Makarov GB Starts Here

[brianintheup]

Makarov Owners,

This group buy will be for a Lee 6 cavity mold. We will be using 45 2.1's design .366 diameter. The weight will be about 103grs ready to load. The cost will be $61.00 per mold, which will include shipping to continental USA. (If you live out side the continental USA contact me and we will find out shipping cost) Multiple mold orders will get a break on shipping. This price is assuming we hit the required minimum order of 25 molds. If there is any money left after shipping it will be donated to Castboolits. This group buy will be open until Friday May 1st at which time I will send payment information to all who have ordered a mold. If we do not reach the 25 mark by Friday May 1st the group buy will proceed for those who wish to split the $100 set up fee. Payment may be made with a personal check or money order. Once all of the payments clear the mold will be ordered.

Please the number of molds desired.

If you have any questions pleas send me a message and I will do my best to answer the question.

Thanks

[mtnman31]

I will be the first in line. Sign me up - I'm in for one.

[garandsrus]

I'm second :)

John

[mike in co]

i'll be third...just one zip is 80015

[TCLouis]

Yo, I am in there for yet another 6 banger!

If we hit 25 before May 1st are "we" gonna order early and move on?

[brianintheup]

Yes if we hit 25 before May 1st I will see about closing early.

[RANGER RICK]

I am in for 1 .
PM coming as I live in Alaska

RR

[GrizzLeeBear]

I'm in for one. I've got the Lee RN two banger, but I want a 6 cavity to feed my PA-63 and CZ-82.

Any idea what the dimension from the nose to the front band is? As mentioned in the other thread, there is little room in the magazine of these little guns. Max. OAL is .984 and cases are about .713 so that leaves only .271 or less for nose length. Maybe 45 2.1 could put some dimensions on the drawing?

[45 2.1]

Maybe 45 2.1 could put some dimensions on the drawing?

Maybe Brian could tell us which drawing it was by post number, then I can tell you specifically. The first posted boolit was meant for the case mouth to be slightly off the front band edge. The second used the jacketed XTP dimensions posted by Willbird.

[brianintheup]

I Was assuming that we were matching the XTP design. Sorry for not being clearer.

Brian

[GrizzLeeBear]

I Was assuming that we were matching the XTP design. Sorry for not being clearer.

Brian

It looks to me like the boolit you have listed at the start of this thread is the 1st design (post #3 in the previous thread) at 103 gr. This is the one I am concerned about nose length. It might be fine, but hard to tell without dimensions.

The "XTP design" (post #64 in the previous thread) looks like it has a slightly shorter nose and about 97 gr. Of the two, I would personally prefer this one with its shorter nose and lighter weight.

[Bodydoc447]

I'll take one. Thanks for honchoing the GB.

Doc

[TCLouis]

with some experience with the 9X18 and a CZ 82 in their stable of pistolas.

[Aegis]

I'll take one

[spur0701]

I'm in for one.........shipping will be to 20695....thanks

[Willbird]

As long as this is a LEE mold I will be in for one. I may also make a batch of Star Sizer dies.

Bill

[3584ELK]

Count me in please.

Zip Code 09498. Its an FPO address (US Embassy), but it stays within the USPS system and the cost is the same as if sent to a neighboring state.

Thanks for honchoing the GB. Let me know how and when to pay.

[leadman]

I'm in for one. Zip code 85022.

[goste]

yup, I think I'll bite.... I'll take one................

[Mak Rov]

I'm interested in one of these. Zip is 15332

Mak

[brianintheup]

I am going to get two molds so that makes 19 molds so far.

Brian

[TCLouis]

Has anyone posted this GB on some of the other sites?

[brianintheup]

I posted the GB on www.p64resource.com/ so far two individuals have said they would like a mold. I tried to run a GB from their to start with but there wasn't any interest. That is when someone referred me to Castboolits. I believe we have 20 molds so far.

TCLuis are you in for a mold?

Brian

[TCLouis]

I have been since way back then.

