Lee boolit mold abberation?/?

[mikeym1a]

I'm just getting into casting boolits for rifles. The impetus for this was a really neat barrel I got off Ebay. After much research, I determined it was originally off a single shot german rifle, chambered for the 8.15x46. The slugged bore measured .317. No receiver, and no boolit mold. In the meantime, with the shortage of projectiles, and the like, I decided to start casting boolits for my other guns. My first old gun was a sportenized '09 argentine mauser that I paid $54.00 for. (It had been on sale for $39.95... no money then...) Speer used to make .313 jacketed for them back then, but, stopped. So, I queried Lee about a mold for the 8.15, hoping they had a .312 mold that turned out a bit large. No dice. So, I slowly started gathering supplies and molds and dies for the other guns. (I've loaded cast in my pistols for years with great success, and economy!) I ordered the Lee #90361 which is supposed to throw a 160gr .311 boolit. After my first casting session with the new mold, I had a bit of suprise. The projectiles run a bit heavy. I was getting two weights, 163gn and 167gr. When I measured them I was getting .312 for the 163gr, and .316/.317 for the 167gr boolits. I only tested about 16 out of the batch. I just picked them up at randon, and got eight of one and eight of the other. NOW, I'm not complaining. Seems the answer to two needs. I'm just wondering if this was done intentionally, or if it just slipped by? TEE-HEE, GOOD for me!! Any ideas?

[paul edward]

Your mold may have one oversize cavity. Lucky you.

The .317 might also work in unmodified 8x57J m1888 barrels or some of the larger 7.7x58 barrels

[mikeym1a]

Your mold may have one oversize cavity. Lucky you.

The .317 might also work in unmodified 8x57J m1888 barrels or some of the larger 7.7x58 barrels

I hadn't thought of that. I do have an old turkish m1888, with a good bore, actually. That one had slipped my mind. Because of the lack of proper boolit size, it's just been sitting in the corner. Thanks for the reminder. Actually, that m1888 has the mod for the pointed boolit and stripper clip, but, when I slugged the bore, it came out .318. hhhmmm. But, again, thanks for the reminder.

[rintinglen]

If you can find one, the Lyman 316-475 might be the berries for what you are doing. Mine casts right at .320, and will see action in my 32/40 Marlin.

[mikeym1a]

If you can find one, the Lyman 316-475 might be the berries for what you are doing. Mine casts right at .320, and will see action in my 32/40 Marlin.

For the time being, I think this one will do what I want. The one cavity makes boolits for my Argentine Mauser, and my son's Nagant rifle. The other cavity seem right for the 8.15, and the m1888.

I saw a video on how to copper plate boolits on YouTube. Seem interesting, and straight forward. Am thinking of trying that as well. Well, when funds allow, of course. Many thanks.