Sizing die adaptor

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  • Last Post 08 February 2017
SierraHunter posted this 16 December 2016

The other day, I was looking for a .309” push through die to size down some .314” bullets for my 300 blackout. I don't have one of the Lee push through dies, so end up using my lubrisizer as a push through, but this got me thinking. Why not build a adaptor to use the lubrisizer dies in a reloading press as a push through? Should not be too hard to build, and then you would only have to buy individual punches, or even make them if you have a lathe.

Anyone ever tried this? I have not yet mastered threading on my lathe, or I would give it a try.

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Brodie posted this 16 December 2016

 Sierra Hunter,

I recall a fellow somewhere posting about altering his Lyman or RCBS sizer to a push through type like a Star.

If you made the adapter so that you just slipped the die you wanted to use inside the adapter you would not need to thread on your lathe.  just drill a hole large enough to accommodate the bullets you will be sizing , enlarge the bottom end to accept the die, do the same thing again and thread to take the “keeper ring” (like on a Lyman or RCBS sizer).  You could use 3/4"X7/8” all thread as your base and do the threading with a tap.  Have fun.  Brodie

B.E.Brickey

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SierraHunter posted this 16 December 2016

I suppose all thread would work. I might have a old junker die I can use as a donor. Maybe if it warms up a bit I'll have to give it a try. 20 below right now and machine room has no heat.

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David Reiss posted this 17 December 2016

This is a pretty good idea, but with the NOE push through sizer die with interchangeable bushings is the way to go, I think. With the individual bushings just under $10, I will probably liquidate my Lee PTs on ebay and go to the NOE for all those needs. Al can make the odd size bushing (and he is planning to expand the bushing line) or they would be simple enough to make. But until you could add the NOE die & bushings, then using the Lyman / RCBS dies is a neat idea. Seems to me if you could get a reloading die bored to fit the sizing die, then a threaded hole in the side of the die could accept a small set screw to just enter one of the lube holes, holding the sizer die in place. If that makes sense, it does in my mind. 

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
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SierraHunter posted this 17 December 2016

That's kind of what I was thinking, with the set screw. I've got access to the RCBS style dies in nearly every size imaginable, so build a adaptor and some punches seems like a good idea. I found a old 44 mag sizer die today, so I think I am going to give it a try as soon as the weather gets warm enough.

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GP Idaho posted this 17 December 2016

SH: I understand using what we have to accomplish our goals and the satisfaction of building what we need. I also think your idea will work.  That said, I'm a big fan of NOE products and their sizer is the way to go if you don't already have donor pieces to work with.  I size a lot of lead with out lube or with Dawn dishsoap when it's a must (I powder coat a lot of my bullets) and have found that the Lee dies will accept a larger bullet step down in one pass than the NOE that being their only advantage. Gp

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SierraHunter posted this 17 December 2016

I've seen the NOE system and it looks like. I have lees in most of the sizes I need, and the RCBS in every thing else.

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358156hp posted this 18 December 2016

"The Perfessor” on CB offered a screw in die & punches to allow using Lyman & RCBS sizing dies as  push throughs on a standard press. Pat Iffland reviewed them in “The Fouling Shot” #219. Unfortunately Keith is no longer making them or any other casting related items to my knowledge. Keiths design was ingeniously simple, and simply ingenious.

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SierraHunter posted this 18 December 2016

I'll have to look into this. If I come up with a good design that works well, I may offer a few for sale.

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Millelacs posted this 08 February 2017

Bump

 

Here's an adapter I had made up to use Lyman dies as push through dies.

 

Shown are:

Lee Hand Press

Adapter with cap

Lyman Die

Lyman Die pusher (removed)

6.5mm, 7mm, 30 cal, 8mm, 35 cal & 44 cal pushers

Lyman top punch

and 2 top punch adapters

 

Fouling Shot article to follow.

 

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SierraHunter posted this 08 February 2017

That looks good! I haven't even gotten a chance to mess with this idea yet.

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