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Old December 16, 2001, 04:56 PM   #1
slickpuppy
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Sizing Bullets - Getting Started - What To Buy?

I have been pretty disenchanted lately with my cast bullet supplier and his QC, or lack thereof.

I am thinking that a better way to play is to buy oversized bullets and size them down to an acceptable diameter. BTW, these are for target/range plinking use.

I plan on getting started with 9mm and using .357 diameter bullets.

Do you think I should try and get "raw" bullets? By that I mean bullets that have yet to be sized to .357 and lubed? Or, should I buy already sized and lubed and just squeeze them down?

So, what do I need to buy?
1. A sizer - thinking of the Saeco/Redding.
2. What accessories for the sizer?
3. More lube?
4. What else?
5. Have I lost my mind?

Thanks for the feedback...and btw, I know number 5 is valid.
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Old December 16, 2001, 07:00 PM   #2
Bill Adair
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Slick,

Why not try another supplier first? Oregon Trail is one of the best, and has a web page with prices listed. They will also send free samples on request.

I've been using their bullets for years, and have yet to find a defective bullet in the many thousands I've reloaded.

Their customer service is also outstanding.

http://www.laser-cast.com/

Bill
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Old December 16, 2001, 08:33 PM   #3
slickpuppy
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Bill,
I go through over 1000 bullets a week. Those prices would eat me alive with the shipping charges.
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Old December 16, 2001, 08:34 PM   #4
swifter...
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If you are able to obtain bullets that are lubed/sized, but a bit large, why not get a Lee sizer, around $15, mounts to your press and works really well.
Saeco/ Redding, RCBS, and Lyman are "lubrisizers", and meant to size and lube cast bullets.
Just a thought...

Tom
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Old December 16, 2001, 08:36 PM   #5
renaissance7697
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Why Bother?

I had always used FMJ for 9mm. (Round nosed)!
I decided that I wanted to try lead insted.
I had some 38 Super (=.358)
I used them "as is" in 9mm Cases (traditionally 9mm > .356)
They worked just fine.
( Mine were D&J )
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Old December 16, 2001, 08:50 PM   #6
slickpuppy
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Why Bother?

For Ransom Rest work.
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Old December 16, 2001, 10:43 PM   #7
Bill Adair
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Slick,

Wow, that's a bit more shooting than I do!!!

I can see why you want less expensive bullets.

Bill
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Old December 16, 2001, 11:00 PM   #8
slickpuppy
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Swifter,
I wasn't ignoring you at all. I have seen the Lee gear, and, to be quite honest with you I was a bit concerned with the equipment accuracy and durability. I have used other Lee stuff in the past and it has left much to be desired.

My main concern here is repeatable, measurable accuracy with the gear I select and its durability. That is number 1. The price of the gear is not.
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Old December 16, 2001, 11:17 PM   #9
DO2
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Try National Bullet Co. cast bullets. The cast bullets available locally were too soft and the lube was very gummy. I've been very pleased with NBC.
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Old December 17, 2001, 03:10 PM   #10
slickpuppy
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Well

Considering how inexpensive it is, I went ahead and bought one of the Lee kits for .356 diameter.

I will be curious to see how it performs. I will try it out on some lubed and sized .358 and .357 bullets and see what happens.
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Old December 17, 2001, 04:55 PM   #11
dick w. holliday
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i've got 2 lyman sizer/lubers and the Lee sizers but do you know which one i use the most----the answer lately is none of them--i just use the Lee tumble lube on whatever bullet i'm making and shoot them unsized...This may not work for you but as an example i cast the Lee 125 tumble lube bullet (you won't beleive how many i can turn out with two of their six cavity molds)--i shoot this bullet unsized in my 38 super/38-357 Smith 586/9mm in Glock..........just remembered--i also shoot a fair amount of cowboy with my 44Spec/44mag pistols and rifle--and shoot a Lee 240 gr RN again unsized in an assortment of rifles and pistols.....

As far as cost--if you can get scrap lead from somewhere like i do--i feel that my bullets are free--so therefore--i figure my cost to shoot a round is the cost of the primer and the powder only......

I did use the sizer lubers the other day to make some rounds for my 45-70.....so they are not totally unused-----by the way if you buy Lyman or RCBS sizer lubers--the dies are interchangeable.....

Dick
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Old December 17, 2001, 05:02 PM   #12
dick w. holliday
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forgot to mention--if you're in the South you need to find the Valiant bullet company--We buy 125 gr for $19.00 per 1000...i cast just because i've got the stuff but for their prices--i'd never start.......Dick

PS-- why don't people put their location on these boards..if big brother wants you he'll find you--
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Old December 17, 2001, 07:06 PM   #13
slickpuppy
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why don't people put their location on these boards..

Why? Thieves more than anything.

So far I haven't had any luck searching for Valiant.

Thanks for the tips!
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