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View Full Version : Lee .459-405-HB molds



Montanan
10-13-2005, 09:04 PM
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones to have two of the original flat nose design molds 459-405-HB instead of the HP one that is currently being sold.

http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/bullets/459405hb.gif

I also have this one C457-500-F but don't use it because you need gas checks, but I guess I could get them.
http://www.leeprecision.com/graphics/bullets/c457500f.gif

:lovebooli

drinks
10-13-2005, 09:18 PM
Midway has the 405gr HB in stock now.

13Echo
10-13-2005, 09:58 PM
The 405 HB Lee bullet is Wolf's resurrection of the Springfield 1873 bullet for the .45-70. It's still available. I was surprised how easily the Lee mould would cast and the bullet really looks good. I have a several rounds loaded to try in my 1884 Trapdoor. I have tried the Lyman version of the 1881 bullet but it is considerably different from the original being both longer and considerably heavier. It would not stabilize in my trapdoor with the 22" twist but does great in the Sharps with the 18" twist. I just bought the Saeco version and it comes very close to the Springfield Armory original. Looking forward to trying it out.

Jerry Liles

Montanan
10-13-2005, 10:04 PM
Drinks

I saw that when I was looking over the bullets.... I just loaded the last of my 405-gr HB's up for hunting with. I have plenty of others on hand, but the .459-405-HB's I cast at 30:1 soft, and feel that they will work much better for hunting with.

:lovebooli

Buckshot
10-14-2005, 01:47 AM
.............I bought that HB mould long, long ago and cast up maybe 40-60 slugs with it. They were dropping at like .463" or so. Pretty fat anyway.

I really like the Lee 450 and 500gr slugs. Both (unlike the 405 solid) cast large enough to be usefull in most any 45 cal rifle. Only problem is (from my mould) both of'em drop with noses like .451-2". I have to run them nose first into a .450" lube-size die to seat them out.

............Buckshot

Montanan
10-16-2005, 11:11 AM
.............I bought that HB mould long, long ago and cast up maybe 40-60 slugs with it. They were dropping at like .463" or so. Pretty fat anyway.

Well my first one lasted longer than that, but was throwing larger than .459 dia bullets.. now I have a sizing die and a Lyman 450 that I still need to get the seals for the inside for. Have to lube by hand or pan lube until [smilie=l:

But I haven't used my second .459-405-HB yet at all. I just haven't cast any bullets in quite some time, becuase I actually bought a bullet caster out that was going out of business on all their .459 dia bullets in 405-gr, 500-gr and 550-gr


I really like the Lee 450 and 500gr slugs. Both (unlike the 405 solid) cast large enough to be usefull in most any 45 cal rifle. Only problem is (from my mould) both of'em drop with noses like .451-2". I have to run them nose first into a .450" lube-size die to seat them out.

............Buckshot

I haven't really tried my Lee 500-gr bullet out yet, haven't gotten the gass checks so it will sit for now.

Have a good one

ejjuls
10-16-2005, 11:41 AM
I run this little beauty in my handi-rifle. Works quite well as long as I don't get the alloy soft I am going to have to move to a different design for hunting because of it. The "Handi" I have likes hard #2 alloy only with that bullet when pushed with BP. 30:1 alloy and I have a shotgun @ 50yds!

With the #2 alloy accuracy is pretty good, smokeless powder and accuracy improves even more. My mold throws these bullets at 0.463" - tried pan lubing and sizing with the lubri-sizer to 0.459". The rifle doesn't care what size they seem to be as long as the alloy is hard.

I am going to try a shorter bullet next - maybe the "Gould" design HP by Lyman? 330grn I believe it is.... I am hoping the shorter slug will stabilize better.

I hate to shelve the Lee mold though - she throws pretty bullets! - consistently every time!
Eric