Sign up list for Mark II push thru bullet sizer set

[KeithB]

After getting some feedback from several members here I now have an updated and significantly improved push thru sizer set for sale. This sizer is designed to use Lyman or RCBS sizer dies and a conventional reloading press (must use 7/8-14 threaded dies) to size cast bullets.

The set contains the following items:
1 ram adapter to hold the pushrods
3 pushrods in the diameter of your choice
1 die holder body
1 O-ring style lock nut
4 guide tubes
1 cap/bottle adapter
and as a bonus
1 blank Lyman/RCBS sizing die (with 3/16" pilot hole) -- You can make your own sizing die --

Components of Mark II push thru sizer set


Here is what is included in the set. The pushrods shown are for .30, .38/.357, and .45 pistol bullets.


No tools are required to use this set. Here is how to set it up for use:
1. Snap the ram adapter into the top of the ram where you would normally snap in a shell holder.
2. Insert the proper size pushrod into the adapter, the O-ring on the stem makes it easy.
3. Put the bullet sizing die into the die holder body. The O-ring on the die should hold it in place. If the O-ring is damaged or worn a little bit of bullet lube or vaseline will work.
4. Screw the die holder body into the press. Raise the ram to the top of its stroke and screw the die body holder down until it almost touches the base of the pushrod. The pushrod stem is long enough (1.600") to push a bullet all the way through the die (about 1.550" long) so you don't damage the nose of a bullet by pushing it against the base of another bullet.
5. Snug up the lock nut to keep the die holder body in place. DON'T OVERTIGHTEN THE NUT.
6. Drop the proper size guide tube in place into the top of the die holder body. No guide tube is needed for .44 thru .50 caliber bullets.
7. Put the cap/bottle adapter on top of the die holder body. If you want to use a standard 28mm thread size soft drink bottle to catch the bullets simply screw it in place. I would recommend cutting the base off the soft drink bottle so it makes an open funnel. It is easier to get the bullets out that way instead of through the neck.
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Sizer set in press with soft drink bottle bullet catcher


No tools are needed to change calibers. The pushrods simply pull out/push in. The guide tubes can be swapped out by removing the cap/bottle adapter and then using your fingers to remove them. The sizing die can be pushed out from the top using a spare pushrod or by using the finger cuts to grab the die and pull it down and out.

Guide tubes can be easily removed with fingers or a small screwdriver


The finger cutouts on the die holder body allow easy removal of sizing die.


Everything that you will get in your package. The pushrods will be cut to order.


The price is US$65 with a $7.90 shipping charge. Shipments outside the USA are charged actual shipping charges plus $5 for having to deal with the extra paperwork. I have everything packed and bagged and ready to ship, I just need to cut the pushrods. If you want a set post an "I'll take one" here and then start a conversation with me. Send me your shipping address and state the DIE DIAMETER you will be using.

The intital run is 25 sets. I want a public count and want to make sure that the members here get first crack at these things so if you want one you must post to this thread.

I will include an invoice in the order with instructions on how to pay with a check, money order, or PayPal. No need to pay until the goods arrive. Of course I guarantee the workmanship.

Extra pushrods in any diameter can be purchased for $10 each.

 

[Brad]

That is a phenomenal tool! And priced well too.

Great Concept Keith!

 

[462]

I have Keith's Mark I version, and can assure any prospective buyer that the upgrades of his latest iteration are beyond spiffy.
The kit is appealing priced, especially when one takes into account the machining time involved.

 

[Ian]

This is quite a deal. It took me the better part of an afternoon to prototype an even simpler design on a manual lathe and mill using an 1144 die blank.

 

[KeithB]

All the parts were made on a manual lathe and mill. Designed for CNC/automated production but our CNC machines have been seriously tied up and running 12 hours a day so I used our old Clausing Colchester lathe for all the turning work. Put a new readout on it last year, it is still capable of doing accurate enough work for something like this. I was running these parts in between loading/unloading the CNC mill.

The ram adapter and pushrods are 1144 steel. Everything else is 6061-T6 aluminum.

 

[Jeff H]

Pretty amazing, @KeithB !

Your technical writing/illustration skills are great too.

 

[RicinYakima]

Sign me up for one!

 

[oscarflytyer]

Keith

VERY interested. some (maybe dumb) questions.

1) can any size push rod be made (I have some very odd things like .439/.442 etc...)?
2) assume "set" comes with 3 push rods?
3) Guide bushing >44 available? I cast/shoot a lot of 45 cal stuff.

Thanx

 

[KeithB]

1. Yes. I plan to cut the pushrods to be -.003"/-.004" smaller than the die diameter.
2. Yes. Basic set has three pushrods of any diameter.
3. The guide bushings are designed to keep the bullets from cocking and jamming as they exit the die and travel through the upper part of the die holder body. The central hole in the die holder body is .515" diameter, .45 to .50 caliber bullets don't need a guide tube.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have a version of this and it works pretty well! A person (whom I cannot remember) made me tge die body to fit a lyman 450 sizer die with a big "nut/cap". It works well. I made up 22, 30 & 35 cal long pushers.

