Help with cast bullet sizing

[CWKNOX]

This dark side is dragging me deeper down the rabbit hole. I now want to start casting bullets and was wondering what size sizing die dia. would you recommend for my T/C .50 cal.?
at the muzzle it measures .501 on the lands and .512 in the groves. Accurate mold # 50-350E or 50-350 V is what I'm looking at. Your thoughts are appreciated. the molds mentioned re for conical bullets.

 

[Kansas Jake]

I’ve always shot .490 patched round balls in mine so can’t be much help. I got a TC round ball mold and a TC Maxiball mold when I got my TC Hawken 40+ years ago. I cast round balls and about 25 maxi balls way back then. I still have most of the maxi’s around here somewhere.

 

[bassncrap]

.490, .495 but the more experience fellas here will correct me

 

[longcruise]

Lee makes a .501 push through sizing die. You need a reloading press to use it although you could probably come up with some other way to push them through.

https://leeprecision.com/new-lube-size-kit-.501.html

 

[CWKNOX]

Thanks I have an rcbs that will work for that. So, my question now is, when ordering a casting mold should I specify a .501 or slightly larger and size to .501?

 

[ohio ramrod]

I always cast my conicals a little over size and then run them through a sizing die to assure exact size.

 

[longcruise]

It depends on what you order i suppose. Most mold makers will guarantee the smaller end of a requested size. If your bore is right on 501, that should be specified as the absolute minimum size acceptable. Keeping in mind that you must specify the alloy since different alloys will cast different sizes. Pure lead would be the best bet since adding a bit of tin would make it cast slightly larger. Any slightly larger size can be run through the sizer.

I don't shoot many conicals and most can be loaded as cast. Sometimes I powder coat and that requires sizing.

 

[JHB]

You want the lands to imbed them selves into the bullet. I would size close to .512. The lands will displace some mat. So a couple thousands smaller than .512 should be OK.

 

[CWKNOX]

You want the lands to imbed them selves into the bullet. I would size close to .512. The lands will displace some mat. So a couple thousands smaller than .512 should be OK.

Thanks for your input. Will sizing over .501 make it difficult to push the bullet down the barrel?

 

[JHB]

Sizing at .501 the resistance will be very slight. At .499 it will drop with no resistance. The closer to .512 the more resistance.

 

[Greasecookie]

When I do maxi balls for my rifles I try to size the body of the bullet to bore size, top of lands, and leave the front band as in cast diameter. But, as I think others have said, you need a lubrisizer to do that

 

[JHB]

I cast the Lee R.E.A.L. slugs they run .512 to a little less. They don't come out perfectly round.

 

[CWKNOX]

Thank you all for your insightful info

 

[harleysboss]

If I were you, I would order the accurate mold 50-415i. It’s a proven design out of many different TC 1-48 rifles. Get the 501 Lee sizer. Order the mold at .501 + tolerance. Your mold will be no smaller than 501 but will most likely be closer to.503. With pure lead you will probably not have to size them. 80 grn of your favorite FFG, a dry 54 cal wool wad followed by your bullet ( lubed with a soft , not runny, lube). Should put a bit of a smile on your face.

 

[harleysboss]

If you want to, you can go over to the sister site of modern muzzleloader forums and look on page 3 of the sidelock sub forum. “Finally got to the range today “ post covered the results of the 50-415i in a TC Renegade. There’s some sizing info that may be of interest.

 

[hrt4me]

I always cast my conicals a little over size and then run them through a sizing die to assure exact size.

which sizing die?

 

[ohio ramrod]

I make my own as I am a retired tool and die maker.

 

[morehops52]

I've shot maxis for 40 years with several rifles and never sized them. Never thought I needed to but I guess I was sizing them at the muzzle.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

If you have a conical that casts the diameter you want it's easy enough to pan lube them and save the cost of buying a 40 dollar sizing die. There are a couple of tricks to pan lubing than make it a lot easier than what you often read.

 

[morehops52]

If you have a conical that casts the diameter you want it's easy enough to pan lube them and save the cost of buying a 40 dollar sizing die. There are a couple of tricks to pan lubing than make it a lot easier than what you often read.

I've just started casting and lubing my own maxis. Any additional tips for pan lubing would be appreciated. I've had moderate success and am refining my mix ratio.