For dedicated reloaders and shooting enthusiasts who demand precision and control over their ammunition, the journey into crafting perfect cartridges often begins with the bullet itself. Especially for those who embrace the cost-effectiveness and customization potential of casting their own lead projectiles, ensuring each bullet achieves the precise diameter and proper lubrication is paramount. This critical step, known as bullet sizing and lubrication, directly impacts accuracy, barrel longevity, and overall shooting performance. Fortunately, tools like the Lee Precision 90188 Lube & Size Kit are expertly designed to streamline this essential process, empowering handloaders to produce consistent, high-quality cast bullets right from their workbench.

Mastering Bullet Sizing: Why It Matters for Cast Projectiles

Before diving into the specifics of the Lee Precision kit, it's crucial to understand why bullet sizing is not just recommended, but often indispensable for cast bullets. When lead bullets are cast, they often emerge from the mold with slight variations in diameter or with a surface that isn't perfectly smooth. These inconsistencies, even minuscule ones, can lead to a host of problems:

• Inconsistent Accuracy: A bullet that is too small for the bore will allow gas to blow by, reducing velocity and destabilizing the projectile. One that is too large will require excessive force to chamber and can deform, both of which negatively impact accuracy. Sizing ensures a consistent, optimal fit for your firearm's bore.
• Barrel Leading: Cast bullets, especially those that are undersized or improperly lubricated, can leave lead deposits in the barrel. This "leading" reduces accuracy, is difficult to clean, and can even increase pressure. Proper sizing creates a tight seal, preventing gas blow-by that melts the bullet base and causes leading.
• Gas Check Application: Many high-velocity cast bullets require a gas check – a small copper or aluminum cup affixed to the base – to protect the bullet from hot gasses and improve accuracy. Sizing dies are often designed to seat and crimp these gas checks securely.
• Smooth Feeding and Chambering: Uniformly sized bullets feed more reliably from magazines and chamber more smoothly into the firearm's breech, preventing potential malfunctions.

The Lee Precision 90188 New Lube & Size Kit directly addresses these challenges, providing a straightforward and effective solution for achieving perfectly sized and lubricated cast bullets, ready for loading.

The Lee Precision 90188 Lube & Size Kit: An In-Depth Look

This particular kit from Lee Precision, identified by its MPN 90188 and UPC 734307901882, is a robust and user-friendly system specifically engineered for cast bullet enthusiasts. At its core, it simplifies what can otherwise be a messy and complicated aspect of handloading.

Key Components Included in the Kit:

• Sizer Die (Steel, Standard 7/8 x 14 Threads): This is the heart of the kit. Crafted from durable steel, the die features the industry-standard 7/8 x 14 threads, making it universally compatible with virtually any single-stage reloading press. The die's internal dimensions are precisely machined to reduce your cast bullets to a specific, uniform diameter. Crucially, the bullet is pushed through the die nose first, ensuring a smooth, consistent sizing operation without deforming the bullet's critical meplat or ogive.
• Sizer Punch: Replacing the traditional shell holder in your press's ram, the sizer punch is designed to push the cast bullet through the sizing die. Its simple yet effective design means no special nose punches are required, which simplifies setup and reduces the need for additional specialized tooling.
• Sized Bullet Container/Catch Bin: As bullets are pushed through the sizing die, they exit the bottom and are conveniently collected in this dedicated container. This keeps your workspace clean and your sized bullets organized and ready for the next step in your reloading process.
• Detailed Instructions: Lee Precision is known for providing clear, concise instructions with their products, ensuring that even novice reloaders can quickly grasp the operation and achieve optimal results.

Important Note: It is essential to remember that while the kit provides the core tools for sizing, Lee Liquid Alox lubricant and a single-stage reloading press are sold separately. These are crucial companions to the Lube & Size Kit for a complete and effective operation. Lee Liquid Alox is the recommended lubricant for use with this system, as it's designed to dry quickly and provide excellent protection against leading.

Optimizing Your Cast Bullet Process with the Lee Precision 90188 Kit

The design philosophy behind the Lee Precision 90188 Kit centers on simplicity, efficiency, and effectiveness. Here's how its features translate into tangible benefits for the reloader:

