Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

How do sizer/lubricators work?

Dean Cascio
I know this is a dumb question but I've had a bullet mould for a while and I am finally thinking about trying to cast my own. How does a sizer/lubricator work? Are they bullet diameter specific, or do they have some form of interchangeable die to give different bullet diameters?
Dean


If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?
0

Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • perry shooter
    Hello a bullet sizer luber is most definitely bullet dependent you have a die that sizes the bullet to the right Diameter and works like a sizeing die in your reloading press to size the case however there is one very important differance the die sits in a compartment on the luber and there are very small holes that are dilled from the out side of the die wall to the inside of the die wall. the operation on all sizers EXCEPT' a "STAR" is you put a bullet on the top mouth of the die then use a lever to press the bullet down into the die and then you crank lube into the press around the die thru the holes in the die and into the grooves of the bullet then you release the pressure of the lube from around the die and push the bullet back up out of the die . This works but to do 100 bullets takes time . HOWEVER if you spring for a STAR luber you lave a die and a punch to push the bullets into the die but this is where a star SHINES the lever that pushes the bullet down also works a pump to squeeze the lube in and now for the good part the next bullet pushes the first out the bottom of the die you can do about 50 a minute . The cost of a new or used star is high but once you use one all the rest are like plowing with a horse instead of a tractor
    0
  • heavyiron
    Everything Perry says is true.

    Then again, not all cast bullets require sizing. IMHO,sizing should only be done if absolutely necessary. In some cases, sizing a bullet can actually reduce accuracy. Depends on the gun and the specific requirements for your type of shooting whether you size or not.

    There are also less expensive alternatives to sizing and lubricating. The Lee tumble lube system works extremely well with or without sizing. It can be a little messy sometimes, but the output of lubed cast bullets compared to a lube-sizer can be much higher, especially if no sizing is performed. The Lee system can produce can produce some very accurate loads.

    Regards,

    Heavyiron

    bullitt_county_4199_small.jpg
    "If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix
    0
  • bpost
    All the above is accurate. However, sizing helps make the bullet round as the molds wears or is not perfectly aligned during the pouring process. Lee tumble lube molds are designed to eliminate the sizing process and still work just fine. An advantage to the Lyman/RCBS type sizer can also seat gas checks for use on many hot pistol and most rifle cast bullet designs.

    Overall, casting is safe and an enjoyable addition to the enjoyment of the shooting hobby, go for it and never look back.
    0
  • Dean Cascio
    Thank you for the help.
    Dean

    If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity