Sizing Cast Bullets

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Indiana

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • singlesix

    Grandmaster
    Industry Partner
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    May 13, 2008
    7,197
    27
    Indianapolis, In
    The short of it: for various reasons (OK the wife said "NO") I can't cast in my house or yard or the garage. I have a Parker Hale .45 Volunteer Rifle; recommended bullet is 560 grain .451. The closet available retail cast bullets are for the 45-70 at .458, so the question. Can I resize the .458 to .451 just using a .451 sizer die or do I have resize progressively, .458 to .456, .456 to .454, etc? I know Track of the Wolf has .451 cast bullets, trying to save some $$$.
     

    Old Dog

    Expert
    Rating - 100%
    2   0   0
    Mar 4, 2016
    1,376
    97
    Central Indiana
    I can't answer your sizing question but I have a question for your consideration. Assuming you already have the sizing press, you would only have to buy the sizing die(s). With that purchase and your time to run them through, would you really be saving any great amount of money? How many rounds will you be using over the next 5 years? It seems to me that it would be much more efficient to buy ones already sized. Just my thoughts.
     

    mac45

    Expert
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Feb 17, 2008
    756
    18
    Take a look over at castboolits. There's a few guys there that shoot Parker Hale's and Witworth's.
     

    Clay Pigeon

    Shooter
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    Aug 3, 2016
    2,740
    12
    Summitville
    For starters, Have you slugged the bore to see what diameter bullet is needed?
    That will tell you what diameter is needed.

    You could size 45-70 bullets down, but don't expect any accuracy at all. Each time you run a lead bullet in a sizer it has more and more chances of being swedged
    ( damaged ) more out of round than it already is.
    That's why lots of cast bullet shooters buy molds that drop bullets to the diameter that shoot well in there firearms. The term would be, shot as cast.
    I would suggest that you just order the correct bullets from track the wolf.

    And like suggested go and read on Castboolits.com, you might find a deal on bullets that will work for you.
     

    Leadeye

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Jan 19, 2009
    36,693
    113
    .
    Depending on the alloy of the store bought stuff .007 is going to take some armstronging so progressive is probably your best bet. Are the bullets available in pure lead, probably better for that period rifle. Accurate mold can set you up with what you want if you ever get the green light on casting. It's not that big of an issue, been doing it for over 40 years.
     

    djones

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    26   0   0
    Jan 4, 2011
    515
    18
    Greenfield
    You can easily size from .458 to .451. I do it all the time from .462 to .454. The key is to make sure that the lube grooves are full of lube before sizing down. This will keep the lube grooves from distorting in shape and losing lube volume.

    If the bullets are too hard to size as leadeye mentioned, you will want to try the following procedure to soften the alloy up to allow for easy sizing. Place bullets in an oven at around 400-425F. Heat them up for about 45 min to 60 minutes. If harder bullets are desired drop the hot bullets into a bucket of water. If soft bullets required remove from oven and allow to air cool to room temp. Once cool enough to handle place lube in lube grooves and size down to .451".

    PM me if you need any other help.

    David
     

    NKBJ

    at the ark
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Apr 21, 2010
    6,240
    149
    The store bought .45 rifle (.457-.458) cast bullets are going to have alloy content too hard for your rifle.
    The Volunteer is going to need a low tin percent lead alloy that will compress down its length (and get correspondingly fatter) when the powder charge kicks in the behind. A cast bullet like people usually shoot in a 45-70 needs greater hardness and that is what folks generally sell to the public.
    Me myself, I use soft lead of no particular alloy. My bore diameter is .458 so I shoot as cast. Soon will be shooting paper patched.

     

    Leo

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    30   0   0
    Mar 3, 2011
    9,733
    113
    Lafayette, IN
    I sized hard cast pistol bullets down 3-4 thousandths with not trouble.

    Have your checked with Dixie gun works for soft lead bullets for your rifle?
     

    singlesix

    Grandmaster
    Industry Partner
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    May 13, 2008
    7,197
    27
    Indianapolis, In
    Update: Got a Lee Hand Press at a gun show, ordered .451 die sizer from Track of the Wolf, .452 357 grain cast bullets. I sized a few and it wasn't that hard, pretty easy with the hand press, was worried that maybe a hand press wouldn't give enough leverage to drive the bullet through. Hope to do some shooting this weekend and have a good range report.
     
    Top Bottom