Lubricating bullet question

David LaPell

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I am looking at getting into the finer art of casting bullets and had a sizing question. Both my Smith Outdoorsman and 27-2 had their barrels slugged and both are .356. I want a Lyman mold #358429 but those are in .358. How hard will it be do size them down to .357? Do I just get the .357 sizer? I am new to this part of reloading so I am getting all the ducks in a row before I jump in.
 
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Instead of slugging the bore (yours is .356) slug the cylinder throats.
I'm currently working up a load with the same bullet for my M13. My barrel and throats both ran @ .357. First go around with a .357 sizer gave me a nicely leaded bore. I had an extra .357 sizer which I opened
up to .358. Still to much leading so time to try a different angle, although the RCBS 38-150 KT's sized the same gave almost no leading.
Guess I'll try different powders,alloys, primers, loads etc. This "hobby" gets
frustrating at times. In answer to your original question though, you won't have a problem sizing a .358 bullet down to .357. Good luck, have fun, and stay safe.
 
Why did a bell go off in my head telling me something is fishy here? 356 bbl with soft lead 358 bullets sounds correct to me. I would cut my throat before going to lead.
I have all the equipment if you want to buy a bunch of lead wire, bullet formers and those little copper butt caps
 
Three things,

First off, you need to size the bullets larger than the bore, so .357 would work, but I'd go more traditional and get a .358 sizing die which is the standard size. No harm will come to your revolver, in fact the bullets will work best that way. No leading with a proper fit.

Sized bullets should not be able to drop through the cylinder without resistance, poking them through with a pencil for instance. If your bullets fall all the way through the cylinder, they are too small.

Second, the 358429 is too long for the 27-2 or any other N frame .357 UNLESS you crimp over the front driving band.

Lyman 358159 is the better choice here. You can crimp them in the crimping groove. It actually has two grooves for heavy loads using .38Spl cases so it can be seated out further. Use with gas checks for magnum loads and w/o gas checks for light loads under 900fps.

Third, a good luber-sizer like the Lyman 450 or 4500 wil handle any bullet you care to size and lube. Use a good lube like White Label BAC, less smoke, good for up to 2500fps in rifles - and CHEAP!

Hope this helps.
 
David,
I went with Lee tumble lube molds and sizers to get started. It was an inexpensive way for me to learn casting without spending a lot of money. My favorite bullet is the 158 gr. TLSWC. I cast mostly straight wheel weights with a little tin added to aid in mold fill out. I let them air-cool and then tumble lube them. I bought a .358 Lee sizer but I don't use it for this bullet. I shoot this bullet at moderate velocity as cast out of both my M19's and my M27 with excellent results and no leading. If I'm casting this bullet for my M642 in 38 Special I don't change anything but I add 50% stick on wheel weight alloy which softens the bullet up enough that it works well at lower pressures. If I'm loading hotter .357 loads I use the Lee 158 gr. SWC design that utilizes a gas check.

I'm about a year and a half into casting, between me and my casting buddy we've got 9 different Lee molds and 2 lyman molds. We're casting for 9x18 Mak, 38/357, 30-30, 45 ACP, 7.62x39, 300 Savage and 7.62 x 54r. The molds are about half and half tumble lube styles vs. conventional lube groove designs. So far I'm getting excellent results with a blend of tumble lubing or pan lubing depending on the application and using the inexpensive Lee sizers. One day I'll have a lubrisizer but for now I'm going the cheap way.
 
Well, checked the cylinder throats as best I could on both my Outdoorsman and 27-2 (I need to order some plug gauges) but a .357 diameter bullet dropped right through while the .358 didn't, so I guess I will stick with .358 moulds and sizer dies when I get them ordered.
 
Well, checked the cylinder throats as best I could on both my Outdoorsman and 27-2 (I need to order some plug gauges) but a .357 diameter bullet dropped right through while the .358 didn't, so I guess I will stick with .358 moulds and sizer dies when I get them ordered.

"He's a real smart fella!" :)

Way to go!
 
If your molds are dropping .358 bullets you will not need to resize them. I cast my bullets for my .44, my barrel slugs to .430, the throats measure the same. My mold throws a .431 bullet...a perfect combination for my gun. The only time I resize them is if I'm installing some gas checks.

One less step to perform...good luck.
 
Well, checked the cylinder throats as best I could on both my Outdoorsman and 27-2 (I need to order some plug gauges) but a .357 diameter bullet dropped right through while the .358 didn't, so I guess I will stick with .358 moulds and sizer dies when I get them ordered.

Unless you have a tight spot in the barrel you are in good shape with those dimentions.
 

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