[Gee_Wizz01]

I am interested in the one from previous thread post #3, is that the one we are going with, or is the one from post #64?

G

[Pat I.]

I'll take one. 60453

[brianintheup]

I am interested in the one from previous thread post #3, is that the one we are going with, or is the one from post #64?

G

The mold is the design from #64. Sorry if I was unclear.

[Bodine]

Put me down for one!

[4060MAY]

I'm in
44286

[K31Swiss]

I'm in so I don't have to borrow 4060MAY's.
44233

[billyb]

I will take one. 74047

[brianintheup]

Hay guys we have 25. If there aren't any complaints I will post a last call and end the group buy early.

Brian

[pack3480]

I will take one. 98328

[Willbird]

I'd try to get as many in as you can Brian, but I wouldn't wait another month either :-). otherwise you will drive yourself nuts if people are still asking in before you get the blueprints in hand, checks sent to you, and submit the order. You will also have people wanting any extras you order.

Bill

[johnly]

I'll sign up for one. Just let me know when and where to send $$$

John
97006

[GrizzLeeBear]

Brian, I see you did post a "last call" for April 15 (don't forget to file your taxes, too!) so thought I would bring that to attention in this thread as well. Will you send everyone a PM with info. on where to send payment?

[Willbird]

Brian, I see you did post a "last call" for April 15 (don't forget to file your taxes, too!) so thought I would bring that to attention in this thread as well. Will you send everyone a PM with info. on where to send payment?

I do not see a last call for April 15 ??

Bill

[brianintheup]

I will send a pm to everyone next week. I posted a last call new thread.

Brian

[TCLouis]

YAHOO we'll be makin boolits by snowfall.

[leadman]

Snowfall which year?

[helg]

I am in. 20878

[TCLouis]

Leadman

2010 if we be lucky and Lee moves faster than they have been recently.

[mike in co]

Leadman

2010 if we be lucky and Lee moves faster than they have been recently.

yep my gb is at 8 months and 2 weeks...and no shipment from lee.

mike in co

[brianintheup]

I talked to Lee today and they said 8 months to a year.

Brian

[leadman]

Like they say "checks in the mail". Thanks for honchoing this buy.

Leadman 85022

[johnly]

Mailed my check today as well.

John 97006

[helg]

Mailed the check and the address. 20878

[RANGER RICK]

Check is in the mail from 99603

Thanks again

RR

[Aegis]

It's on the way.

[Bodydoc447]

Brian,

Thank you for being the Honcho. Hopefeully, this one will be on the 8 month side of the time line.

Thanks again,

Doc

[Gee_Wizz01]

Brian

Checks in the mail 32226. Thanks for Honchoing this buy.

G

[brianintheup]

This GB is Closed

Thanks for your response.

Brian

[45 2.1]

This GB is Closed

Thanks for your response.

Brian

The production drawing and check for a mold are in the mail to you.

[GrizzLeeBear]

Checks on the way. Thanks Brian.

[m.chalmers]

Late to the game. PM sent to Brian.

[Mak Rov]

The check is in the mail. Thanks for hochoing.

Ken

[brianintheup]

Thanks for the quick response. I have just over half the checks in. I will let everyone know when I get them all and send the order in. 45 2.1 sent me the drawings and they are just what Lee wants. So hopefully we will be closer to 8 months than to a year.

Brian

[mike in co]

check's in the mail....80015
thanks,
mike in co

[K31Swiss]

Check is in the mail. 44233

Thanks, Brian.

[4060MAY]

check should be there
44286

[TCLouis]

Do you plan on posting a list of payments that have arrived so that all can be assured that there was not a delivery failure.

[brianintheup]

I have received 24 checks 5 more to go. Some individuals didn't include their screen name. Here is a list of individuals that did.

