Need ? answered Lee 44 310gr

[Possum]

I just received my 6 cavity Lee 310gr mold and have a question. I am casting 1/2 Lino and 1/2 Wheel weights (or close to it, if not exact). The gas check base of the bullet is a little small for the Hornady gas checks I am using. Once they are sized they will not come off, but they will spin on the shoulder of the base.

Is this normal? I can turn the check with my fingers, but I cannot pull it off.

All of my other molds seat the gas check pretty tight.

[454PB]

When using a high antimony alloy like 50/50 WW and lino, the boolits shrink less as they cool. If the GC is this loose using your alloy, how loose is it using straight WW?

I wouldn't worry about it as long as the check can't be pulled loose after sizing.

However, I have that same mould in two cavity, and my Gator checks and Hornady checks fit quite tightly.

[Possum]

Are you casting with straight WW or some combination of Lino and WW or other alloy?

[454PB]

I use several alloy mixes, 50/50 as you describe, as well as straight WW. With my mould, I have to work a little to push the checks on using the 50/50.

[Possum]

Thanks

[Sundogg1911]

Possum,
Why are you using 50-50 WW and Lino? This seems like a waste of Lino (Casters gold) to me, especially with a gas check. The harder the alloy, the less it will shrink. I would think this is why the checks arn't fitting as snuggly as they have on others. just be carefull if you're shooting over a chronograph. Gas Checks have been known to destroy them if they come off as they exit the barrel (go ahead and ask me how I know this) [smilie=1:

[44man]

I use air cooled and water dropped WW metal a lot, but for my hunting loads I use WW metal with a little tin and antimony added. The boolits will be a little small after casting but in a few days they expand a lot. Anything with antimony will expand with aging.
I would let those boolits sit a while and see if the checks tighten or seat checks after a week or so to see if they are tighter. If not, I would lap that section of the mold for a better fit.
I lapped a home made mold for a tighter fit and have to seat checks right away. If I wait, I have to beat the boolits on the bench to get the darn things on.

[jim4065]

Anything with antimony will expand with aging.

I learn something every day here. :coffee:

[357maximum]

Anything with antimony will expand with aging.
.

I that what they put in them little blue pills for you ol...elder gents?[smilie=1: :mrgreen:

[44man]

Yep, blue pills go in the pot! Don't do me any good at all. Wife would throw me out of bed if it stood up anyway.

[Possum]

I didn't realize the bullet would expand. Glad I asked the question. I played with one all day and the check stayed on. It turns but will not come off. I think I will go back to straight WW and see what happens. Thanks for all the input and teaching me a few things.

[DLCTEX]

Do you know what happens when you give one of those blue pills to a politician? He gets taller.:-D DALE

[44man]

Hee, Hee, Wonderful!

[Ron]

:Fire: Unkind Dale!