Bullet Sizing Dies from Lee
Casting bullets is economical and fun. Aside from the dangers of working with molten metal that also happens to be quite poisonous, when proper precautions are taken it's satisfying, fun, effective and inexpensive. Sizing can also improve accuracy of cast bullets. Both by increasing uniformity and improving starting pressures in the chamber. Sizing dies can also be used to apply gas checks.
When it comes to making sure your cast lead bullets are the right size, bullet sizing dies can ensure both correct and precise sizing and uniformity. Lee Precision makes sizing dies that can be used in most standard (7/8"-14) reloading presses. They're economical and work quite well. They're also a lot easier to use than manual sizing dies (which Lee also makes). If you're casting your own bullets, this is one of several options to ensure they're sized uniformly for your application. It's mostly likely the most economical option if you already have a reloading press. Other vendors such as Lyman and RCBS have sizing and lubrication dies that work only in their dedicated sizing and lubrication presses. Their dies are considerably more costly on top of the cost of the press.
Lee's bullet sizing dies do not address bullet lubrication. Lee recommends use of another product for that. Also the Lee solution is economical and while it certainly "gets the job done" nicely, it may not be the ultimate in precision. Solutions from Lyman and RCBS are much more costly, and do more with more precision. There are articles that detail polishing and improving the Lee dies. If you have such desire, simply buy the Lyman and RCBS bullet sizing tools.
One often confusing thing (especially to new reloaders) about Lee's bullet sizing dies is that they are sized by dimension not caliber. Here is a list of Lee bullet sizing dies and the corresponding caliber bullets they are commonly used for:
- Lee .224" Sizing Die: Used for .22 caliber bullets (such as .223 Remington).
- Lee .243" Sizing Die: Used for .243 caliber bullets (such as .243 Winchester).
- Lee .257" Sizing Die: Used for .257 caliber bullets (such as .25-06 Remington).
- Lee .264" Sizing Die: Used for .264 caliber bullets (such as 6.5mm Creedmoor).
- Lee .277" Sizing Die: Used for .277 caliber bullets (such as .270 Winchester).
- Lee .284" Sizing Die: Used for .284 caliber bullets (such as 7mm Remington Magnum).
- Lee .308" Sizing Die: Used for .308 caliber bullets (such as .308 Winchester).
- Lee .311" Sizing Die: Used for .311 caliber bullets (such as 7.62x39mm).
- Lee .323" Sizing Die: Used for .323 caliber bullets (such as 8mm Mauser).
- Lee .338" Sizing Die: Used for .338 caliber bullets (such as .338 Lapua Magnum).
- Lee .356" Sizing Die: Used for .356 caliber bullets (such as 9mm).
- Lee .358" Sizing Die: Used for .358 caliber bullets (such as .357 Magnum).
- Lee .400" Sizing Die: Used for .400 caliber bullets (such as .40 S&W).
- Lee .429" Sizing Die: Used for .429 caliber bullets (such as .44 Magnum).
- Lee .452" Sizing Die: Used for .452 caliber bullets (such as .45 ACP or .45 Colt).
- Lee .458" Sizing Die: Used for .458 caliber bullets (such as .45-70 Government).
- Lee .500" Sizing Die: Used for .500 caliber bullets (such as .500 S&W Magnum).
Please note that this list may not be exhaustive, and Lee Precision, the manufacturer of Lee reloading equipment, may offer additional or specialized sizing dies for specific calibers or applications.
Despite being well aware of the Lyman and RCBS (and others) bullet sizing gear, the Lee bullet sizing serves well for producing low volumes of bullets - enough to make ammo for Cowboy Action Shooting events. Their lubrication products work well too.
One word of caution when working with sizing dies. These are literally trimming your lead bullets. This means you'll have exposure to lead shavings and lead dust while and after using these products. Take precautions such as shielding your eyes, wearing gloves, and consider using a respirator or mask rated for lead dust. It's hard to get rid of lead in your environment, so consider covering surfaces in disposable materials.
The Lee Precision company website can be found here.
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