Lee-menting...my 22 Bator casts 50.8 v. 55.0 grains

[Land Owner]

Alloy is 50/50 coww/Pb @ 50:1 Sn water dropped.

While my 380 ACP Ranch Dog TL358-100-RF casts 103.8 gr. with the same alloy.

I am thinking that each is not exactly the right size.

[brotherdarrell]

Just about exactly what my Bator drops with pretty much the same alloy. I'm not gonna get worked up over a couple of grains. The big question is what diameters are your boolits, especially the nose?

Darrell

[rhead]

Mine casts 53 grains with COWW plus 2% tin. Fill out and consistency are both good. What problem is the lower weight causing when you shoot?

[Land Owner]

I will mic tonight and report. I have shot none as yet. I just got the mould and spent a portion of Saturday AM casting boolits, which need gas checks. I have not loaded any as I have not yet ordered the sizing/lube die nor the top punch. Those are in the shopping cart on-line. soon though, very soon.

[Shiloh]

As stated, do they drop big enough?? Don't sweat the 4 grs.

Shiloh

[Bullshop]

Maybe the advertised weight is for a finished boolit with gas check. The check and lube should bring it to very close to advertised weight.
I have a Bator mold on which I have milled off the gas check shank and now finished with lube the boolit weighs 50gn.

[bangerjim]

Have you tried weighing your other boolits? Many will vary widely. As stated, don't worry about the small difference in weight. The GC will add some back. And I PC mine which adds a bit of weight. Grease (if you still use it) will too.

All mine end up around 54gn ±the side of a barn.

Just get out there and shoot them!


banger

[Land Owner]

Mic'd dimensions of unsized boolits:

Length = 0.5200" nominally for 10
Width = 0.2255" ditto
GC shank: 0.2100" ditto

[brotherdarrell]

Add a nose diameter of .220" and it is a carbon copy of mine.

Darrell

[spfd1903]

With Lyman #2 alloy, mine are always 52+ grains and .225 " diameter. With lube and a copper gas check, they are at or near 55 grains.

[telebasher]

With Lyman #2 alloy, mine are always 52+ grains and .225 " diameter. With lube and a copper gas check, they are at or near 55 grains.

Mine weigh in @ 54.7-54.9 dressed out.

[tja6435]

My Bator mold using Linotype/lead mix is giving me bullets between 49.4-50.6 coated and checked

[uscra112]

Question: What top punch do these use? Can't find out from Lee or Midsouth.

And oh, yes... do all new Lee moulds come through loaded so badly with burrs that they won't even close?

[Land Owner]

Lyman #646 top punch for 22 Bator mould.

I am feeling better that mine are dropping the "same" as others. Now to shoot some...more reporting after this weekend - provided the sizer/lube die and top punch arrive on Friday. The Work-a-Day world is in the way in the mean time.

[threewheels]

Mine runs 52 grains right out of the mould have not gas checked any yet so I can't tell you the finished weight. but I would like to know what some of you guys a running for over all cartridge length with this bullet in .233