PDA

View Full Version : Lee VS rcbs 200g FP mold and cast boolit quaility in .358?



Tripplebeards
08-16-2017, 04:03 PM
I'm looking at getting a mold for my 35 Remington rifles and wondering if there is going to be a difference in casted boolit quality between the two? I've used both Lee and rcbs molds and like both. Going to mainly use the boolit on deer and black bear.

Will this boolit feed in my Marlin 336 and Remington 7600?

Echo
08-16-2017, 04:40 PM
Can't address the diff between Lee & RCBS, as I don't have the Lee mold. I DO have the Lyman 358315 that is a near-clone of the RCBS - the Lyman is RN, while the RCBS is RFN. Both cast nicely, and shoot nicely, in my 35 Whelen. FWIW...

acoop101
08-16-2017, 05:41 PM
Can you really justify not trying the Lee for 20 bucks?

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

Texas by God
08-16-2017, 07:07 PM
Can you really justify not trying the Lee for 20 bucks?

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
Excellent point. If I didn't have the RCBS I would get the Lee & be happy I bet.

Tripplebeards
08-16-2017, 08:13 PM
The cheapest place I found it is for $26.95 shipped.

I thought the same thing for the $. It looks to be a RCBS clone.

Ill just have to order $39 worth the hornady GC and lee sizer n ill be in business

MyFlatline
08-16-2017, 08:33 PM
I have a NOE and a Lee, cannot tell the difference when then are dropped. Both 200 grain.

202040 the 2 on the left

rking22
08-16-2017, 08:42 PM
Interesting, my Lee casts 205 and my NOE runs 224, can't say on the RCBS. my Lee casts well but only .359 dia. I have shot it in my 760 and it feeds OK, not great but it feeds.
The NOE is awesome but I'm actually toying with buying a Lee 6 hole. The RCBS is an awesome bullet design!

Texas by God
08-16-2017, 09:01 PM
My RCBS throws 217 grs with my wheelweight/chilled shot alloy. I use a .359" sizer and Hornady gas checks. They are very accurate.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

GooseGestapo
08-16-2017, 09:11 PM
My RCBS casts to 218gr. 220 with gas check and lube. I size .360" for a Marlin M336. Almost as accurate as jacketed, under 2moa 5-shots.

I've heard anecdotal mention that the Lee's tend to run small, closer to .357-8" which might be problematic with larger bores such as MicroGroove barrels.

But at $27, you can't go wrong.

Tripplebeards
08-16-2017, 09:27 PM
I have a 1970 336 35 rem Marlin 100 th anniversary eddition that's going to mainly be the one I'm shooting cast in. I'll have to slug it tomorrow. Who mAkes 359 and 360 sizes. I see Lee only goes to .358

RickinTN
08-16-2017, 10:01 PM
Or try an Accurate version from Tom. You can get exactly what you want and need that way.
Good Luck,
Rick

Bookworm
08-17-2017, 06:04 AM
I have a Lee 6-cavity that I'm working with to get to cast small enough to use. I'm getting everything from .358 to .363+ out of it.
It casts some so large that, when I size, the crimp groove disappears. I've cast with it twice, and have yet to get a useable boolit.

I'll try one more time (maybe it's me ?). If I don't get a consistent size, I'll call Lee CS and talk to them.

gunarea
08-17-2017, 06:52 AM
Hey Tripplebeards
My Marlin is also a centennial model with the medallion in the stock. One of my 200gr moulds is a Saeco three cavity. The Lee I had owned went down the road due to not doing well in the micro groove barrel. After struggling with both the Lee and Saeco, I got a two cavity RCBS and a Lyman .359 sizing die. Seat it deep, full length size, crimp it hard, a Lee factory crimp is just about mandatory. An alloy softer than Lyman #2 pushed around 1100fps does not need the gas check. Loaded with 2400 or 3031 does not hurt the unprotected ears. This combination in Florida is ideal for brush but will easily reach out over 100yds with outstanding accuracy and whomp. Never had a wounded deer or needed to follow a blood trail. Wish I could say the same for my pig hunts. Gosh a venue like here, thirty five years ago, would probably have saved me enough to buy another Marlin rifle. Good skill with yours.
Roy

Texas by God
08-17-2017, 09:09 AM
My mistake- my Lee sizer is .358"standard. Spoke before looking.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

GooseGestapo
08-17-2017, 11:28 AM
I'm using a Lyman 450 lubri-sizer with .360" die.
SPG lube and Hornady gas checks.
I bought the Lyman 450 at a pawn shop about 25yrs ago for $25. They didn't even know what it was.
It had a .452" die in it that someone had broken off a piece of it trying to improperly remove the die.

