Can you use a Lyman or RCBS Lubrisizer with hollow base bullets?

41 Colt

41 Colt

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I can get a lubrisizer die from buffalo arms in my size to work with a Lyman or RCBS lubriszer. Can you use hollow base bullets with either of these lubrisizers? My bullets are also soft pure lead if that makes a difference.

Also do top punches need to be sized for the die? Can I use a smaller one?
 
The top punch should fit the nose of the bullet with the correct meplat and contour regardless of what you are sizing it to. so long as it fits the nose you can size it to whatever you like.

So far as hollow base bullets, if they have lube grooves, id think yes you could. after all the base of the bullet is getting forced down onto the extractor rod effectively sealing off the cavity in the base, and the pressure of the lube won't be enough to cave in the bullet either due to the inherent strength of its round shape. It should be fine.
 
I probably don't shoot more than 500 cast bullets a year but I haven't had any trouble size/lubing Lee improved minnies with my 450. I think that technique has more to do with whether any lube ends up under the bullet during sizing or not.

As far as the top punches go, in my limited experience, if you're casting pure lead you will want the proper top punch as it will give the most surface area contact and ensure minimal deformation or denting.
 
mikeystew said:
Right, what i was trying to say is you need to match the top punch to the boolit mold, not to the sizing die.
Click to expand...

How do you do that? RCBS and Lyman top punches just have a number, which I figured corrolated to the lubrisizing die.
 
41 Colt said:
How do you do that? RCBS and Lyman top punches just have a number, which I figured corrolated to the lubrisizing die.
Click to expand...

The top punches and their numbers are usually given with the mold info.

Are you talking mini-balls for a muzzle loader or hollow base bullets for a cartridge gun?

If you are using hollow base pure lead bullets you shouldn't have any reason to size unless you are looking for a quick and easy way to lube. The bullets bump up to fit the bore on firing and if they don't fit to seat them you need a smaller mold.

For that reason I doubt that the mold/bullet you are using will have a top punch number and you might have to go by trial and error or find someone with a lathe to make one up for you.
 
Hollow base for cartridge, looking for a quicker way to lube. I know I don't really need to size so I'll get a sizer the same size or even a thousandth larger.
 
Another easy way to make a custom top punch is buy one that is well oversized and scuff up the inside of the cavity well with a coarse dremel bit or sandpaper, then fill the cavity with JB kwik, or even hot glue (JB kwik is better, not JB weld as it takes too long and makes a mess). With it inserted in the lubramatic you slowly lower it down onto a bullet that has been coated in a generous layer of release agent like paste wax, or the real deal, until you feel it stop and straighten. Wipe away excess so as not to contaminate your sizer, and after 15-20 min the jb kwik will have set up like a rock. you pull out the bullet and file the edges smooth. Woila!
 
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