Mtnman 31, Mike in Co, TCLouis, Ranger Rick, Grizzleebear, Bodydoc447, Aegis, eadman, goste, Pat I, Bodine, 4060may, Gee-wizz01, K31swiss, billyb, pack3480, johnly, helg, 45 2.1, mchalmers, mak rov,

I have 4 other checks that came but the screen name wasn't listed and for their privacy I will not list there name.

Brian

[Buckshot]

..............Normally the Honcho posts the originating zip code. No names.

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

[mike in co]

..............Normally the Honcho posts the originating zip code. No names.

.................Buckshot
YEP ZIP CODES ARE THE NORM....

thanks again , call me next year when they get in....


mike in co
80015

[brianintheup]

Sorry, I'm new at this I can post the zips.
20878
97006
45252
85022
74047
60453
48180
92055
45891
44886
88328
79424
48706
72058
99603
20698
15332
32226
76801
44233
80015
33845
37179
62801

[brianintheup]

The molds were ordered on the 8th. Talked with Lee and everything is good to go.

[mike in co]

so..9 months is feb for the first rework back to lee....


i hope it goes better than my gb.

thanks brian


mike in co

[brianintheup]

The zips that I posted were from the envelops. Some people didn't have a return address on the envelope so their zip is not posted. If you have any questions let me know. I have all of the letters and envelops to double check everything.

[mtnman31]

Moderators, should we move this one to "closed/waiting/shipped" section?

Hopefully, Lee can get us a great mold in a reasonable amount of time... time will tell.

[brianintheup]

I talked to Lee today and the lady said around 3 months.

Brian

[leadman]

Did you tell her not to rush things?

[helg]

I talked to Lee today and the lady said around 3 months. September 15 + 3 months = today!

[mike in co]

that would only be 6 months total...i'd be very suspious.

[RANGER RICK]

I can honestly say this will be my last Lee mold I buy .
To many other mold makers that do a much better job and at a very low turn around time !!!

RR

[Gee_Wizz01]

I can honestly say this will be my last Lee mold I buy .
To many other mold makers that do a much better job and at a very low turn around time !!!

RR

+1 ! I just used my first Mihec brass mold and it is a dream. Also Swede's molds are wonderful. With either Mihec's or Swede's NOE molds, you open the box, clean the mold, break it in and start casting great boolits. No more Leementing and no more waiting over a year for a mold that may or may not be the right diameter! I am on the list for Mihec's Mak mold also, and I am willing to wager Mihec's will get here first!

G

[Pat I.]

So anyway........... brianintheup have you heard anything?

[helg]

I just got a PM response from the honcho
----
They should arrive today. I will cast some bullets and see what they measure.
----

[brianintheup]

I received the molds yesterday. I cast up some bullets and they dropped .365 after I sprayed the mold with mold release. http://s722.photobucket.com/albums/ww223/brianintheup/?action=view&current=Part1.jpg

This morning I loaded up 12 rounds and they functioned flawlessly. I will be mailing the molds out on Friday morning.

[helg]

Great news!

Is there a practice that participants confirm their postal addresses? I did not move for the last 8 months, but some others may well do that.

[mike in co]

Great news!

Is there a practice that participants confirm their postal addresses? I did not move for the last 8 months, but some others may well do that.

that would be the "movee's" job....not the honcho.
(just like a magazine publisher....you tell them, they don't ask you)

mike in co

[mike in co]

I received the molds yesterday. I cast up some bullets and they dropped .365 after I sprayed the mold with mold release. http://s722.photobucket.com/albums/ww223/brianintheup/?action=view&current=Part1.jpg

This morning I loaded up 12 rounds and they functioned flawlessly. I will be mailing the molds out on Friday morning.

what alloy, and what did they weigh ?

thanks

mike in co

[brianintheup]

I will mail the mold to the address provided in the envelope with the check.

[leadman]

Sounds good!

[brianintheup]

All the molds went out Friday priority mail.

[mike in co]

but did you ever weigh one ????

[brianintheup]

Yes I weighed several bullets they were all just under 95grs. That is common with my casting. I use 9 lbs wheel weights with 3 lbs 50/50 solder.

