Sizing press bang for the buck....

rjrivero · November 23, 2011, 12:14 AM

I started doing some casting, and I would like to get a sizing press. I would like to get the best "bang for the buck." What do you recommend for a single stage press to be used to size bullets? I load on a Dillon 650, if that matters. Never had a single stage.

Thanks in advance.

RJ

GP100man · November 23, 2011, 07:49 AM

It`s a toss up between what color ya like & how deep ya pockets are !

Really though the RCBS & Lyman are basically the same & dies/top punches interchange.

If ya shoot alot of 1 type bullet then for more money you have the Star ,it`s more money but once ya have it set up IT`S TWICE AS FAST since you handle the bullet one time .

For lube needs there`s only 1 place to go ,White Label Lubes , ya can`t beat the price or performance of Glenn`s lubes !!

grubbylabs · November 23, 2011, 09:10 AM

I have herd inconsistent reviews of the RCBS and the Lyman but I have never herd any thing bad about a Star.

Vance · November 23, 2011, 12:11 PM

I've never had any problems with my Lyman 4500 lube/sizer.

PawPaw · November 23, 2011, 12:22 PM

On the other hand, I use a Lee sizing kit in my standard reloading press. Works great, no problems, easy-peasy. I don't use stick lubes anymore, simply tumble everything.

Hardcase · November 23, 2011, 04:19 PM

I'm with Vance. My 4500 has served me well, although I have to admit that lately, the only thing that I size is .357.

jaguarxk120 · November 23, 2011, 04:33 PM

I'm with Vance too, we size from .311 to .458 with no problems.

grubbylabs · November 23, 2011, 04:45 PM

I use the same method as PawPaw. So far it seems to work out just fine. I do 44 mag LSWC plinkers at 800fps and 270 RNFPs and 1,200 fps. I have also shot that same bullet out of a 444 at 2,100fps. I also shoot 45 cal and 45-70 the same way. So far it has gone very well. The lee sizers work very well and they even seat your gas checks. At $20.00 a piece that's pretty good.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · November 23, 2011, 08:07 PM

If you shoot alot, then the Star is the best bang for your buck.
You will have more time to shoot rather than at the loading bench lubrisizing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW0XVAhRIe0

TXGunNut · November 23, 2011, 08:49 PM

For boolits with deep lube grooves I use a 4500 and SPG. For my TL boolits I like the Lee and LLA until the freebees that come with the dies run out, then I may use the White Label stuff. Lee setup is hard to beat for the $ if you have a single stage press, not sure what it would take to use it on your 650. Pretty sure an extra toolhead and some imagination with the shellplate could make it work.

Paul B. · November 25, 2011, 04:38 PM

Well, I have Lyman #45, 450 and 4500 luber/sizers. The #45 has been converted to size a long (Lyman #311284)bullet nose first as sizing it in the converntional manner causes then to bend and ae thus ruined. I use it ti size the bullet but not lube, Then I use the 450 to lube using a die .001" larger than what the bullet was sized. So I size that 220 gr. Lyman bullet to .310" and lube with a .311" die.
FWIW, when I plan on heat treating a bullet, I size it to what I want first then treat and quench. The bullets are then lubed in a die .001" larger that what I sized the bullet too.
Some say sizing ahquenched bullet kills the hardening process. Some say I doesn't. I'm inclined to go with the former.
On bullet lube, it seems to me that they all work quite well. Probably the NRA fformula is one of the best but it's a bit messy and the smell isn't aall that pleasant. Not bad butI don't care fot it. I still use that lube though because it works. Some other good ones are the LBT Blue, I've used the soft version and Lyman's magic Orange. Felix lube is good stuff but you have to make it yourself. You can do a search on Cast Boolits for the recipe. Even the softer lubes require a heater for the luber/sizer when the temp gets down to about 70 degrees. A spare threaded rod for the tool is mighty handy to have on hand should you break one and believe me, you will if you cast long enough.
Paul B.
Paul B.

