Sizing Minies

[swoter]

I have a problem. I cast minies from a lee 575 500 grain mold, and they usually come out right around that. These work very well in my Hy Hunter Zouave, but last year I bought/traded for a Zoli Zouave and a Euroarms J.P. Murray carbine.
The Zoli and J.P. Murray mic out at right around 575 bore size. I get an occasional minie that will go in the bore, but most won't. I need a sizer that can get my minies down to 573, 574. Does anyone know where these are sold? Can't seem to find one on the web.
Failing that, I'll need a new mold, where would be a good place to look?

 

[scrat]

Lee is your friend.

Lee sells sizing dies in different sizes. If they do not have the size your looking for you can email them. They will make one for you. The cost is about the same as they sell the regular ones for. So its a win win situation

 

[sharps59]

http://northeasttradeco.com/ call john he has them in stock. makes them to fit a std reloading press. w/ 7/8" x 14 thd. do not beleive he lists them on his site. he will have any size you could want.

 

[AlexanderA]

The whole idea behind the Minie ball was that it could be made considerably undersized, relative to the bore. In loading the military muskets of the day, the powder end of the paper cartridge would be torn, the powder poured down the barrel, and the rest of the cartridge, meaning the paper-wrapped bullet, would be rammed down on top of the powder. Thus, there had to be clearance for the paper, and it still had to be loose enough to slide down the bore easily. Upon firing, the hollow base of the Minie bullet would allow it to expand to fill the rifling.

In your situation, I would get a smaller mold and not worry about sizing the bullets after casting.

 

[swoter]

I spoke to John at Northeast trading co, and will probably buy one of their sizing dies. I can get a 574 for 41.00, the 573 is a special and will be about 20.00 higher. After I mic my bore again to make sure. Thanks for the info and link.

 

[PapaG]

I made a sizing die for my Zouave by turning a blank 7/8 dia outside and threading it 7/8-14 with a collar to fit my loading press. I drilled and bored the inside for the bullet to go through and put a slight taper on the bottom of the bore. I then made a punch to fit the shellholder hole and to fit into the base of the minie. I started undersize and then opened it up gradually until the minies would take a nice little rap with the short starter to get them into the bore (also made a false muzzle also to keep them aligned). Not really in the spirit of the thing for a bullet/gun design to have the minie pretty well drop down the bore but it sure perked up the accuracy.
You might consider, if the minie is oversize, relieving the rifling at the muzzle slightly like TC does with their QLA modification (which I don't trust).

 

[Rebel Dave]

You can also get sizing dies made to fit a Lyman or RCBS Lubrisizors, from S&S Firearms In New York, Phn 1-718-497-1100.They make them for Szs .250-.590, in .001 increments, according to thier catalog. These are mainly what I use on my Minnies.

Just remember to use a lube that is compatable with Blk Pwdr, and to put some in the bullet lube in the base. Do not use modern Pistol/Rifle bullet lube, its too hard.

Johns (North East trade Co.) sizers work excellent also. I use them on certain bullets.

Johns "MCM" lube is real good minnie lube, Lots of N-SSA members use it.

The Lee sizers (I had some made) work well but I like Johns better. The Lee' are messier to use.

John also makes a gadget called the "inside/outside" bullet lubber, that works excellent with for lubing minnies before you size/load them. Use it on a hot plate. It lubes the bullet on the inside of the base, and the outside at the same time, by pushing the minnie down in it.

I have a Euroarms JP Murray that I shoot, it has a .577 bore, I shoot a pure lead RCBS Hodgdon mold, sized to .575 with 45 grns 3fff blk pwdr. The Lyman 575494 wadcutter also shoots well in the JP. These i also run thru .575 sizer. I use 40-45 grns 3fff blk pwdr also.

I have moded my JP a little by rewoking the lock parts (hardening them), I glass bedded the bbl, and made a taller front sight,soldering it in the original slot, and made a new rear sight with a peep in it that is also taller. They are N-SSA approved. It shoots well.

Hope this helps

Rebel Dave aka barrcudadave67 aka Dave C.

 

[BHP FAN]

Dixie has them.

 

[sharps59]

also check the bore size take 3 oversised minnies start it in the bore leave enough out to get pliers on it turn it 3/4 turn do this 2 3 of them mike them. get a sizer die .001 t0 .002 under the numer you come up with

 

[bonza]

Richard Doughty in Missoula, MT will make a LEE-type sizing die for $25 plus s&h. He is currently making one for me in .592" diameter. Contact him through his website doughtyent.com.

 

[swoter]

Ok, thanks for all the info. It'll be a lot more fun to shoot with proper size minies.