Tripplebeards
08-17-2017, 08:16 PM
202098

I just got home and slugged it. My highest measurement was .358. I got a .358 measurement in two different spots. The one measurement almost looked like .358.5

I don't lubrasize...I PC so I need a lee type sizer. Dose anyone make a .359 or .360 similar die that will crimp on a GC?

I'm guessing I should purchase the rcbs 200 mold being it cast a larger diameter boolit than the Lee from what some posters have stated?

Question two.... Should I get a .360 or .359". Sizer?

I saw a post that Lee had a listing that made any size sizer for $38, do they still offer this?

Tripplebeards
08-17-2017, 09:54 PM
I would assume I need a .359 since .360 would be too big at .002 over


I did check lees website and I can order a .359 sizer die but it takes 8 weeks! Dose anyone else make a similar die that can get quicker?

beltfed
08-17-2017, 10:31 PM
Tripplebeards,
Check with NOE for bullet sizing dies
beltfed/arnie

Bzcraig
08-17-2017, 10:49 PM
Tripplebeards,
Check with NOE for bullet sizing dies
beltfed/arnie

Yes, NOE for push through sizers! A little more money initially, cheaper in the long run, and much more accurate.

DerekP Houston
08-18-2017, 12:13 AM
I've got the lee 200gr 358 mold, if you can wait til next weekend shoot me a pm and I'll cast you up some samples to try. My preferred alloy is range scrap + 2% tin but let me know if you'd like more tin %.

Tripplebeards
08-18-2017, 08:53 AM
Looks like the Noe body is $45 and then the .359" sizer is $10. I'm guessing that's all I need since I have a Lee 44 and 45 cal sizing kit. I can use my push bases from these I could assume?

Tripplebeards
08-18-2017, 09:03 AM
I see posters have used a drill, a cleaning rod, and some emery cloth to widen a Lee to .359. Would you not get an uneven surface by doing this?

Texas by God
08-18-2017, 01:28 PM
Try some of Derek's boolits first for a point of reference. My .02.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Texas by God
08-18-2017, 01:32 PM
And I will make the same offer. PM and I'll send some RCBS 200 fpgc ( straight ww,LLA lubed, .358")

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

DerekP Houston
08-18-2017, 02:02 PM
I'll cast some up and leave them unsized as cast. With any luck my micrometer will arrive first and i can verify them prior to shipping. Just pm me your addess.

-derek

Tripplebeards
08-19-2017, 04:30 PM
Thanks guys!!!! I ordered a Lee die and will polish the inside with emery cloth and run the test boolits through to make sure they are casted to at least .359 so I know which mold to purchase.

P Flados
08-19-2017, 08:21 PM
If I need bigger, I using lapping compound instead of emery cloth on a mold. I have used fine grit wet or dry on sizers, but not on molds.

Give it an honest try it as it comes before trying to change it. You can do more than a little experimenting without removing metal from a mold and remember that it is real hard to "undo" it if you go too far.

I have been having good luck with PC sized at real close to bore diameter. I PC first and then run the Lee 200 (and Lee 125 RNFP, and Lee 140 SWC) through my 0.357" sizer. These all do fine at full power in all of my 357 mag & 357 Max guns.

If you want an easy way to get just a little more, size first and then do the PC.

The other trick to try if you think you are on the small size, is to combine medium soft lead & loads at least near max. Boolits do upset (expand) and longer boolits do so more than short ones.

And last but not least, I recommend giving them an honest try with and without checks. My guns go fine without.

Tripplebeards
08-19-2017, 09:45 PM
I have lapping compound but feel it would be too abrasive.

I plan on PC my boolits. Dose the boolit spring back to be a little larger in diameter when sized after PCing?

P Flados
08-20-2017, 07:22 PM
I have not been able to measure any spring back. The reponse through the sizer is pretty much the same for PC, raw or lubed.

DerekP Houston
08-20-2017, 07:26 PM
Thanks guys!!!! I ordered a Lee die and will polish the inside with emery cloth and run the test boolits through to make sure they are casted to at least .359 so I know which mold to purchase.

Will cast up the lee mold when I get back on Friday and hopefully get them mailed out same day. Best of luck with your experiments.

jerry6stl
08-20-2017, 11:23 PM
I used the RCBS 35-200 GC bullet in a 35 Whelen for several years and was pleased with the performance.