Re: .69 caliber lubrisizer?
Glenn,
Upon examining the arbor mechanism for my Lyman 4500 Sizer & Lubricator, it would appear to be possible to increase the diameter of the sizing mechanism to accept .59 thru .69 caliber (or larger) projectiles, but to do so will also require a slightly larger diameter arbour. In comparing the diameter of a .512 sizing die, it is about the same diameter as Rapine's .69 cailber wadcutter, such that because the die retaining nut is only slightly larger in diameter (0.805-inches), a new .69 caliber H die would need to be at least a diameter of 0.91-inch to have a minimum wall thickness of 0.105-inches (i.e. 0.70+0.105+0.105=0.91-inches). The diameter of the arbour on the Lyman 4500 sizer is also 0.805-inches, so in order to bore out the lower die compartment requires enlarging the arbour’s pilot hole unless you have another means of machining the lower die compartment. Although once converted, the process would likely not be reversible without considerable expense, to use any smaller diameter dies (i.e. 0.512, .535, .576, etc.), would require further modifications to accept these dies if not requiring completely new custom-made dies in these smaller sizes for use in the larger capacity sizer.
If I might suggest, perhaps if you would write Lyman and ask them what is might cost for them to customize one of their 4500 sizers to accept.69 enlongated ball, perhaps they could cite a cost to do so, particularly if you could sufficiently prove to them that such a modified product would be beneficially profitable for them. I don't know just how many skirmishers might be interested in such a device but given the fact that it is not likely that the same Lyman casting can serve all size bullets, and would require a separate press for the larger size minies (over .59 caliber), given that their MSRP for the 4500 sizer/lubricator is currently at $195 without the heating element ($212 with heater element), if Lyman isn’t interested, perhaps Lee, MEC, or RCBS would be?
First Cousin (7 times removed) to Brigadier General Stand Watie (1806-1871), CSA
1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles | Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation 1862-66
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