[helg]

20878

I have just casted first bullets from the GB mold.

First, the mold had some burrs around caves, as pictured. I used to carefully remove them.

First cast from the mold is at the next picture. I know, the mold was on a cold side.

Alloy was 40:1 COWW/Sn. The grain weights were the following:
94.98 95.34 95.34 95.06 94.86 95.14 95.22 95.18 95.44 95.08
This gives average of 95.14 with standard deviation of 0.18. It is on par with my other casts.

Bullet diameters when measured along the holes and across the cave line were the following
along: .3678 .3678 .3682 .3680 .3676 .3680 .3682 .3683
across: .3666 .3662 .3679 .3670 .3668 .3673 .3675 .3674

The smallest is 3.662, which is acceptable, and will be easily straightened by the Buckshot sizer die. Interesting that all cavities drop bullets that are smaller in the direction across the cave line.

Bullet lengths are in a range of .402"-.405".

Lube groove is slightly larger than on a standard Lee Makarov bullet (.007" vs .006"), but considering longer bearing surface (.020" vs .018" minus the previous numbers), I do not expect that there be any problems with holding this bullet in the bore grooves or with accuracy in comparison with the standard Lee Makarov one.

Thank you, Brian, for being a honcho on this group buy.

[mike in co]

b in the U P,
i got mine today...thanks
80015
mike in co

[m.chalmers]

Mine came today. 21850
THANKS BRIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, I have to get home and find some lead!

[Gee_Wizz01]

Brian

Mine came today! Zip Code 32226. Thanks for running this group buy.

Gary

[Gee_Wizz01]

20878


Bullet diameters when measured along the holes and across the cave line were the following
along: .3678 .3678 .3682 .3680 .3676 .3680 .3682 .3683
across: .3666 .3662 .3679 .3670 .3668 .3673 .3675 .3674

The smallest is 3.662, which is acceptable, and will be easily straightened by the Buckshot sizer die. Interesting that all cavities drop bullets that are smaller in the direction across the cave line.



helg

I have noticed this on a number of my Lee molds. Have you checked the edges of the mold blocks? The last two I received had a noticeable burr on the top and bottom edges of the mold blocks which hold the mold open slightly. Even after I stoned the edges off the boolits were still .001 or .002 larger measured perpendicular to the parting lines. They still shoot better than I can.

G

[helg]

helg

I have noticed this on a number of my Lee molds. Have you checked the edges of the mold blocks? The last two I received had a noticeable burr on the top and bottom edges of the mold blocks which hold the mold open slightly. Even after I stoned the edges off the boolits were still .001 or .002 larger measured perpendicular to the parting lines. They still shoot better than I can.

I did notice the burrs, even pictured them above, and carefully removed them. After that the bullets are smaller in the direction that is perpendicular to the parting lines - I have posted the diameters in both directions. This is opposite to what you have measured. With my discrepancy, putting something in between of two halfs of the mold should solve the problem.

[Bodydoc447]

Thanks, Brian.

Doc

[K31Swiss]

Mine came today.

44233

Thanks, Brian

[johnly]

Mine arrived today and it was a surprise since I forgot all about ordering it.[smilie=w:

John

[Mak Rov]

My mould came yesterday too. It looks good and I can't wait to try it out.
Thanks for running this group buy Brian.

Ken

[goste]

Recieved mine today.....76801......Looks good
Thanks...Caspar

[mike in co]

ok issues....

with straight ww/small tin....90.4 gr/0.368/9 dia

and they stick on one side of the mold...anywhere from 700 to 800 degrees

?????
mike in co

[RANGER RICK]

Brian

Mine is here 99603 Alaska .
Will be a few months before I break it in .
Thanks for your time and willingness .

RR

[Aegis]

Got mine Last Monday 45891.
Now if I can get some handles.:groner:

[TCLouis]

Thank you for running the GB.

Looks like Lee's delays are giving at least one company a good start in business.

