| Posted: Thu Nov 19th, 2009 01:16 PM |
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Bill_inBouse
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Guys, in Midway's master catalog #23 on page 457 Lee has a Lube and size kit. Being retired and watching the penny this looks like a good alternative to purchasing a completely separate system like the RCBS Lube A Matic.
I've cast my own black powder 44 and 54 cal bullets for years but would like to get into some RN 45 acp.
Is this equipment from Lee worth the money for what it is? Being retired time is not a problem, so I don't need to size several thousand an hour.
Your thoughts please.
Bill
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19th, 2009 01:25 PM |
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2nd Post |
Rockydog
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I use one in .311 and it works just fine. In fact some guys prefer them as they size nose first while most of the lube sizers size base first. I haven't use the Lee lube as I've been pan lubing but that seems to work well for some folks too. You might want to check for threads over on the cast boolits. see below, Rockydog
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=62842&highlight=lee+bullet+sizer
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19th, 2009 05:34 PM |
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daboone
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They work great for me. The biggest issue is they don't lube so you gotta pan lube or go with LLA. The only problem I have with LLA is it gums up the bullet seating and crimp dies. That said I have learned to live with LLA especially for hangun fodder. I use my 450 more frequently for rifle.
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19th, 2009 07:38 PM |
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Bill_inBouse
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Excellent Rockydog, looks like just the answer to a poor retired guy. Have the order in now!
Bill
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20th, 2009 12:02 AM |
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miestro_jerry
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I have several of these Lee Sizers, they work well on most bullets,but I use Xlox, instead of the Lee Alox. I get it from this place:
http://www.lsstuff.com/lube/liquid-x.html
I do have the 6c Lee 45 ACP mold, TL452-200-SWC, these bullets do shoot well for me, but the ones I cast with my Lyman 452374 molds gives me more accurate bullets, I have both the 2c and 4c molds for this LRN.
You can get quality while on a budget.
Jerry
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20th, 2009 12:26 AM |
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daboone
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+1 for Xlox. Xlox is cheaper than LLA and White Label has other great lubes as well.
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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20th, 2009 12:45 AM |
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Thecyberguy
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I have not used these, but I was just looking at them. I used to cast for 38 years ago and thought i might fire things back up and do some 44's for my red hawk.
I found them here. I have bought quite a lot of Lee stuff from these guys and always had good service. Not sure how the price compares to Midway, but in the past they have been good.
http://factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/lubesize.html
Have a good 'un, Guy
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20th, 2009 02:28 AM |
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miestro_jerry
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Factory sale is 25 cents cheaper than Midway.
Either way, this is a good viable system for those who don't need to use high speed lubes or do some insane volume sizing like me.
And I still use the Lee system, even thou I have a Star Sizer for 90% of my casting.
Jerry
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| Posted: Fri Nov 20th, 2009 11:48 AM |
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Bill_inBouse
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Excellent information guys. I especially appreciate the links to other shooting sites and stores. I've bookmarked them all.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 21st, 2009 09:06 PM |
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Thecyberguy
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Jerry....you didn't by any chance check shipping at each , did you?
Guy
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Support our troops.....they are someone's kids.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 03:49 AM |
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miestro_jerry
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No I didn't check shipping, maybe I should have. I try to have these suppliers use flat rate USPS for shipping, so it would be the same.
I know Midway is really good on shipping costs, Here is Factory Sales contact point:
http://factorysales.com/html/xcart/help.php?section=contactus&mode=update
Most places that ship within the 48 states have become pretty much flat rate. My FedEx Ground is flat rate for all the stuff I have to ship thru them.
Jerry
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| Posted: Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 05:50 PM |
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miestro_jerry
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The Midway Flier for December showed up in the mail yesterday, the Lee Sizers are on sale for $13.49
Plus they have some 6 cavity molds for 9mm, 44 and 45 on sale as well as the mold handles.
Remember we do try to support Midway.
Jerry
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| Posted: Tue Nov 24th, 2009 12:27 AM |
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cedarswamp1
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I use these fer my .44 and .454 yer supposed to lube before sizing and then again after. I found this to take to long waiting fer the LLA to dry so improvised and use Dawn dishwashing liquid fer the pre-size lubing. Works great as a sizing lube and washes off easily under warm water
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| Posted: Tue Nov 24th, 2009 02:11 AM |
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Charley
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One more point in favor of the Lee push thru...it is very easy to open up a sizer to whatever diameter you wish. Lee will do it, of course, but more money, and the way they are backlogged, a BUNCH more time.
I've got a .424, a .332, and a couple of others for odd sized stuff.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 24th, 2009 04:34 AM |
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miestro_jerry
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I have several over sized Lee sizers. Some I have made and some I purchased.
If you need to widen one and have a drill press and a machinist vise you can widen your own. Get a cotter pin or cotter key, thread some 600 grit fine to 320-400 grit medium sand paper thru the split. Chuck up the cotter key and put the sizer die dead center to the cotter key in the vice. Using low rev and checking the progress often you can widen out your Lee sizer die. I really recommend a set of digital calipers for doing this, when you are .001 to .002 near the diameter you want switch over to an ultra fine emery paper this should polish the die out.
Go very slow and check your work often, you can take metal off easily, but it is very hard to put it back on.
With this method if you need a very exact diameter, you can make it easily. I have one that is .309 from the factory, but it is now a .3096
Jerry
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| Posted: Mon Dec 14th, 2009 06:04 PM |
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Bill_inBouse
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Guys, Thanks for all the advise. finally had the opportunity to use the Lee sizer. The 45acp RN came out of the mold at .4525 To large to cycle in the Colt. Put through the Lee sizer and they came out right at spec. 451. Loaded three into sized cases (no primers)and cycled the action by hand. OAL of 1.275.
Now I have to wait for the lube to dry again before finishing.
Wish I'd re-read cedarswamp's hit about using dish soap the first time around
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| Posted: Wed Dec 16th, 2009 08:19 AM |
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Rickster
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I think the Lee size/lube kits are just great. I use them for several bullet diameters and have also switched to the lsstuff liquid lube mentioned by Jerry. It's just as good (or better) than the Lee product at a fraction of the cost. For most of the shooting I do with cast bullets I've found a coating of liquid lube to be adequate. I have also found that filling the lube groove(s) with conventional lube before tumble lubing with liquid products will allow higher velocities without leading. This technique has worked for me with both 357 and 44 mag SWC cast bullets. The down side to this process is the added time needed to process bullets. None-the-less, with the price of gas checks skyrocketing I've found it an alternative worth trying.
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21st, 2009 06:04 PM |
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Old Fart
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I've used them since way back when I got started.
Haven't had any real problems with them at all.
Got started casting because I couldn't afford ready-rolled.
Found it to be an enjoyable addition to my hobby.
While not all my casting stuff is Lee, it has performed quite well.
Plus with those cost I can afford more components to shoot more.
Spend it how you like.
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