Sizing Cast Bullets from 9mm to 8mm (.323)

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ScubaSteve99

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Hey y'all, I just picked myself up an 1892 Ordnance Revolver, often called a Lebel revolver. I intend to handload for this pistol, and already have some loads I've researched as well as brass. I want to use cast bullets for their cost effectiveness, but the only 8mm cast bullets I can find are for rifles. I've been looking at getting a .323 bullet sizing die to size 9mm bullets intended for 38 S&W down to 8mm for my 1892. Is this too big of a jump in size or would it be workable? Thanks!
 
I cast and size. But I wouldn’t have a clue. One question what happens to the excess lead. Where will it go, the bullets are going to weight the same as the did before sizing the lead had to go somewhere. regardless .?IMO
 
IMG_20190930_181716.jpg Here is what happens if you try .358 down to .314. 323 may go but will probably have a slight hollow base from the excess lead being forced down over the push through rod.
Might be easier to take a .314 bullet drop in a .323 bullet sizing die on a steel plate and hit it with a punch to bump it up to .323.
 
Get a cheap 2 hole Lee .314" aluminum mold, and cast a bullet with an old worn out .22 bore brush that's (more or less) centered in in the mold, with the threaded part sticking out of the base.

Chuck the brush base in a drill, wet, then coat your cast bullet with Comet cleanser and spin the drill. You may have to repeat a few times, but eventually your mold will start casting properly sized bullets.

It'd be best to research this project some before you attempt it, but it's not that difficult.
 
There are bullet molds available, Old West Bullet Molds has one for that revolver. I have in the past bought molds, cast as many bullets as I thought I’d ever shoot and resold the mold at a reduced price.
 
You can’t size a bullet down more than .006 without an ugly piece of flashing hanging off the rear of the bullet. Sizing down .03 would result in one ugly looking bullet and probably take at least 4 different sizing dies since you wouldn’t be able to do more than .08 at a time without serious effort.
 
I second Accurate Molds. If I were you I would send Tom an email with the design of a 36 cal design you like (or any caliber for that matter) and ask if he could do it in .323.
 
Doing it in steps with several of the Lee push through sizers would work OK but would be a time drain. If you cast getting a mold would be a better thing time wise. Seriously, how many times do you plan on shooting this revolver. Just buying some lead bullets might be actually be cost effective at low shooting volumes. Only you can figure that with the above options for guidance. Let us know what way you go.:)
 
I have sized down some jacketed bullets from .323" to .318". But I did it in steps of about .003". Different then OP, but same thinking. If you sized down a 9mm cast bullet (approx .356") .033" you probably wouldn't have any lube or crimp grooves left. It would probably have to be done in a few steps and/or using a soft alloy bullet and you would probably need a hefty press that's strong enough for swaging. I guess you could PC the radically sized bullets...
 
There is a fellow, that advertises in 'handloader', named Hadley in Seymore, Texas that probably knows more about old or obsolete cartridges than any ten people should. He doesn't do e-mails or have an internet site but it will be worth the effort to find his phone number and give him a call.
 
If you can't fin any I think Random 8 has a good idea
Something like this and cut them in 1/2 giving one FN and a wadcutter
upload_2019-10-3_6-12-33.png
 
It's been a while since I last posted updates on this but I ended up decided to get the Old West bullet mold. I have yet to cast any as I got some graf jacketed bullets for Christmas and have been using those for now
 
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