lead bullet sizing/lubing dies

Site Notices

dodpilot Joined Apr 2017 Posts 73 EE 0% (0) IL, USA	Posted: 1/13/2023 8:13:31 PM EST Do the Magma Engineering lead bullet lube/sizer dies fit RCBS Lube-A-Matic press? Are most/all lead bullet sizer/lube dies "industry standard"? I understand that RCBS and Lyman lead bullet sizer/lube dies are 100% interchangeable, same external dimensions.

Tom-from-Michigan

Orwell was right.

Joined Apr 2007
Posts 1556
EE 100% (1)

MI, USA

Posted: 1/13/2023 8:24:30 PM EST

[Last Edit: Tom-from-Michigan] [#1]

I have a bullet sizer from Magma Engineering that I bought in the '90's. It's virtually the same as the Star sizer. It pushes the bullets through the die. There are several holes drilled through the dies. The instructions shows how to plug the unused holes with lead shot. The tool works great. Mine is mounted on a heater. It's quite fast. But, to answer your question, the dies are similar in appearance, but a different design.

Don't mess with the ants. They're well armed, they shoot straight, and there's more of them than you can imagine.

dodpilot Joined Apr 2017 Posts 74 EE 0% (0) IL, USA	Posted: 1/13/2023 8:31:40 PM EST [#2] What lube/sizer press do you use for lead bullets? My lube/sizer die is a "505 Star Sizer" die. I bought it from Magma Engineering. I wonder if it'll fit in RCBS press. Everyone is closed until Tuesday. -- CS

d4xycrq Joined Dec 2008 Posts 1466 EE 0% (0) PA, USA	Posted: 1/14/2023 6:59:38 AM EST [#3] I thought they were all the same. Thankfully. I have a Lyman.

Tom-from-Michigan Orwell was right. Joined Apr 2007 Posts 1557 EE 100% (1) MI, USA	Posted: 1/14/2023 2:06:08 PM EST [#4] I also have a Lyman bullet sizer. It uses dies that have a rod in the center to push the bullets up and out of the die on the up stroke. I believe the dies for the Lyman and the RCBS sizers are interchangeable. I think the top punches are interchangeable too.
	Don't mess with the ants. They're well armed, they shoot straight, and there's more of them than you can imagine.

Tom-from-Michigan

Orwell was right.

Joined Apr 2007
Posts 1558
EE 100% (1)

MI, USA

Posted: 1/14/2023 2:31:55 PM EST

[#5]

I have both the Lyman and the Star. They use different dies. The Star is fast. I leave that set up for .45 ACP. I use the Lyman for everything else. The dies are easy to change in the Lyman. Powder coating seems to be a trend now. I have not tried that yet, but it looks easier to do. Magma had special bullet moulds to cast bullets without grease grooves. Those are for powder coated bullets.

Don't mess with the ants. They're well armed, they shoot straight, and there's more of them than you can imagine.

SteelonSteel

Joined Jul 2005
Posts 39633
EE 100% (6)

USA

Posted: 1/14/2023 2:35:09 PM EST

[Last Edit: SteelonSteel] [#6]

Star shank diameter is 0.75” and has a flange on top.

Lyman/RCBS lacks that ~~shank~~ flange and has a 0.7 diameter.

I don’t think you can run a star in a Lyman or RCBS.

You might get away with a Lyman/ RCBS die in a Star if you rig a collar in the o ring groove on the size die. Otherwise you would push the die out with the bullet if memory serves me right. Never tried it myself and this is speculation.

dodpilot Joined Apr 2017 Posts 75 EE 0% (0) IL, USA	Posted: 1/14/2023 3:47:08 PM EST [#7] Any idea why anyone would every want or need to plug some of the holes in the lube die with lead shot? Is that a technique to manage "over" lubing the bullet grooves?

Tom-from-Michigan

Orwell was right.

Joined Apr 2007
Posts 1560
EE 100% (1)

MI, USA

Posted: 1/14/2023 10:12:41 PM EST

[#8]

The lead shot is to plug the holes that are not in line with the grease grooves on the bullets. Otherwise, grease(really kind of a wax) would be pushed between the bullets and in crimping grooves. On the Star, a bullet remains in the die. A bullet is feed in from the top and the one that was in the die is pushed out. When the handle is pushed up at the top of the stroke, grease is force into the die and the grooves of the new bullet. Then the process repeats.

Don't mess with the ants. They're well armed, they shoot straight, and there's more of them than you can imagine.

lead bullet sizing/lubing dies

Precision Rifles » Reloading

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us