Resize plated bullets?

[LeBur]

Is it possible to re-size plated bullets without scraping away the plating?
I've never used any plated bullets but I've been offered a good deal on some .430/.431 but would like to re-size to .427.
Will that work or am I just wasting my money.

 

[4barrel]

I turn mine around so the nose is not hurt.I have a couple of 38s that have .356 match barrels. The resizer is tapered so I dont have a problem scratching the bullet. I put a small amount of lube on the bullets before resizing. Slug your barrel & what ever is the o.d. is the size the bullets need to be. I have gone .002 under with no problems.

 

[358156hp]

A LEE push through sizer and some case sizing lube should get you where you want to be. Plated bullets aren't generally any harder than plain old lead is.

 

[LeBur]

"Plated bullets aren't generally any harder than plain old lead is."

Yessir. Thanks. My concern is will the plating be scraped off in the re-size process. Or, will the plating just be "squeezed" into the lead core itself during the resizing? As I understand it, the plating is only about .004 thick. If I re-size the bullet .003 to .004 smaller, will I have plating left, or just end up with a plain ol' lead projectile with a copper nose and base. (Am I making any sense?)
Thanks guys. ;-)

 

[blujax01]

I suggest you contact the bullet manufacturer (Berry's?) and ask them.

 

[358156hp]

Cast bullet sizers swage the bullets to smaller diameters by passing them through a tapered die. While some of the old, old sizing dies actually cut the bullets, any recently manufactured dies, such as the LEEs I suggested, will be the swage type. I can't imagine the plating coming off if the bullet is lubricated before passing it through the die. One caveat, there are sometimes variances between the marked size of a die, and the actual dimensions. I'd size one to start with and measure it with calipers (a micrometer is preferred) to make sure you get the size you want. If it's not, you only have one bullet out of spec, and can easily recover from there.

 

[LeBur]

Cast bullet sizers swage the bullets to smaller diameters by passing them through a tapered die. While some of the old, old sizing dies actually cut the bullets, any recently manufactured dies, such as the LEEs I suggested, will be the swage type. I can't imagine the plating coming off if the bullet is lubricated before passing it through the die. One caveat, there are sometimes variances between the marked size of a die, and the actual dimensions. I'd size one to start with and measure it with calipers (a micrometer is preferred) to make sure you get the size you want. If it's not, you only have one bullet out of spec, and can easily recover from there.

Thank You very much for clearing that up for me. I probably need to upgrade my old equipment. I shall "continue to persevere".

 

[fredj338]

I will bet you crack or damage the plating. The plating on some, like Berry's, is really thin. Why not just trade them off or sell them? DO I assume you are trying to use these in a 44-40? Check the cyl throats &/or slug the bbl, you may find a larger bullet works.

 

[jag312]

I have .44 caliber (.429) copper plated, 200 grain bullets from Xtreme Bullets. I resize them in a Lee .427 sizer. They come out just a hair over .427, and I use them in loading .44-40. Never had a problem. The copper plating is perfect after resizing.

 

[358156hp]

I'm confident that a trip through a 427 sizer will simply polish the bullet in the areas that contact the die. Copper plating is thin, but it is still copper, and copper is malleable. Being plated, it is permanently attached to the bullet. Besides, how do you think the factories make plated bullets all the same diameter anyway? Hint:
Rainier Ballistics, LLC | Restrike

 

[Alk8944]

If you are loading for a .44-40 and it is a new production replica the groove diameter is probably .429, not .427, and a .430-.431 bullet is fine. If it is an older gun, and cartridges loaded with the bullets you have will chamber readily in the gun they will be shot in then you can still use them as-is. You may be looking for a solution to a non-existent problem.

The concerns of slightly over-size bullets increasing pressure are greatly exaggerated. Can they increase pressure, of course, slightly. They will not cause a dangerous increase unless it is in a high-pressure cartridge which is already loaded to maximum pressure levels.