• Streamlined "Push Through" Design: This is perhaps the most significant advantage. Unlike traditional sizing dies that might require bullet noses to be inserted and then pushed back out, the Lee system pushes the bullet completely through the die, nose first. This ensures uniform sizing along the entire length of the bullet and means no specific nose punches are needed for different bullet profiles. This simplifies the process considerably and reduces the complexity of your reloading setup.
• Exceptional Versatility for Cast Bullets: Whether you're casting round nose, semi-wadcutter, wadcutter, or hollow point bullets, this kit is designed to handle them all. Its ability to also seat and crimp gas checks on appropriate bullet designs adds another layer of utility, making it a comprehensive solution for various cast bullet needs.
• Durability and Longevity: Constructed from high-quality steel, the sizer die and punch are built to withstand countless sizing operations, offering years of reliable service. This robust construction ensures consistent performance over time, which is vital for maintaining ammunition quality.
• Precision and Consistency for Superior Accuracy: The meticulous machining of the sizing die ensures that every bullet processed through it achieves the exact, desired diameter. This consistency is directly translated into improved shot-to-shot uniformity, tighter groups, and enhanced accuracy downrange. By ensuring the bullet perfectly matches the bore, issues like gas cutting and leading are significantly mitigated, leading to a cleaner barrel and more consistent performance.
• Cost-Effective Ammunition Production: For reloaders who cast their own bullets, the primary motivation is often cost savings. The Lee Lube & Size Kit enhances these savings by providing an affordable, yet highly effective, method for preparing these cast projectiles. It's an investment that quickly pays for itself through the production of high-quality, inexpensive ammunition.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Your Lee Precision 90188 Lube & Size Kit

To help new users or those looking to refine their process, here’s a typical workflow for sizing and lubricating cast bullets with the Lee Precision 90188 Kit:

1. Preparation of Cast Bullets: Ensure your cast bullets are clean and free of any casting sprue or imperfections. It’s also important to make sure they are completely cool and set.
2. Lubricant Application: Apply Lee Liquid Alox (sold separately) to your cast bullets. The most common method is to place a quantity of bullets in a plastic container (like a coffee can), add a small amount of Liquid Alox, and then tumble the bullets until they are lightly and evenly coated. Allow the lubricant to dry to a non-tacky finish. This usually takes several hours or overnight.
3. Press Setup: Install the Lee Sizer Die (part of the 90188 kit) into the top of your single-stage reloading press. Adjust it until it just touches the ram when the ram is at its highest point, then back it off a quarter turn or so to allow the bullet to enter.
4. Insert Sizer Punch: Place the Lee Sizer Punch (part of the 90188 kit) into the shell holder slot of your press's ram. It effectively takes the place of a traditional shell holder for this operation.
5. Sizing the Bullet:
   • Place a pre-lubricated cast bullet, nose-first, onto the top of the sizer punch.
   • Raise the press ram. The bullet will be pushed up into and through the sizing die.
   • As the bullet passes through, it is precisely reduced to the desired diameter and any applied gas check is seated and crimped (if applicable).
   • Continue to raise the ram until the bullet completely exits the bottom of the die.
6. Collecting Sized Bullets: The sized bullet will fall into the collection container provided with the kit, ready for inspection or immediate loading.
7. Repeat and Inspect: Continue the process for all your cast bullets. Periodically inspect your sized bullets to ensure consistent quality and proper lubrication.

Choosing the Correct Sizing Die Diameter

A critical aspect of using any bullet sizing kit, including the Lee Precision 90188, is selecting the appropriate sizer die diameter. Lee Precision advises selecting a sizing kit that results in a bullet diameter .001" larger than your firearm's groove diameter. For instance, if your barrel's groove diameter measures .357", you would ideally want a sizing die that produces bullets of .358". This slight oversize ensures a tight seal in the bore, maximizing accuracy and minimizing leading. Measuring your specific firearm's bore can be done with a slug and micrometer for the most precise results.

Who Benefits Most from the Lee Precision 90188 Lube & Size Kit?

This kit is an indispensable tool for:

• Dedicated Cast Bullet Reloaders: Individuals who regularly cast their own lead bullets for pistol or rifle cartridges.
• Accuracy Enthusiasts: Shooters who are constantly seeking to optimize their ammunition for superior precision and consistent performance.
• Cost-Conscious Reloaders: Those looking to maximize their savings by producing their own high-quality ammunition components.
• Beginners to Intermediate Reloaders: Its straightforward design and ease of use make it an excellent entry point into the world of cast bullet preparation.

The Lee Precision Legacy: A Name You Can Trust

Lee Precision has been a trusted name in the reloading community for decades, known for its innovative, user-friendly, and cost-effective equipment. The Lee Precision 90188 New Lube & Size Kit is a testament to this legacy, offering a robust and reliable solution for one of the most critical steps in preparing cast ammunition. Their commitment to quality and practicality ensures that reloaders have the tools they need to produce consistent, high-performance ammunition. When seeking out the finest reloading equipment, reloaders consistently turn to reputable brands like Lee Precision.

In conclusion, the Lee Precision 90188 Lube & Size Kit stands out as an essential piece of equipment for any handloader committed to producing high-quality cast bullets. Its thoughtful design, ease of use, and effective operation make it an invaluable asset for achieving superior accuracy, preventing common issues like barrel leading, and ultimately enhancing your overall shooting experience. Available at deguns.com, this kit represents a smart investment for anyone serious about the art and science of handloading.

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Lee Precision
Model	Classic Bullet Sizing
Function	Size Bullet
Material	Steel
Compatible With	Single Stage Presses
Includes	Sizer Die, Sizer Punch, Sized Bullet Container, Instructions
Media Type	Cast Bullets
Weight	95 oz (approx. 5.9 lbs)
UPC	734307901882
MPN	90188