Truing 38 HBWC bases with a sizing die...

Hey all, 

I had pursued reswaging 32 cal Speer Plinkers into a precision H&N copy, courtesy of our own FC60 Dave and decided to see what l could do for 38s without a big swaging machine setup.

I have an old Lyman 45 sizer. It doesn't have a lot of leverage but it does have settable stops. 
I initially set it so the top punch bottomed out on the die top and adjusted the lower stop to give a repeatable length bump. Using Hornady 38s l got nice clean bases but also noticed there was a couple spots on the bas sidewall where it pushed into the lube holes and sheared as it was extracted. These bullets gave improved precision but l decided to shift the assembly up 0.100 inches and eliminate the spots. Pictures enclosed. Give a nice base with minimal sizing force. The only other thing I did was to use a lathe to flatten the sizing die pin. 

Try it, it's easy.

I don't understand your method/process.

You have a "Lyman 45 sizer" that you're using to resize .358" bullets?

Do you mean you're using a lubrisizer with a .358" die in it?

Or???

Lyman model No 45, predecessor to the 450 sizer, but yes using a 358 die.

Other brands/ models should also work.

I have 228 HBWC bullets (Hornady or Speer brand) measuring .355" in diameter. I have two Lyman bullet sizers and .358" lube/size die. What kind of pin did you use for expansion?

Hi there, There was to punted base pin. The top punch fit into the edge of the dome in the top of the bullet but I think most any thing would work. It didn't take much pressure at all to clean up the base so try it with whatever you have, just don't do too many at first.

I haven't RR tested these yet and the concept isn't proven. My limited free hand shooting at 50 yards was good.

Let us know what you find! Thanks

How about you start selling that bullet so's we all have a level playing field at the range Bruce?

snorl snork