Non-caster question

mav · Post by **mav** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:05 am

I don't cast bullets and it's not an option right now. Has anyone ever bought unsized bullets and lubed or sized and lubed them yourself?

Here's the skinny. I finally got around to slugging the barrel of my 44 mag 1894CB. It measures .431". The local commercial caster only has .429 and .430 sizing dies. He says the bullets are .433 "as cast".

His alloy is 15BHN. Would .433 be too big for my barrel?

Any insight would be appreciated.

GTKF · Post by **GTKF** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:58 am

My understanding is you want to be 1 thousandth over the bore size. You could buy a Lee .431" sizing die for your press. I assume Lee makes a .431 die.

Oregon Trail makes 44s in .431" that should work for you. I buy them and use the Lee die to bring down to .429.

Hope that helps

Ken

mav · Post by **mav** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:51 pm

GTKF,
Thanks, I was checking Lee's sizer dies, their standard sizes are .429 and .430. I believe you can order custom sizes. Not too expensive either. Oregon Trail's prices have really jumped, of course everyone else's have too. The price difference between the unsized local bullets and Oregon Trail's would pay for the sizer die. Thanks again.