.460 bullet sizer, is it needed?

[FrankD]

Hi,
I will begin casting my bullets using the Buffalo Arms .460-500 grain bullet single mold. I am also going to pan lube the bullets. I want accuracy when shooting. I found a Lee sized at .460 but for a cast bullets they say buy one that is .001 larger "For cast bullets, you want to select a sizing kit to be .001 larger than groove diameter." Should I buy a lyman lubrisizer and forget about pan lube? Thanks Frank D

https://www.leeprecision.com/bullet-cas ... sizing-kit
Also see the APP press by lee for bullet sizing: https://leeprecision.com/app-automatic-processing-press

[Jim]

You MIGHT be able to get away with using the .460” diameter bullet WITHOUT buying a lubrisizer . . . . .IF you use pan lubed, pure lead bullets. It will “bump up” to fill the grooves.

Being a card-carrying skin-flint, I’d try that approach first . . . .then buy a lubrisizer and .461” die . . . .IF NECESSARY!

[Tom Trevor]

frank, Take Jims advise and cast then pan lube. If you have cast some of the bullets what is the diameter as cast? If not that is the first thing. I have found the Buffalo Arms molds do cast as advertised as far as diameter goes but just be sure before going any further.
Then fire form your cases if new so that they are fitted to the chamber. Then see if the bullet will slip fit into the case. If so gently size the case mouth so you get a couple of thousands neck tension and you should be good to go. From then on only partially size you cases for bullet fit.
I would suggest an alloy of 20-1 25-1 lead tin as the tin makes the mold fill out much better than pure lead.
Do let us know how things go.

[FrankD]

Thank you both for the great information, greatly appreciated.