Quote:
Originally Posted by gwpercle
The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #4 shows " all bullets sized to .429" dia. " which I thought odd untill I saw the test gun was a Universal Receiver not a real revolver . For a revolver I would start at .430 , which is .001" over factory jacketed bullet dia. and if I were placing the order would get a .431 H&I die while I was at it .
The reason being Lyman H&I dies may say .430 on the die but , depending on a few factors , you bullets may come out a little larger , a little smaller and sometimes , occasionally , right on the money .
A tale of Lyman .357 Die and .358 Dies ...
The .357 die sizes bullets to .3575 ... a little over
The .358 die sizes bullets to .3579 ... a little under
The difference is only .0004 between the two . Not really enough difference to matter in actual shooting test .
Oder your H&I dies then measure your sized bullets and see what you actually are shooting . I never measured the .357 sized bullets until after buying the .358 dies ... and found no difference in accuracy .
Gary
|
I have noted similar results. Another factor worth mentioning is the differences to be expected with various lead alloys used for casting bullets.
My RCBS lubri-sizer with .357" sizing die produces soft bullets in the ~.3575" range, but harder alloys will "spring back" to mic at ~.3584". These measurements apply to bullets from the same mold sized in the same sizer die.
Similar results for .44 bullets in a .429" sizer die (soft ~4295, hard ~.432), and .45 bullets in a .452"sizer die (soft ~.4515, hard ~.4522).
All of the above listed bullets shoot very well. Different casting alloys for different uses (caliber, velocity, intended uses).
For perspective, my "soft bullet" alloy is typically 50% salvaged range lead and 50% wheel weights (estimated BHN ~12); my "harder" alloy is typically 50% wheel weights and 50% linotype metal (estimated BHN ~17-18).
Needless to say, every die is different, every mold is different, every firearm is different, and every bullet casting alloy will behave differently.