Lee Projectile Resizing Die

[Wpierce]

I recently got into reloading and picked up some demil/pulled Sierra 220gr Match Kings from American Reloading. They were $59.99 shipped for a 250 count bag (253 actual count).

My plan is to use them for my H&R 300 blk handi rifle w/tirant 45.

I loaded up 30 rounds for a ladder test and found out through some reading that pulled projectiles should be resized prior to use, so I purchased the Lee 308 bullet resizer from Amazon for $20.

The die kit was extremely simple and easy to use. Setup just requires screwing into the press, or LNL bushing; no specific distance or thread turns is needed.

I first tossed the projectiles into a zip lock bag and then sprayed them with my homemade case lube (99% isopropyl alcohol/lanolin). Roll them around in the bag to get a good even coat.



Next put them on the shaft and press down with even force. They pile into the red container.



After the container is full, dump them on a rag and towel off the lube (some people use a vibratory tumbler for this but I wet tumble so wouldn't work for me).



Checking the diameter, .308 inches with every randomly selected sample.



This die is good to go, and I recommend it for any pulled bullets. I plan to load up 30 more matching rounds for my ladder test and see if there is any real difference in accuracy.

[thefuryoffire]

That's super cool! I would definitely do that when I get into .308.

[Wpierce]

That's super cool! I would definitely do that when I get into .308.

While I don't have any group sizes for you yet, I'm sure it's worth it if you plan on shooting pulled bullets.

Bonus: loaded up (and a better camera...)

Last edited by Wpierce on Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[MadPick]

Very interesting.

Did you measure any before you sized them? I'm wondering if sizing made a difference for these particular bullets.

[Wpierce]

Very interesting.

Did you measure any before you sized them? I'm wondering if sizing made a difference for these particular bullets.

Unfortunately I did not, $20 for peace of mind was enough to sway me. I will say that about 5 required significant (almost alarming) force to run through the resizer, maybe 20 required moderate force, and the rest ran easily.

I just checked on the loaded bullets (made prior to getting the resizing die), as a portion of them protrude and the largest I saw was .3085, most are at .3080

[MadPick]

Interesting. I've loaded a lot of pulled bullets, especially 175-grain SMK and 55-grain .223 bullets, and I've never even considered resizing them. Hmmm.

[Wpierce]

Interesting. I've loaded a lot of pulled bullets, especially 175-grain SMK and 55-grain .223 bullets, and I've never even considered resizing them. Hmmm.

I have the 30 loaded, unsized ones; I'll match those loads with some resized and let you know if there's any group size differences.

[Wpierce]

Finally made it to the range. This was from 50 yards. Best 5 shot groups from the un-sized, and re-sized 220 smks. 300 blk, A1680 10.9gr [EDIT = both were ran suppressed w/tirant 45, even though the labeling looks different...]

Unsized group = 1.3950 in

Resized group = 0.8945 in

Looks like an improvement!

[MadPick]

SCIENCE!!

Thanks for the test results, that's interesting.