I have used mine to size and not lubricate bullets a bunch.
Don't Push IT! Magma STAR Lubsizer Repair!
- Thread starter seagiant1
- Start date
I'd be all over a heavily-discounted Star myself.
I have four specific uses for PC:
1) I want to have an option available if my thin TL coat becomes a problem in a suppressor;
2) They are pretty as all get-out;
3) I like to learn how to do stuff;
4) Learning how to PC was a very much needed distraction over the holidays and it was seriously fun.
I PC'd a bunch of different bullets just for giggles, but mostly ones I intend to use in a "can." If it turns out I don't need PC for the can (all sub-sonic from a single-shot 357), then I probably won't keep doing it. I also love the look on peoples' faces when I tell them, "I swear, there's lube on that bullet, now load them and shoot them!"
Tumble-lube advances pretty much put my Lyman 45 on a back shelf. I've TL'd for a long time, but within the last ten years, I've done almost everything that way.
But, there is this "thing;" I still like the feel of a dirty, greazy, blackened single-action revolver. When I wipe one down after shooting a bunch of 429-421s through it, with the gooey, old 50/50 Alox/Beeswax lube, it leaves a protective coating and a sheen and aroma, which feel and smell natural and "right." But, I do detest using my Lyman 45 - seriously. I'd be all over a Star, and would possibly even lube more bullets in the traditional manner if I had one. What's not to love about a cloud of burnt Unique or 2400, mixed with the smoke from gooey, greazy lube blowing back in your face after each shot. Truly, I love that.
I have four specific uses for PC:
1) I want to have an option available if my thin TL coat becomes a problem in a suppressor;
2) They are pretty as all get-out;
3) I like to learn how to do stuff;
4) Learning how to PC was a very much needed distraction over the holidays and it was seriously fun.
I PC'd a bunch of different bullets just for giggles, but mostly ones I intend to use in a "can." If it turns out I don't need PC for the can (all sub-sonic from a single-shot 357), then I probably won't keep doing it. I also love the look on peoples' faces when I tell them, "I swear, there's lube on that bullet, now load them and shoot them!"
Tumble-lube advances pretty much put my Lyman 45 on a back shelf. I've TL'd for a long time, but within the last ten years, I've done almost everything that way.
But, there is this "thing;" I still like the feel of a dirty, greazy, blackened single-action revolver. When I wipe one down after shooting a bunch of 429-421s through it, with the gooey, old 50/50 Alox/Beeswax lube, it leaves a protective coating and a sheen and aroma, which feel and smell natural and "right." But, I do detest using my Lyman 45 - seriously. I'd be all over a Star, and would possibly even lube more bullets in the traditional manner if I had one. What's not to love about a cloud of burnt Unique or 2400, mixed with the smoke from gooey, greazy lube blowing back in your face after each shot. Truly, I love that.
seagiant1
Active Member
Hi,
Well, I slowed down, got my Opti-Visors and a good light and yes the punch threads are 1/2"X27TPI!
Which is another problem, because my 1940's Clausing Lathe, does not have the gearing for threading 27TPI...
It has 26 and 28, but no 27, soooo....
I will have to buy a tap and die set, but not that expensive, about the price of a Punch from MAGMA anyway and with the Tap and Die, I can make as many as I want.
Probably make a 3 size set to fit the bases of different boolits!
Well, I slowed down, got my Opti-Visors and a good light and yes the punch threads are 1/2"X27TPI!
Which is another problem, because my 1940's Clausing Lathe, does not have the gearing for threading 27TPI...
It has 26 and 28, but no 27, soooo....
I will have to buy a tap and die set, but not that expensive, about the price of a Punch from MAGMA anyway and with the Tap and Die, I can make as many as I want.
Probably make a 3 size set to fit the bases of different boolits!
Amazon.com: 1/2-27 HSS Tap And Die Set， UNS Machine Thread Tap And UNS Round Thread Die Right Hand : Industrial & Scientific
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seagiant1
Active Member
Hi,
Yes, I was actually wanting to start the thread on the lathe and then switch half way to the die but that is not possible now.
I think I will put in a small knurl in the middle of the punch to help get a grip on it during adjustment.
I'm going to stick with using the tightening nut (instead of one piece) ordered the steel already, anyway.
We can easily have a thread on the punch and the die. I would put it in The machine projects section.
I have made dies from scratch but prefer to get the blanks from Keith. He does the major material removal and That saves me time. He also gets the critical dimensions right every time.
I have made dies from scratch but prefer to get the blanks from Keith. He does the major material removal and That saves me time. He also gets the critical dimensions right every time.
No not hardly. Rumor has that Magma is a year out on catching up with orders. Is that true? Dunno but it's certainly possible.
I agree, a Star just to size PC bullets would be a huge expense. I already had o e so it makes sense?
I use Lee type push thru sizers a lot, I like them whenever sizing down more than .002. Most of my bullets are sized closer to loading than casting so they have some time for hardening and I don’t like stressing the Star.
I use Lee type push thru sizers a lot, I like them whenever sizing down more than .002. Most of my bullets are sized closer to loading than casting so they have some time for hardening and I don’t like stressing the Star.
