Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting RCBS bullet sizer

I just bought a new RCBS .410 bullet sizer for my 41 magnum...and have been casting 199 grain wadcutters. The sizer is supposed to fit into a Lyman 450...and it does. But the holes in the die are not adequate to pump lubricant around all the grease grooves in the bullet (unless you use the heated stuff...which I don't), and the sizer makes the bullet shear off on one side, so the grease grooves sort of smear together. The bullets are worthless after this.

So...I went on ebay and bought a Lyman sizer, and the thing works perfectly.

Anyone else had any similar problems with RCBS sizers?

rooster: My RCBS sizer is used interchangeably with RCBS and Lyman sizing dies with no problem. Does it also size the bullets off center when you use RCBS dies? Either your Lyman die or the RCBS machine isn't centering corrrectly. Determine which and contact the manufacturer. An off center top punch can also cause problems as you describe- more often than the dies or luber in my experience. They can also be a problem if the stem is a bit undersize. When you tighten the retaining set screw they get pushed off center. Usually the top of the bullet shows more off side shaving then the bottom if this the problem. I prefer my sizers to barely skin the bullet to ensure roundness. RCBS usually just needs a hint and they fix you up. Their customer service is excellent. I don't know about Lyman as I've never encountered a problem with their sizing dies. Lubes vary a lot - some need heat some don't- what were you trying to use? I don't need heat with the lube I use (usually RCBS or Lyman sticks) but I have to keep a pretty constant piston pressure on the lube to get even flow from bullet to bullet especially with the RCBS lube.

Whoops- confused the luber and the die manufacturer in the previous. No matter, principles still apply. Sorry