Lyman 45 Sizer lube problem

A

AlHunt

Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2014
Messages
2,534
Reaction score
3,079
Location
Nabu
Last winter I acquired an old Lyman 45 bullet lubricator/sizer and finally had time to set it up. But I'm having an issue with too much lube being extruded into the die.

I disassembled the press, cleaned out all the old lube and put a brand new tube of Lyman Alox in there. No heater and I have not heated it but have a hair dryer and a heat gun if I need them.

I normally use the LEE sizer on my reloading press and liquid Alox.

Pics below should explain what's going on. See how much lube is going UNDER the bullet? Happens every time. I've adjusted the ram depth from way up to all the way down with no effect.

The one die I have is the .358 that came with it. If I recall correctly, it has 4 vertical holes and 4 rows of them around the die. I'm wondering if it's maybe the wrong die and the correct one doesn't have fewer vertical holes. But I'm guessing.

So, anyone have any ideas why this happens?

ETA: Also, I'm having some problem with the top groove not filling fully but I suspect that might just be a matter of working enough lube into the bottom part of the press.

ETA Again: In a couple of posts I'm going to create some confusion about which mold I'm using which I will clear up in post 11. Sorry ...
 

Attachments

  • press1.jpg
    press1.jpg
    36.3 KB · Views: 150
  • press2.jpg
    press2.jpg
    44.3 KB · Views: 144
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Correct me if I'm wrong but your bullet seems to have a shank for a gas check.Try lubing one with the GC on;that should help.
If it doesn't,try a lube that is a little harder.If it won't help,maybe try to plug the bottom holes with lead pellets(they are easy to drill out when not needed anymore).
But step no 1 should do the trick.if it does,either have your mould modified by removing the GC shank.I've done it and works like a charm.
 
Thanks guys, but this is not a gas check bullet. Just the 429421 SWC.

That's actually why I acquired the press, because I'm intending to go the gas check route in the future.
 
4barrel said:
You need to put the gas check on at the same time you lube and then adjust the depth. The top groove does not lube.
Click to expand...

When I say "top groove" I mean the top lube groove, not the crimp groove. Are you saying the upper lube groove doesn't necessarily get filled?

Thanks.
 
Hi!

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but in comparing the bullet in your picture to the images associated with the Lyman 429421, your bullet isn't a 429421!

Your bullet has 2 crimping grooves, a lube groove, and a stepped heel for a gas check. By Lyman's images, the 429421 has 1 crimping groove and 1 lube groove.

Regardless of whether your bullet is a 429421 or not, you shouldn't have a glob of lube accumulating at the bottom of the bullet. Ages ago (when I started casting) I had an identical issue (I have the 450 Lubri-sizer). You need to adjust the ram travel so the crimp grooves remain above the sizing die. Properly adjusted, did ram will not allow unexplored lube ports to discharge lube.
 
AlHunt said:
Thanks guys, but this is not a gas check bullet. Just the 429421 SWC.

That's actually why I acquired the press, because I'm intending to go the gas check route in the future.
Click to expand...


If your bullet mold is marked 429421 then it is mis-marked! The bullet you show a picture of is a gas-check design, and probably is a 429244. As others said, seat the gas-check when sizing.


One problem you may have is the age of the sizing die set. Old H dies (bottom punch) are flat on the top end, while later ones (about the last 40 years or so:D) are concave. This allows a better seal with the bullet base and helps to prevent lube from getting under the bullet. Harder alloys exert more pressure against the G die which helps the pressurized lube from pushing the bullet up when you relieve pressure on the handle to eject the bullet.


The screw on the bottom of the sizer body is the depth stop. It can be adjusted to allow filling of however many grooves you want. It isn't adjusted properly if you want to lube all grooves! It is not necessary to fill all grooves however.


Just for reference, I have been casting for 60 years and own 100+ Lyman moulds, including 6 429421! Your mold is not a 429421, at least the pictured bullet isn't as I said before!
 
lrrifleman said:
Hi!

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but in comparing the bullet in your picture to the images associated with the Lyman 429421, your bullet isn't a 429421!

Your bullet has 2 crimping grooves, a lube groove, and a stepped heel for a gas check. By Lyman's images, the 429421 has 1 crimping groove and 1 lube groove.