[helg]

I have problems with my mold. As I noted before, it had burrs at the edges, which I pictured, and then removed before the first cast. When I started going-to-be-complete-pot casting session with hot alloy, I noted that the mold still did not close completely - the alloy was spreading along the edge between bullets. I figured out that there are few more burrs at the edges, and removed them, so the mold two halves are closing with no significant light passing in between.

After this, the mold casts bullets without any spreads in between the halves. However, the bullets ARE NOT ROUND. Along the edge the diameter is still around .366-.367", but across the edge it is only around .357", which is totally unacceptable. The attached picture illustrates the problem. Blue rectangle there is 526 pixels wide and 514 pixels high. The ratio at the picture 526:514 is 1.023, which is about the same as ratio of the measured in bullet diameters: .366":.357"=1.025.

The mold obviously is not fitting into Lee tolerances, which is -.0"/+.003". Instead, the diameter across the line is by .009" smaller. 8 month turnaround time does not encourage too much to follow through customer service.

I do not know what to do with the mold. If somebody has the mold that, when closed, drops perfectly round bullets, and who does not need the mold, please, let me know. I will buy it from you. I am also thinking of trying to put .01" aluminum sheet between the molds with 6 holes that are cut for the holes to compensate mold shortness across the lines. Not sure how to connect it to the mold though. Any other ideas what can be done to fix the problem?

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc272/helgp/mak6-onecave-rect.jpg

[brianintheup]

I would contact Lee with your problem. I haven't had any problems with my mold I didn't look at any of the molds I just grabbed one out of the box sprayed it with mold release and started casting. http://s722.photobucket.com/albums/ww223/brianintheup/?action=view&current=Part1.jpg&newest=1

Brian

[brianintheup]

I don't know why my images aren't posting. Sorry

[leadman]

Brian, got mine a couple days ago 85022. I am taking a break from casting with it so with the above problems noted I will go measure my boolits.

[leadman]

Went out and measured the boolits from this mold and the 200gr. 44 caliber Lee 6 cavity.

Both boolits were out of round when obvious boolits that were cast from a mold not up to temperature as they were still shiny.

When boolits that were starting to frost were measured they all were within .001" of being round, with many almost perfectly round.

I did notice that the Mak mold is difficult to get the bases to fill out if it is even slightly not hot enough. I had to raise my pot temp. from the 600' I use for iron molds to 710' to get good fill out. Also had to smoke the mold with a stick match.

This is nothing unusual for a Lee 6 cavity.

I think it is going to be a good mold and boolit.

Thanks Brian.

[billyb]

Brian thanks for running the group buy. I received my mold a couple of days ago. I have had two sessions with the mold. I do have a problem with mine, and will contact Lee about it after I try casting with it one more time. I cleaned and deburred the mold and got it to cast a few good boolits. They run .367 and wiegh 95-96 grains with my alloy. The problem I have is like Mike's. All of the boolitss stick to the right side of the mold. The cavity's are cut of center. After my next session and the adjustment's I made to it do not work I will contact Lee and see what they say.. Again Brian thsnks. Bill

[leadman]

My mold tends to hang the bullets on the left side, but I think it is because the lube groove is fairly deep. After I smoked the mold and got it up to temperature it releases the bullets if the mold is tipped down and the handle is tapped.

I'll have to check to see if mine is cut off-center.

These bullets are just like the Lee production Mak bullet in that they are difficult for me to remove from my RCBS sizer after lubing and sizing.

I tried something today that has helped with removing the bullets. I removed the sizing die and put a small washer on the bottom of the center pin. I stuck it in the lube that was there so it stayed. This raised the center pin higher towards the top of the die and made the bullet easier to remove from the die.

[leadman]

Well, the reason the bullets are hanging up on the left side is the mold is bored off-center.

I laid a straight edge across the cavities and measured from it to the furthest point away in the cavity.

The left side is .189" to .190". The right side is .176" to .177".

