Lee mold size question

[compass will]

Looking at a Lee .452 mold. My question is what size does it drop from the mold?

I want a finished size if .452, But I want to be able to size and lube the boolet in my Lyman sizer. If it drops at .452, I guess I can still run it through the sizer to lube it correct?

I will be casting with straight WW or 50/50 ww/lead. (if I can find enough straight lead)

[UweJ]

Hi
I´ve got a Lee 200 gr. TL .452 and it drops between .452 &.453 .
I´m shooting straight WW. I get the same dimensions when shooting hospital lead.

[Leftoverdj]

Lee moulds cast anywhere from the nominal size to .003 over. Most run .001 to .002 over. Even if the one you get casts right at .452. you can still lube in the Lyman. Many of us intentionally use oversized sizers to lube without sizing.

You will also find that straight WW casts a hair larger than 50/50. This can come in handy with a tight mould. The gain is not much, but there are times that it is enough to turn mediocore bullets into good ones.

[454PB]

Most of my casting uses WW or WW plus type metal. Those alloys tend to cast slightly larger than pure lead or 50/50 WW and lead. All of my Lee moulds (I think I have 16 of them now) cast at or slightly over their advertised diameter. Who knows....you might get one that is slightly smaller.

Also, in a Lyman 450 I can use a sizer .002" larger than the boolit without any undue lube leakage. You just have to be gentle with the pressure screw and don't use a very hard lube.

[compass will]

thanks every one. Next I have to decide on which boolet, then which rcbs/lyman nose punch will work. All I have tried is a 250 grain, round nose flat point. Thinking of sticking with that weight (or 255 grain) in a 6 holer. My only choice looks like the 452-255-RF if I stick with Lee.

[454PB]

You didn't say what you're shooting these in...how about the Lee 452-252-SWC? It's one of the most accurate Lee designs I've used.

[compass will]

You didn't say what you're shooting these in...how about the Lee 452-252-SWC? It's one of the most accurate Lee designs I've used.

Uberti 45 colt wheel guns with 5.5" barrel, and a 1892 with 24" barrel.
The SAA's only get shoot 25 yards at paper now, soon to be even less when I start CAS. shooting. I know some guys like lighter loads to lessen the recoil, but that's one of the reasons I shoot a 45, and it does shoot POA/POI with the 250 grainers I been using.

The 92 gets used for lever action silhouette, as well as CAS.

Suggestions always appreciated, my choice will be based 100% on what is recommended here. This group is the master casters in my mind. I just want to stick with Lee because of the price (I also have to buy for other calipers as well, Got my eyes on that 405 grain hollow base for my H&R buffalo classic in 45-70 )