A Star just for sizing? Never even heard of such a silly thing.
Yep, I use this. No need to rub it on the bullet, just a very small amount on your fingers as you pick up the bullet and put it in the die is all it takes.
Mowgli Terry
Active Member
Star: In not sure I understand this obsolete business. I really don't understand using a Star to size before PC'ing. While one citizen sizing for PC'ing another with a Star can size and lube 500 bullets. It's a done deal.
Opinion: I've shot many. many rounds using 50/50 and never had grease fly everywhere. Smoke? I also shoot blackpowder. Smoke is nothing. Sticky? Learn how to handle your lube. If your lube is runny use something else. Rocket Science. To me there is much "so whatness" to the benefits of PC.
With leading I need to get back to the drawing board to figure what I am doing wrong with this bullet and gun. Doing all this is what conventional bullet casting is all about for many people. This kind of bullet casting and lubing is open ended with something to learn always.
Don't misunderstand me. PC is highly useful and successful process for finishing out lead bullets. I might say the same for cast lubricated bullets-it's worked well since the advent of breech loading firearms.
Opinion: I've shot many. many rounds using 50/50 and never had grease fly everywhere. Smoke? I also shoot blackpowder. Smoke is nothing. Sticky? Learn how to handle your lube. If your lube is runny use something else. Rocket Science. To me there is much "so whatness" to the benefits of PC.
With leading I need to get back to the drawing board to figure what I am doing wrong with this bullet and gun. Doing all this is what conventional bullet casting is all about for many people. This kind of bullet casting and lubing is open ended with something to learn always.
Don't misunderstand me. PC is highly useful and successful process for finishing out lead bullets. I might say the same for cast lubricated bullets-it's worked well since the advent of breech loading firearms.
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seagiant1
Active Member
Hi,
I think everyone should own a copy of Veral Smiths book on Cast Bullets.
A LOT of leading problems can be traced back to bullet fit, which leads back to molds and sizing/lube!
I think everyone should own a copy of Veral Smiths book on Cast Bullets.
A LOT of leading problems can be traced back to bullet fit, which leads back to molds and sizing/lube!
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Winelover
North Central Arkansas
I don't see the advantages to PC-ing, other than an attempt to obtain jacketed velocities out of cast bullets. Certainly, not work saving if you need to size and check. Might be a cost savings if GC-s can be taken out of the equation.
I purchased 500 PB 9mm TC powder coated bullets from a vendor on CB. He offered them in .357 as well as .367 diameter. I opted for .357 since I size my conventionally lubed bullets to .3585 for 9mm. I ran ladder tests with multiple different powders, with fast to slow burning rates. I shot them all though a CZ Scorpion carbine at 60 yards. Groups were no better than my conventionally lube bullets, at times worse.
Since I have my own range, with a sand berm, I recover most all my lead. Upon sifting, I could easily pick out the black colored PC-ed bullets. No expansion, compared to similar designed conventional lubed bullets. Powder coating, fully intact even where the rifling engaged..............similar to jacketed or plated bullets.
Needless to say, I abandoned all thoughts to PC-ing after trying them out.
I purchased 500 PB 9mm TC powder coated bullets from a vendor on CB. He offered them in .357 as well as .367 diameter. I opted for .357 since I size my conventionally lubed bullets to .3585 for 9mm. I ran ladder tests with multiple different powders, with fast to slow burning rates. I shot them all though a CZ Scorpion carbine at 60 yards. Groups were no better than my conventionally lube bullets, at times worse.
Since I have my own range, with a sand berm, I recover most all my lead. Upon sifting, I could easily pick out the black colored PC-ed bullets. No expansion, compared to similar designed conventional lubed bullets. Powder coating, fully intact even where the rifling engaged..............similar to jacketed or plated bullets.
Needless to say, I abandoned all thoughts to PC-ing after trying them out.
The one other use I perceive is the possibility of keeping a suppressor "clean," which is also a first for me. It may or may not be necessary, but during the long wait, I had time to do some PC to have on hand to experiment with. This is actually my main interest in it, and I have yet to determine if it's even necessary.
I am a rank amateur at PC'ing, and I am sure there are better/easier/faster ways to do it than how I am doing it, but the way I DO do it IS work/time-intensive, even skipping the gas check. Much more so than tumble-lubing.
Since I was "shaking" and "baking," I cast and coated samples of all of the bullets I use regularly just to experiment a bit with velocity in some, otherwise I am perfectly happy with my very low effort/time tumble-lube AND the results I get from them. I won't mind seeing if can step it up a bit to flatten trajectories in my rifles, but if the accuracy degrades too much, I'll abandon that idea.
PC'd bullets ARE pretty though! Gotta give them that.
seagiant1
Active Member
Hi,
My main reason, for mentioning it, is the info on bullet fit ,to the barrel, and how...
Not one size really fits all, starting when or if you even order, the right size mold, that you need.
I think a lot of problems ,never raise their head, if the bullet fits the barrel (correctly)to begin with?