Lee 430-310 as cast diameter?

[catboat]

I was considering purchasing the Lee 430-310 gas check bullet mold. I understand the bullet lable calls it a ".430" diameter.

Can those of you who USE this mold, please provide what you are getting for an "as cast diameter" from this mold (and with what alloy)? .430"?, .431"?, ,432"?, ,433"?

Also, what are the cavity-to-cavity "as cast" diameter variance you are observing from this mold?

Thank you in advance.

[mdi]

I understand why you would ask, but each mold is an animal in itself. I have a few Lee molds and some cast spot on and some larger than noted. Also, alloy and temperature of both melt and mold are factors in as cast size. Sorry I don't have exact measurements from that mold, but my bullets would prolly differ from yours...:-(

[ultramag]

I was actually doing some measuring on my first batch just yesterday.

My mold drops the current batch of range scrap I've been casting with at .4305-.431 and both cavities are consistent.

I was really hoping to deer hunt with these this fall but haven't got .44 cal gas checks rounded up yet. May have to be put off until next year.

[AlaskanGuy]

My 6 cav drops pretty consistant .431 with range lead... Just fine by me... Shoots awesome in my 44 mag taurus..85360

[paul h]

Got rid of my 430-310 lee when I sold my 44. It is a very accurate bullet, fully equal to those I cast from an LBT mold in accuracy. Even if you have to do a little bit of lapping it's a mold well worth having for the 44.

[Echd]

Mine is around .431.

It is a good bullet, although I am finding their new mold style to be a bit tougher to use than the old V rib one with full size blocks.

[Baryngyl]

I do not remember if I measured mine or not and if I did it was only with a HF 6inch stainless steel digital caliper, they worked fine as cast so I did not worry about it to much.

I do know that the 2 cavities were different by 2 grains, 1 was 310gr and the other was 312gr cast from a mix of COWW/SOWW



Michael Grace

[catboat]

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping the mold would drop bullets in the .432" range.

I have a Ruger flat top Bisley in 44 special. I was thinking of making a "poor man's wide flat nose/LBT" bullet by milling off the base to remove the gas check shank (to the base of the rear most driving band). I was guessing I'd wind up with a 280ish grain bullet.

0.431" diameter may work, but wish it was a skooch larger. Maybe lapping will help that.

Keep the "as cast measurements" reports coming. It gives me an idea of the min/max diameter range.

[GP100man]

I believe some here has done just what you are think of , milled the GC off & it wound up at 265 gr. with WW alloy.

Mine drops 431 with isotope alloy & vary .8 gr. from cavity 1 to 2 averaging 20 boolits from each cavity.

& is a pure hunting sledgehammer for the 44

[44man]

I would not mill the blocks, I would remove just the internal check section. The boolit is too good as is.

[mdi]

Didn't mean to blow you off with my first post, but my Lee .44 cal. molds drop .431", .432" and my "worked over" 265 gr. mold drops .4335". I can get .430" bullets from a couple of the molds by using a "harder" alloy and casting "hot"...

[paul h]

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping the mold would drop bullets in the .432" range.

I have a Ruger flat top Bisley in 44 special. I was thinking of making a "poor man's wide flat nose/LBT" bullet by milling off the base to remove the gas check shank (to the base of the rear most driving band). I was guessing I'd wind up with a 280ish grain bullet.

0.431" diameter may work, but wish it was a skooch larger. Maybe lapping will help that.

Keep the "as cast measurements" reports coming. It gives me an idea of the min/max diameter range.


Yes, milling the base will get you a 270-280 gr ph bullet. A friend did that with the 45 version of the mold. I'd suggest trying the mold as is, thenap if accuracy isn't up to snuff. It's easy enough to lap out the mold