Getting into bullet sizing, what system to use?

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ilikeoldguns

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I need to start doing some bullet sizing.

The two main methods I am seeing is the Lee system and the Lyman system. Are there others which are commonly available?

The Lee interfaces with a standard die thread and press, and also seems reasonable for custom sizing dies (I do need one for my .351 SL to size to .352).

The Lyman system is a standalone and proprietary system with a special press and collets (?) for sizing. The collets might be cheaper, but I saw no custom option and I have never seen a lyman sizing press. It can be heated (do I want that?) and looks like a single movement system; unlike the lee, which I understand I have to adjust up and down to size one bullet (am I wrong?).

I think if I went with Lee, I'd like to get another press though; a single stage, just to avoid swapping dies with my lyman turret press.

Eventually, I want to get into casting. Right now I need to size .358 bullets to .352/.353 for my 07SL and size a big box of .45C bullets which were turned out experimentally in .456.


Thanks for your time.
 
The Lyman (or interchangeable) RCBS system pushes the bullets through the sizing die base first - needs a specific nose die that matches the bullet that you are using. Installs lube and gas checks at the same time. Worn systems get the nose dies and body die out of line and you end up with sized "lob-sided" product.

Lee or NOE system pushes bullet through nose first, but needs a separate lubing procedure.

The STAR sizer / lubricator is considered the "cadillac" by many - sizes nose first push through, installs lube, no need for specific nose punches, but does need correct sized base punch.

I used to use a Lyman, but sold it. I have at least half dozen Lee push through - they are easy to open up a couple thousand's for worn or odd size milsurp bores. Most of my sizing is done with a STAR - dies and punches available though fellow out of Saskatoon that periodically advertises here on CGN.
 
Do you want just sizing or lube/sizing. Do you want something on the cheaper side or do you want a kick a$$ tool for life?
Lee is the cheapest option.
Star and Ballisticast are lubing and sizing (or just sizing if you want). They are bar none the best manual machines designed for this tasks. Easiest to work with and will outlast you. And yes, they are expensive.
Lyman, RCBS and Saeco are in the middle with pros and cons for each. They do a good job with proper maintenance and some tweaking.
You decide based on your needs. There are machines for every pocket or taste.
 
Really depends on the number of calibers, lube method and number of rounds.

You can put a lot through the Lee dies but pan or finger lubing is a pain after a few hundred. If tumble lubing its not a big deal.

The Lyman machine is nice if there are several sizes and thousands of each you want lubed and sized. Or gas checked.

I've never used the star type but if you do tens of thousands that probably worth the investment.

I also shoot a lot of mine unsized. A good mold and consistent casting methods keep them darn close even for serious shooting. Weighing will catch most of the oversized ones.
 
I have a Lyman sizer and also several of the Lee size dies. I use the Lee dies most of the time as I shoot mostly handgun. Tumble lubing is very fast and I can size a lot of bullets quickly. I've never done it but I understand you can also install gas checks with the Lee system.

The main advantage to the Lyman/RCBS system is that when it is equipped with a heater you can apply hard lubes that you can't put on with the Lee system. I do this for cast rifle bullets and higher velocity pistol loads that need better lubes and that I don't shoot in large quantities. It also does a good job of flush seating gas checks but it's definitely slower than the Lee.

Overall I'd say the Lyman system will do more things better than the Lee but it will cost a lot more money and is much slower.
 
Finally got back to this.

At the moment my interest is limited to casting what I can't get elsewhere or have trouble finding; the main item being projectiles for my .351 Winchester SL.

I will keep an eye out and see what i can pick up for cheap. I think I am a few years away from getting operational in this, but that's a pause I'm comfortable with. When i got into normal reloading, i started buying what i could here and there years before I made my first round.

Some of the info here was very helpful! Like the Lyman/RCBS heating thing. I was really puzzled by just what the heater in the unit would do. I think hard lube is superior in several ways, yes?

I think initially I would go with whatever I could find and then invest in a better unit later to last me for life and beyond.
 
Hard lube is not necessarily superior. I've had my best luck with high velocity cast using soft lube. To me the biggest advantages to hard lube are it's more durable and sticks in the grooves better if you put lubed book it's in a bag or container. Soft lube is sticky and pulls out of the grooves easier due to sticking to other boolits. Also it's usually carnuaba wax that makes the lube hard and this can help lube and protect a barrel. Leaves it super shiny just like when you wax a car. I've shot commercial cast and lined boolits that come with hard lube. They do that so the lube stays in the grooves when shipping. I've recovered fired boolits and they still have lube in the grooves, although not consistently around the boolits. If the lube flys out of the grooves unevenly when the boolit exits the barrel it will throw the balance off and cause flyers. A soft lube will expel all the unused lube evenly when the boolit exits the barrel. Leads to better accuracy in my experience.

Now back to your original question, as posted earlier, the NOE push through dozers are amazing. You can get them in any size you want. You can also set them up to just size the nose of a boolit down so the Orr riding section doesn't jam the lands too hard but the driving bands still fill the throat. It's a great system. Uses one body with interchangeable bushings for sizing. The sizes are perfect and the machining quality is crazy good for how cheap they are.
 
For LEE sizing dies I've made up my own sizing dia. by buying small and polishing/sanding them bigger with a bench top drill press with a 30cal patch holder.
For sizing lube on bare lead boolit's I use Dawn dishwashing liquid. Seem's to just wash off!!!
 
if you want to try sizing for low cost, a lee push through die is the cheapest way to go. lee will make any size you need. They didn't have a 6.5 die in their regular stock but had them make one shipped to Canada for about $50. Lots of sponsors here sell lee products too.
As others said Star is the Cadillac of the sizers and is on my wish list. I use a RCBS lubesizer as well as the lee and they both work good.
 
Watch out for lee stuff. I picked up a .357 size die and it sizes at .355. If I was to do it over again I would go NOE for sure. I just tried out my first noe bullet mould and it is very nice.
 
ilikeoldguns said:
I need to start doing some bullet sizing.

Right now I need to size .358 bullets to .352/.353 for my 07SL and size a big box of .45C bullets which were turned out experimentally in .456. Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

I don't think that you will be able to size more than 2-3 thou at a time so you may need additional sizers and do it in steps.
 
I have both systems.
The Lee system is cheap, but it works. Gas checks are not always on straight.
It is messy as grease is not properly put on all the bullets.
The Lyman system is expensive, but if you are serious it really works good and installs gas checks with no problems.
And the bullets are properly lubed.
I don't have a heater but that is not a problem.
I have never regretted buying the Lyman system,
Unfortunatly I will have to sell mine as I'm getting out of making 45-70's and 30 caliber lead bullets.
I have the dies for 45 and 30 caliber.
 
hometownhero said:
Watch out for lee stuff. I picked up a .357 size die and it sizes at .355. If I was to do it over again I would go NOE for sure. I just tried out my first noe bullet mould and it is very nice.
Click to expand...

Lee would like to know about this one. I suspect they would replace it if you notified them.

You are right about NOE. They manufacture high quality products and customer service is incredible.
 
10x said:
Lee would like to know about this one. I suspect they would replace it if you notified them.

You are right about NOE. They manufacture high quality products and customer service is incredible.
Click to expand...

Good idea. I shall shoot off an email to them. I have run some bullets as big as .361" after powder coat and they size down to .355" just fine
 
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