One thing you really need to lube bullets to push tbru. The "other" push thru designed use a much smaller Surface area then The 450 die and seeing as the 450 was a luber sizer design it had built in lube you will no longer have used this way.

Also, If you plant to powder coat AFTER USE, be sure you have completely cleaned that die and bullets of the lube.

Other wise its a awesome ide to make use of the $$ spent on all those dies we bought all those years!!!

Good idea and AWESOME PRICE Keith!!!

 

[shuz]

If you can furnish me with 25 caliber push rods as well as 30 and 44 cal I m in for a setup!
Nice idea and write up!
Shuz

 

[KeithB]

I can make pushrods in any size from .22 to .50. I'll put you on the list.

 

[Glaciers]

Keith it seems like I need one of these, better put me on the list. Will send a PM

One question, I would assume that the push rods don’t need to be exact to bullet/die diameter. So a 25, 30, 35, 44 should work for about anything out there. A 44 rod would work for 45 caliber, a 35 rod would work for say a .378 bullet.
Or am I wrong

 

[Ian]

I was just having this conversation on the phone. Our conclusion was .22, .27, ,30, .35. and .44 would be a good array. If limited to four, use the .30 for everything up to .44, or use .35 for everything from 9mm on up (works fine, often do this myself). Or skip the .22 since many likely don't fool with them.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Keith - I expect to be in. Just need to do some inventory to see exactly what I need. pm coming.

 

[Joshua]

Keith,
Sign me up for a set! I like it.

I only have a few Lyman style dies, but with this set-up I can quickly turn custom dies and/or pushers on my little lathe!

 

[Ian]

Joshua, it's even easier if you order a few (more like 10) of Keith's H-die blanks with the 3/16" pilot hole when you place your order, save on shipping and much time later because all you have to do is back-bore them about half way a drill size over your desired, then drill, ream, taper, and polish the sizing end.

 

[KeithB]

One of the reasons I don't make generic diameter pushrods ahead of time - and it would save me time if I did so - is that I want to reduce the chance of finning around the base of the bullet, and to give as much support as possible to the base of the bullet when seating gas checks. I consider this a semi-custom product and I want to give the customer the best product possible. That's why I will cut the pushrods to whatever diameter the customer wants, and if you have a custom die and can give me the diameter to three digits I will make a pushrod to match that is -003" to -.004". In other words if you are using a die that has a .452" hole in it I will make your pushrods to be .448" to .449". Any larger and you risk binding from misalignment, although there is enough "flex" in the system to minimize that. If it's not an issue with the customer and you just want to specify a caliber to two digits then I will use the nominal bullet size for that caliber as the basic die diameter for my calculations. For example, a .30 caliber pushrod would be based on a die diameter of .308 and will be .304" to .305".

If you have a small lathe and want to make your own pushrods I will be glad to post a dimensioned drawing here, I use 1144 steel but any piece of 1/2" steel rod would be fine. If you want to buy a semi-finished pushrod that is all done except for turning the stem I will sell you the blanks for $5 each (includes O-ring). If you want additional pushrods turned to your size they are $10 each.

I have thought about making the ends of the pushrods hollow (like my custom fit nose punches) so that a person could push the bullets through base first instead of nose first. Don't know if it would seat gas checks better or prevent any base damage but if you're interested let me know.

Anything else you want to buy will be included in the box with no additional shipping charge. If you order enough it takes a bigger box I'll still ship the whole order for $7.90. Order two sets and it's still only $7.90 for shipping. I include one blank Lyman/RCBS type blank die with two O-rings in the set, you can finish the interior of the die on your own equipment or swap it with Brad or somebody for a finished die. If you want more dies they are $7 each, buy nine and I'll throw in the tenth one free for a total of eleven.

I'm going in for some serious and long delayed oral surgery Tuesday morning, I plan to take Tuesday and Wednesday off. Any orders that I get by Sunday night that have the shipping address and desired pushrod diameters will get shipped by Monday afternoon. Any orders I get after that will be filled after I get back to work Thursday.

 

[Glaciers]

Keith I’ll check tonight or tomorrow about exact specs for push rods. The finning issue did not cross my mind until this posting.

 

[KeithB]

Well, a lot depends on how hard or soft your alloy is and how much sizing is needed. If your sizing a bullet made of WWs just enough to round it out you probably won't have a problem. A soft alloy bullet that is in need of more sizing may be a problem. I have no way to know what your particular needs are so I try to match up the pushrod diameter to the die diameter as closely as possible. A bevel base bullet could probably get by with a smaller pushrod diameter than a flat base bullet but again I have no way to know exactly what you will be doing with this stuff so I try to make it a custom fit as best I can.