November 23, 2011, 12:14 AM	#1
rjrivero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,399	Sizing press bang for the buck.... I started doing some casting, and I would like to get a sizing press. I would like to get the best "bang for the buck." What do you recommend for a single stage press to be used to size bullets? I load on a Dillon 650, if that matters. Never had a single stage. Thanks in advance. RJ

November 23, 2011, 07:49 AM	#2
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	It`s a toss up between what color ya like & how deep ya pockets are ! Really though the RCBS & Lyman are basically the same & dies/top punches interchange. If ya shoot alot of 1 type bullet then for more money you have the Star ,it`s more money but once ya have it set up IT`S TWICE AS FAST since you handle the bullet one time . For lube needs there`s only 1 place to go ,White Label Lubes , ya can`t beat the price or performance of Glenn`s lubes !! __________________ GP100man

November 23, 2011, 12:22 PM	#5
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	On the other hand, I use a Lee sizing kit in my standard reloading press. Works great, no problems, easy-peasy. I don't use stick lubes anymore, simply tumble everything. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

November 23, 2011, 04:19 PM	#6
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,909	I'm with Vance. My 4500 has served me well, although I have to admit that lately, the only thing that I size is .357. __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

November 23, 2011, 04:45 PM	#8
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	I use the same method as PawPaw. So far it seems to work out just fine. I do 44 mag LSWC plinkers at 800fps and 270 RNFPs and 1,200 fps. I have also shot that same bullet out of a 444 at 2,100fps. I also shoot 45 cal and 45-70 the same way. So far it has gone very well. The lee sizers work very well and they even seat your gas checks. At $20.00 a piece that's pretty good. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

November 23, 2011, 09:10 AM	#3
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	I have herd inconsistent reviews of the RCBS and the Lyman but I have never herd any thing bad about a Star. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

November 23, 2011, 12:11 PM	#4
Vance Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2011 Location: North Bend, OR Posts: 743	I've never had any problems with my Lyman 4500 lube/sizer.

November 23, 2011, 04:33 PM	#7
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	I'm with Vance too, we size from .311 to .458 with no problems.

November 23, 2011, 08:07 PM	#9
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	If you shoot alot, then the Star is the best bang for your buck. You will have more time to shoot rather than at the loading bench lubrisizing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW0XVAhRIe0 __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

November 23, 2011, 08:49 PM	#10
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	For boolits with deep lube grooves I use a 4500 and SPG. For my TL boolits I like the Lee and LLA until the freebees that come with the dies run out, then I may use the White Label stuff. Lee setup is hard to beat for the $ if you have a single stage press, not sure what it would take to use it on your 650. Pretty sure an extra toolhead and some imagination with the shellplate could make it work. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

November 25, 2011, 04:38 PM	#11
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Well, I have Lyman #45, 450 and 4500 luber/sizers. The #45 has been converted to size a long (Lyman #311284)bullet nose first as sizing it in the converntional manner causes then to bend and ae thus ruined. I use it ti size the bullet but not lube, Then I use the 450 to lube using a die .001" larger than what the bullet was sized. So I size that 220 gr. Lyman bullet to .310" and lube with a .311" die. FWIW, when I plan on heat treating a bullet, I size it to what I want first then treat and quench. The bullets are then lubed in a die .001" larger that what I sized the bullet too. Some say sizing ahquenched bullet kills the hardening process. Some say I doesn't. I'm inclined to go with the former. On bullet lube, it seems to me that they all work quite well. Probably the NRA fformula is one of the best but it's a bit messy and the smell isn't aall that pleasant. Not bad butI don't care fot it. I still use that lube though because it works. Some other good ones are the LBT Blue, I've used the soft version and Lyman's magic Orange. Felix lube is good stuff but you have to make it yourself. You can do a search on Cast Boolits for the recipe. Even the softer lubes require a heater for the luber/sizer when the temp gets down to about 70 degrees. A spare threaded rod for the tool is mighty handy to have on hand should you break one and believe me, you will if you cast long enough. Paul B. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION! Last edited by Paul B.; November 25, 2011 at 04:44 PM.