Lee molds dont require sizing?

[Dark Mod]

Is it true bullets cast from lee molds dont require sizing? this is blowing my mind for some reason.

Speaking of sizing, Should i cast at .001 over the diameter i intend to size at, or should i cast the same diameter?

For example: If my bore is .356, should i cast at .358 to size to .357 or just cast at .357?

[klewan]

.001 over bore diameter is usual way to do it. If the mold drops them at that size, and are tumble lube style, don't need to size them. Read up on the powder coating bullets technique. Now they are just putting bullets in a container, add the powder coat, shake and put into a convection oven. They aren't screwing around with DIY racks to hold the bullets and provide an electrical path for the powder coat gun to work.

[CalTeacher]

.001 over bore diameter is what you want and yes, sometimes boolits from lee molds don't require sizing...but that's only if they drop at the proper size.

[M1NM]

Have a Lee 9mm tumble lube mold 124 grain. Also have a sizer but haven't needed to use it.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

I am told you can size up to 0.002" with good results.

If your bullets are no more than 0.002 oversize, you can also skip sizing. As the bullet is forced into the barrel, it is swaged to fit. This works particularly well with softer bullets. I wouldn't try it if you're using a hard alloy.

[rsrocket1]

The definitive answer is maybe
It's important to slug your barrel. That will tell you what size bullet will be to small and cause leading. Many euro 9mm barrels are bigger than .356 so beware. My M&P9 barrel slugged at 0.3545" and has a tight chamber and throat so the precautions were in the opposite direction, an unsized fat bullet will not pass the plunk test.

Most of my Lee molds drop about 0.001" to 0.002" fatter than spec'ed. My TL452-230-TC drops at 0.453", my 401-175-TC drops at 0.4025", my 358-158-RF drops at 0.360" and the 356-120-TC drops at 0.358". That's good because I can actually shoot these 9mm bullets in my .357 revolver unsized as well as my 9 after sizing.

At first, I was sizing everything before loading, but I've found that with the truncated cone bullets, if I seat to the edge of the cone, I could use unsized bullets, taper crimp the flare out and iron out the bulge with the Lee FCD. This goes against the typical warnings of FCD haters who state that the FCD swages lead bullets to the point of making them too narrow but with an already narrow bore, my bullets are a perfect fit without the need to run them through a sizer. Since I load on a Hornady LnL AP I already have the extra station for the FCD.

Your alloy and pour temperature also make a difference in your bullet size. Most are cut to drop at spec'ed size -0/+0.002" with #2 alloy. Pure lead will usually drop fatter, hot alloy will tend to shrink when cooled.

Hope that's as clear as mud.

[Whiterabbit]

personally, I find it more valuable to know what the throat is, not the bore. Your range is bore diameter up to throat diameter. If your throat is .313 and your bore is .307, you can bet that those .312 bullets you load and shoot are .307 when the come out the muzzle!

you can adjust for what you think is right or what shoots best. Tinkering is the spice of our hobby. I find that throat size is the closer answer though.

[Germz]

personally, I find it more valuable to know what the throat is, not the bore. Your range is bore diameter up to throat diameter. If your throat is .313 and your bore is .307, you can bet that those .312 bullets you load and shoot are .307 when the come out the muzzle!

you can adjust for what you think is right or what shoots best. Tinkering is the spice of our hobby. I find that throat size is the closer answer though.

how do you measure your throat, accurately?

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

how do you measure your throat, accurately?

Cerrosafe would be one way. Slugging it would be another. Obviously need a slug that is larger than the OD of a loaded round. Don't forget to lube it up real good.

Disclaimer.... I've never used either method.

[Whiterabbit]

I use a bullet and slide it into the throat. should hold by friction (without lands contact) and need gentle pressure (like a rod) to push out. Even .001 over that though, I bet would be fine. It's gonna size down the moment you hit it with 60 ksi

Anyways, I've had good luck with a light friction fit to the throat. And it beats hammering a sinker through the barrel.

[Whiterabbit]

with respect to thread title, I suppose not sizing is the holy grail, but I find I always have to size. I do hear of others not sizing though.

[Germz]

Yes, I my 358-158-RNFP lee mold drops exactly at .358 from all 6 cavities. my other two lee molds require sizing though.

[Pablo5959]

I have been using a .358-105 SWC and sizing with a .357 sizer for my 9mm sig and 92fs. I really like this bullet, makes a nice clean hole. You would think the wad cutter wouldn't cycle in the 9 but they work great. I only opened the .356 sizer and used the alox out of it but never used the sizer. So don't waste your money.

[bohoki]

i run mine tthrough the lee sizer just so i can find the occasional undersize ones

[Ninask]

I believe you should resize,
I am not convinced the mold produces the same size every time,
fluctuations in heat may cause some variations, which is why sizing is still required