PSA - Lead Bullet Size

[roberth]

Check the size of the bullets you're buying to make sure they are correct, borrow a calipers or bring one.

I bought some 230g lead bullets at Tanner, can't remember who I got them from, and they are all oversized (.453 or greater) so I cannot use them. I'm going to melt them down and turn them into something useful.

[TFOGGER]

Might be cheap enoug to buy a lube/sizer and just take 'em down to .451...

[Madusa]

I'm with TFOGGER, you could probably run em threw a lee sizer without hurting the lube. $30

[roberth]

tfogger - thank you - i didn't know that - i'll check it out.

[Danimal]

tfogger - thank you - i didn't know that - i'll check it out.

Yup you can get the Lee one (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/116429/lee-bullet-lube-and-size-kit-452-diameter) for cheap and it will do a good job. Usually for cast bullets they are .001 larger than a comparable jacketed or plated bullet. If they are close to the right diameter, then you should not need to lube them again, just run them through the sizing die and load them up.

[J]

There are plenty of people who have loaded .453 unjacketed lead into a 45 just fine.

Most bare lead projectiles are oversized to begin with, .452 often. You may have trouble chambering if you have to bulge the brass too much to seat the projectile, but in any of my quality firearms under a modest charge I would have no problem shooting .453 bare lead if it chambered properly.

[sabot_round]

Yup you can get the Lee one (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/116429/lee-bullet-lube-and-size-kit-452-diameter) for cheap and it will do a good job. Usually for cast bullets they are .001 larger than a comparable jacketed or plated bullet. If they are close to the right diameter, then you should not need to lube them again, just run them through the sizing die and load them up.
^^^
This will actually work just fine, especially if they are over .453. Try to find someone in your area with the lee sizer and if not, I'll be here all day Saturday packing my final bags for my desert vacation, and your more than welcome to come and use mine.

SR

[sellersm]

Have you actually tried to load one? As has been mentioned, not much difference between .452 and .453... Some firearms may prefer that size!

[Zombie Steve]

I'd try them out first.

If you're worried about it and don't mind the drive, you can run them through my Star sizer. They'll come out at .452".

[paddywagon]

+1 on the Lee Sizer. I have actually recovered fmj's from the range, tumbled them and ran them through a lee sizer and shot them again with great results. The ultimate in recycled bullets!

[Not_A_Llama]

.002" oversize is often preferred, and barrels are often oversize, as well. Try it out first. "Ballistically swaged" isn't that big of a deal.

[roberth]

Have you actually tried to load one? As has been mentioned, not much difference between .452 and .453... Some firearms may prefer that size!

Yes, they stuck in both a P220 and a Trophy Match. I'm going to go the resize route. Thank you for all the input gentlemen.