Paper patch sizers

[Brad]

I have someone who is getting into paper patching. He wanted a way to size bullets down before rolling them.
I made a .307, .302, and .301 sizer along with a pusher that is a snug fit in the .301 sizer.

I found a faster way to complete these. I discovered that running the lathe at a higher RPM let me get a better finish and take a heavier cut. I also finish the outside dimensions, cut the part off, then drill. I don't cut the threads until the last step. I have it down to about an hour per die. Much of that is the final trial and error polishing.

 

[Ian]

Soooooo, how do we order?

 

[S Mac]

Very nice.

 

[Brad]

Soooooo, how do we order?

Watcha need buddy?

 

[Ian]

I've wanted .301" sizer and punch for years. Maybe we can work something out on one?

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
Nice work Brad. I do like people who will get their fingers into the need. That is a super encouragement to press on.
Mike in Peru

 

[Brad]

I've wanted .301" sizer and punch for years. Maybe we can work something out on one?

Tell me where to send it. With my bullets it is actually just under .301. Like .3008.

Need a pusher too?

 

[Ian]

Yes, all of the Lee and Perfesser's punches I have are are either way too large or small for .301".

 

[Brad]

Ok, can work on that later. Gotta get my ribs off the smoker and deliver a couple racks of them to the parents and in laws.

I have a few ideas on making one a bit different I want to try.

 

[Ian]

I'm your huckleberry!

One of the problems with Perfesser's punches is they aren't quite long enough to push the bullet all the way through the sizing portion of an H-die, so the next bullet has to do it, which blunts the nose and really pops the bullet out of the die due to trapped air being compressed between them. The Lee dies don't have this problem because the sizing portion is shorter than an H-die and even their short punch is plenty to push a bullet clear through the sizing portion. Long punches are good!

 

[Brad]

Long is a mixed blessing. I find that when much sizing down is being done that being towards the top to the ram stoke gives the most power. I accomplish that by backing the die out a bunch.
I agree though, using a bullet nose to shove a bullet out is a good way to damage a bullet. It also leads to small dimples in the center of a gas check from the nose of the next bullet.

How does this look?

 

[Brad]

In the bottom photo you can see a dark ring down the bore of the die. I back drill from the top with a larger drill so the bullet doesn't make contact with the side walls in any meaningful way. I do this to a depth of 2 inches so the lead in taper and sizing portion are only 1 inch long. The taper is better than 1/4 inch. This greatly reduces the effort to size a bullet. It also means I have a bunch less to polish and lap to final size.

 

[Brad]

OK Ian, I can't get any closer to .301 than this. Heck, alloy variation will make a bigger difference than .0001.

Should be 2 packages going to the PO tomorrow.

Enjoy them guys.

 

[Ian]

 

[Brad]

That's the fact, Jack

 

[S Mac]

I'll second that.

 

[smokeywolf]

Brad, if you're using 4140 you should be able to run at about 120 SFM with a .003-.006 depth of cut and about a .003 per revolution feed for a finish cut. For roughing cut your spindle speed in half, double your depth of cut and triple the feed rate. Always plenty of cutting oil or a spray mister.

 

[smokeywolf]

Forgot to mention, nice work all around. Knurl, threads, stampings all look great. Should have seen the my first effort at using letter stamps; spacing and angles were so far off, barely looked like roman alphabet.

 

[Brad]

Those are made from 12L14. Man that stuff machines nice. The push rods are 1144.
I have a little 4140 bit haven't used it much. I like making Star dies from O1 but it isn't near as easy to work with.

I am using .025 deep cuts at 1100 rpm with a carbide insert. It leaves a decent finish and doesn't seem to have any issues. I am running pretty slow feed, I like the finish it leaves. Finish cuts are usually done with a specific ground HSS bit, t does leave a better finish.
In the past I was running 500 rpm and .015 depth of cut. Took forever.
Parting off I am finally getting the hang of. No more angled cuts, no more fear.

 

[Brad]

Forgot to mention, nice work all around. Knurl, threads, stampings all look great. Should have seen the my first effort at using letter stamps; spacing and angles were so far off, barely looked like roman alphabet.

Thanks, that means a lot.
As confidence builds I get better and better. Lots of good info on the net, just have to wade thru a bunch of junk to find it.