I learned something today! In order to find a correct diameter bullet for my 8x51K whose barrel measures .320, I bought a Lee bullet sizer kit. I had never used one of these before and was very skeptical about sizing .323" jacketed bullets down to .320". I was pleasantly surprised that sizing required almost no effort and certainly much less effort than needed to size and lubricate cast bullets. So, kudos to Lee. I might even try sizing .323" bullets down to .318 for my J bore Mauser.

I use one to size .429 bullets to .423 for practice loads in my 10.75x68.
I wonder if 32 spcl bullets would even need sizing to work in you 8x51?

I used on to size .430 300gr to 416 in one pass.

If I did it again I would add a middle size.

But it worked without it.

.003 is nothing for jacketed bullets. Like, a hair.
Way back in the dark ages before we could get 9.3 bullets, I used to size .375 down to .366; in a die I made, on a Rock Chucker with extended handle. Easy. I used STP for lube.

RGR---why don't you try .321 bullets designed for the .32 Win. Spl.? Could probably use them as is unsized.

Hip

Thank you for the suggestions to use .32 Special bullets. I'm sure they would work just fine, but I never do things the easy way. I thought I would use a 150-grain bullet in hopes of slightly better performance from the small cartridge. Anyway, the rifle is just a toy. In addition to sizing bullets, cartridge cases will have to be formed and loading data developed from scratch--all satisfying and enjoyable endeavors.

That is a Great attitude!

Enjoy yourself!!!

Hip

quote:

Way back in the dark ages before we could get 9.3 bullets, I used to size .375 down to .366; in a die I made, on a Rock Chucker with extended handle. Easy. I used STP for lube.

I do the same now, to size .510” bullets down for my .505 Gibbs, also in a crude die I made…but I use Imperial die sizing wax, works pretty good.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
.003 is nothing for jacketed bullets. Like, a hair.
Way back in the dark ages before we could get 9.3 bullets, I used to size .375 down to .366; in a die I made, on a Rock Chucker with extended handle. Easy. I used STP for lube.

Exactly!

I ran tests on bullet diameter.

Having a CNC lathe makes this very easy.

I made bullets that varied in diameter, in the basic .375.

0.370 to 0.380 in 0.001 increments.

As as mentioned above, plus or minus .003 made absolutely no difference.

Smaller ones got loose in the case, larger ones would not chamber!

Yep easy job. Below is a die I made to take 416 Hornady's down to 411 for my 400 H&H.

We made dies that size .277 caliber bullets down to .264 for a friend who has thousands of .277 bullets and no rifle.

But he has a 6.5x55.

Is there a bullet sizing die kit that would size .30 cal (.308") jacketed bullets down to 7 mm (.284")?

I would just make one out of two .284 lee dies.

I would take one and polish it out to around 296 and use the the other .284 to finish them.

quote:

Originally posted by buffybr:
Is there a bullet sizing die kit that would size .30 cal (.308") jacketed bullets down to 7 mm (.284")?

From the old Corbin website.

"BRD-1-S bullet reducing die can reduce a lead or jacketed bullet by up to .006 inches (greater reduction can cause extrusion of the base over the punch, distortion of the bullet, and excess springback of the jacket)".

If you can do it, you can do it. But you might end up with a sub-par product.