Resizing lead bullets

slickpuppy · July 31, 2000, 05:20 PM

Hi everyone,
Well I finally replaced my stolen model 29 with a Redhawk. Part of the deal was a bunch of unsized lead semiwadcutter bullets.

I have never done any bullet casting and probably won't do it anytime in the near future. Would it be worth it to buy a sizing rig for the .44 magnum?

I also shoot .38 special lead and .32 S&W Long lead wadcutters, but buy the bullets already sized.

Is anyone selling unsized lead bullets at a huge discount to warrant buying a sizing rig?

If it won't get much use, who's should I consider purchasing?

Thanks

beemerb · July 31, 2000, 05:34 PM

If you are not going to cast or use special size cast bullets just buy allready sized.I don't even know of anyone selling unsized bullets unless its for a old black powder cartridges rifle.

------------------
Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.

schlickenmeyer · July 31, 2000, 10:40 PM

Well, if you have access to a press of any kind, I think I paid $15 (new) for my lee sizer. Good luck.

[This message has been edited by schlickenmeyer (edited July 31, 2000).]

Paul B. · August 1, 2000, 06:18 PM

Slickpuppy. What is the size of your unsized bullets? Are they already lubricated? If they are lubed, they may already be suitable for reloading. If they are between .429 and .423 inch they should be usable. I size all my .44 caliber bullets to .431, if that is any help.
Paul B.

slickpuppy · August 1, 2000, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Paul, I don't have the unsized bullets handy but will check them with the caliper and see if they are within that range. They are unlubed.

Schlick, thanks for the input on the Lee tool. I generally stay away from their stuff, but, $15.00 won't break the bank.

beemerb, thanks. As mentioned, the bullets were part of a package deal. I hadn't seen oversized lead bullets for sale anywhere I had looked.

Quantrill · August 2, 2000, 12:05 PM

I think Paul B. means .429 thru .432 (not 423). Quantrill

Paul B. · August 3, 2000, 10:58 AM

OOPS! Thank's Quantrill. My blind two fingers strike again. You're right. That should have read .432. Is my face red? Yup.
Paul B.

Quantrill · August 4, 2000, 12:56 PM

Paul B.
My daughter is dyslesic. For years I have always checked numbers for being in the right order. Old habits die hard. Quantrill

slickpuppy · August 4, 2000, 03:00 PM

Paul,
I saw the numbers you posted and thought you meant .432

No problem.

I did check out a few of the unlubed unsized bullets and they aren't the most uniform.

They range pretty much all over the map between .4295 and .432 unlubed.

Paul B. · August 5, 2000, 11:44 AM

Slickpuppy. Maybe you can find someone in your area who casts bullets and have them lube and size them for you. Looking at the variation in size, I would consider sizing the to .430. That shouldn't hurt the .432's too much and the .4295's will lube OK without too much problem. If you were close to Tucson, I'd run them for you. That's about all i can think of.
Paul B.

slickpuppy · August 5, 2000, 05:44 PM

Thanks Paul. Much appreciated.

July 31, 2000, 05:20 PM	#1
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Hi everyone, Well I finally replaced my stolen model 29 with a Redhawk. Part of the deal was a bunch of unsized lead semiwadcutter bullets. I have never done any bullet casting and probably won't do it anytime in the near future. Would it be worth it to buy a sizing rig for the .44 magnum? I also shoot .38 special lead and .32 S&W Long lead wadcutters, but buy the bullets already sized. Is anyone selling unsized lead bullets at a huge discount to warrant buying a sizing rig? If it won't get much use, who's should I consider purchasing? Thanks

July 31, 2000, 05:34 PM	#2
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	If you are not going to cast or use special size cast bullets just buy allready sized.I don't even know of anyone selling unsized bullets unless its for a old black powder cartridges rifle. ------------------ Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed. I'm old and deceitful.

July 31, 2000, 10:40 PM	#3
schlickenmeyer Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2000 Location: mn Posts: 150	Well, if you have access to a press of any kind, I think I paid $15 (new) for my lee sizer. Good luck. [This message has been edited by schlickenmeyer (edited July 31, 2000).]

August 1, 2000, 06:18 PM	#4
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Slickpuppy. What is the size of your unsized bullets? Are they already lubricated? If they are lubed, they may already be suitable for reloading. If they are between .429 and .423 inch they should be usable. I size all my .44 caliber bullets to .431, if that is any help. Paul B.

August 1, 2000, 07:39 PM	#5
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Thanks for the feedback everyone. Paul, I don't have the unsized bullets handy but will check them with the caliper and see if they are within that range. They are unlubed. Schlick, thanks for the input on the Lee tool. I generally stay away from their stuff, but, $15.00 won't break the bank. beemerb, thanks. As mentioned, the bullets were part of a package deal. I hadn't seen oversized lead bullets for sale anywhere I had looked.

August 2, 2000, 12:05 PM	#6
Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 725	I think Paul B. means .429 thru .432 (not 423). Quantrill

August 3, 2000, 10:58 AM	#7
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	OOPS! Thank's Quantrill. My blind two fingers strike again. You're right. That should have read .432. Is my face red? Yup. Paul B.

August 4, 2000, 12:56 PM	#8
Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 725	Paul B. My daughter is dyslesic. For years I have always checked numbers for being in the right order. Old habits die hard. Quantrill

August 4, 2000, 03:00 PM	#9
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Paul, I saw the numbers you posted and thought you meant .432 No problem. I did check out a few of the unlubed unsized bullets and they aren't the most uniform. They range pretty much all over the map between .4295 and .432 unlubed.

August 5, 2000, 11:44 AM	#10
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Slickpuppy. Maybe you can find someone in your area who casts bullets and have them lube and size them for you. Looking at the variation in size, I would consider sizing the to .430. That shouldn't hurt the .432's too much and the .4295's will lube OK without too much problem. If you were close to Tucson, I'd run them for you. That's about all i can think of. Paul B.

August 5, 2000, 05:44 PM	#11
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Thanks Paul. Much appreciated.