.312) mold. With .308 that seems acceptable for sizing but for .300 it seems a bit large. What am I missing. Thank you
Soooo, to seat a gas check I’m going to need either a sizing die OR a factory crimp die, correct? I presume the sizing die is the faster/easier/better way?