Lee Bullet Lube and Size Kit

[ExtremeX]

I need to get one for .38 Special / 357 Magnum...

They seem to have 3 sizes that apply...

.356
.357
.358

How does one correctly figure out what to size their lead cast bullets at?

In genera I see .357 for plated, and .358 for lead from commercial vendors, should I just follow the same?

[fal_762x51]

Whatever your pistol bore slugs at plus .001.

[ExtremeX]

I just watch a couple videos and did some reading on slugging the barrel… seems to make sense.

Thanks

Now I have something else to do before I can do the thing I wanted to do

[rsrocket1]

FYI
Typically .356 is for 9mm/380ACP and only if you really have a .355" 9 or 380 barrel. Mine slugged at .3545", but many 9mm guns are closer to .357 and using a .356 cast bullet will lead the barrel quickly.

[Bill Steele]

If you have a revolver, you might what to measure the throats in the cylinder as well. You can get everything dialed bore and bullet size wise and have it undone with a tight throat or two. Kind of a built in sizer.

[Whiterabbit]

Whatever your pistol bore slugs at plus .001.

If you have a revolver, you might what to measure the throats in the cylinder as well. You can get everything dialed bore and bullet size wise and have it undone with a tight throat or two. Kind of a built in sizer.

Both. It's a gun, like any tool. It is your responsibility to learn it. Even though IMO your job is to slug the cylinder throat and size to that (NOT the bore!), I suggest you still slug and measure the bore anyways. I do as well.

Name of the game is learn your gun. Are the cylinder throats smaller than the bore? Are they the same size? all good to know to maximize accuracy.

Unless you are just blasting away at 10 feet, in which cause you could probably shoot twigs and bark and be just fine.

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If its a rifle, I'd probably start with bore size + .001 and go from there if I wasnt getting accuracy or if I was leading a bunch.

[Whiterabbit]

BTW that does mean if you are loading for a revolver, and you slug the cylinder throats at .359, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend you buy the 358 sizer and hone it out to .359 with some sandpaper and a drill.

[fal_762x51]

I did not even think of the throats! Good catch!