Regardless of whether your bullet is a 429421 or not, you shouldn't have a glob of lube accumulating at the bottom of the bullet. Ages ago (when I started casting) I had an identical issue (I have the 450 Lubri-sizer). You need to adjust the ram travel so the crimp grooves remain above the sizing die. Properly adjusted, did ram will not allow unexplored lube ports to discharge lube.
Click to expand...

You made me go look ... Sure enough, it's a 429421 Ideal from back right after dirt was invented. My memory isn't failing yet. No gas check, by the way. The bullet image must have a reflection or something. I've been casting these for about 30 years.

But, it sounds like I must need to keep playing with the adjustment.

Thanks for your reply.

ETA: I eventually realized the bullet in question came from a different mold entirely.
 

Attachments

  • mold1.jpg
    mold1.jpg
    56.1 KB · Views: 80
  • mold2.jpg
    mold2.jpg
    58.2 KB · Views: 67
Last edited:
Hang on, hang on ... I got mixed up when I threw out the 429421. Those bullets are from a Lee 6 cavity.

Sorry guys. It doesn't really affect the original problem. Just a little embarrassing ...
 
max said:
Just curious, if I sold you that Lyman? I sold one on the forum last winter.
Click to expand...

I believe it was you. Couldn't remember the seller. I definitely bought it from the forum. I love this thing, by the way and I appreciate having it.
 
Well if you are casting and sizing a429421 in a .358 sizer you are doing pretty good. Work hard?? The picture of the sizer looks to be a 358 and a 429 421 won't size in it. The pictured bullet does indeed look to be a 358 156 bullet and is a gas check bullet as shown
 
Ok not a 156 Lyman. but still a gas check design. What is the numberr on the mold or the box if you have it??
 
Skeet 028 said:
Ok not a 156 Lyman. but still a gas check design. What is the number on the mold or the box if you have it??
Click to expand...

Boy ... I went back to the wayback machine when I bought that 38 caliber mold and it is a C358-158 Lee. I don't need to tell you that it is indeed a gas check design. The 429421 IDEAL I've been using forever is a plain base bullet.

I've never used gas checks and just didn't recognize that teeny little ledge for what it was. I'm going to order some gas checks and probably send that mold out to get a couple cavities hollow pointed.

What I've learned from hanging around here a few years is that when all the old timers are saying the same thing ... listen.

Thanks everyone for your help!
 
rockquarry said:
I'm not an expert, but if that's a .38 caliber bullet, it look like #358156, a gas check design.
Click to expand...

Yep, brain fart. It actually dropped from a Lee 358-158, which I think is the same cherry number as the 358156.

Thanks for your help.
 
You can try these bullets without the gas check; they may shoot very well but usually not as well as as they do with the gas check attached.
 
AlHunt said:
Boy ... I went back to the wayback machine when I bought that 38 caliber mold and it is a C358-158 Lee. I don't need to tell you that it is indeed a gas check design. The 429421 IDEAL I've been using forever is a plain base bullet.

I've never used gas checks and just didn't recognize that teeny little ledge for what it was. I'm going to order some gas checks and probably send that mold out to get a couple cavities hollow pointed.

What I've learned from hanging around here a few years is that when all the old timers are saying the same thing ... listen.

Thanks everyone for your help!
Click to expand...
You can use liquid alox with that gas check bullet without a gc and stay under 900 fps also.
 
I believe that the die may have been modified if it has 4 vertical holes and 4 rows of them. An older Ideal or Lyman die should have one or two rows of vertical holes. I would pull it, post a photo if possible and see. You may need a new die. My 359 die was in the lube sizer but no other pistol dies had that many.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

elpac3
Alox lube question
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
pmhayden
pmhayden
F
pc'd bullets vs traditional/lubed bullet velocities
Replies
6
Views
719
Forrest r
F
S
Just have to give RCBS a bit of praise
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
Skeet 028
S
T
Cleaning and Lubricating Dies
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
chief38
chief38
N
A heavy 45 Colt bullet problem - 1.6-inch overall length
Replies
7
Views
605
jem102
J

Latest posts

Back
Top