Has anyone else measured their mold?

[leadman]

I just spoke with Pat at Lee. He wants a mold to look at so I asked Billyb if he would like to send his in, or if someone else would like to volunteer? It will need to be sent to Pat's attention.
Pat said shipping would be reimbursed if the invoice was included with the mold.

He will look at the mold then if he determines the molds need to be replaced he will put a priority on doing so. He stated if will take a week or so to get new molds cut.
Our molds will have to be sent in for the exchange to happen. Each person sending in a mold will get a mold sent back to them.

Lee has changed the way they cut molds. They are now cut in a milling machine, not on a lathe.

[mike in co]

yep....5-6 thou off center.....

so brian...how do we do this ???
they say they want an invoice.......
i'll ship mine back...but got no invoice....

mike in co
80015
how to accurately measure.
measure a small round/cylinder, record.
place the round in half of the mould and measure down to it, ad the 2 numbers together( round and the new measurement)
do the same on the other side.

a small primer works well...

[helg]

they say they want an invoice.......
i'll ship mine back...but got no invoice....

I understand that the invoice is needed to compensate shipment cost to Lee. I hope (but not sure) that the sticker on top of the parcel that shows the amount paid should suffice.

What address to return the mold to? Is it the one at the Lee frontpage with the note "Attn Pat Lee"?

[leadman]

When I talked to Pat today he said he had the invoice for the molds there, just wanted a mold to examine to confirm the problem before starting on making new molds for us.

Pat said to enclose an reciept for the shipping inside the package to be reimbursed for shipping. This means you will have to leave your package unsealed until the postage is paid, then seal the reciept inside.

[johnly]

So we send the molds back to Lee or the Honcho?

John

[billyb]

Mine is going to Lee in the morning. Bill

[4060MAY]

Mine come 1-11-10, 44286
Thanks Brian
used an eraser to clean the edges of the cavity, scraped the little bit of flashing on the blocks, smoked them good after soap and water, brake cleaner, cleaning. dipped them in the pot.
cast about 400, one cavity sticks sometimes, pretty standard for the way I cast, used two 6 cavity molds to control the heat.
bullets are .368-.369, 93-94 gr with no.2 alloy.
feed great, and shoot better than the LEE round nose with Win WST1

[mike in co]

well mine went back this am...and i forgot to enclose an invoice for shipping...tho the box clearly shows what i paid,....
oh well
lets see how long it takes to get a "correct" mold....

..........

mike in co

[helg]

I have received e-mail response from Pat Lee instructing how to send the mold back. The mold is already on the way. Hope that the issue will be resolved soon.

[billyb]

Sent mine back today also. Bill

[brianintheup]

I sent a copy of the invoice to Bill. Sorry that I haven't been on line. I have cast and shot quit a few of these bullets without any problem. I have even sized some down to .357 and shot them out of my .38. But if you have a problem and there is something that you need from me let me know otherwise I will let you work with Lee.

Brian

[leadman]

I'm going to wait until Pat confirms the problem and starts cutting the new molds to send mine in. I want to cast some more boolits first.

Thanks for sending your molds in to Pat. I'll contact Pat towards the end of next week to see what his plan is. If anyone hears from him before that could you post the info?
That way we won't be bugging him unnecessarily.

Glad to hear the boolits shoot great.

[Phat Man Mike]

Brian I got mine in the mail today! 74464
I casted a few tonight after cleaning them up even sized a few to .356 to try in my carbine! I'll keep a eye on the tread for up dates from LEE.

Thanks PMM:redneck::cbpour:

[leadman]

I just spoke with Pat at Lee. He examined the 2 molds that were sent to him and confirmed that they are going to replace them.
He is going to get the replacement scheduled with the shop today, so our replacements will be next in line. Pat's rough estimate is 2 weeks.
Send your mold to Lee attention Pat. Enclose a note inside the box if you want a credit towards reloading equipment or a refund in the form of a check sent to you.

Pat told me they researched the cause of the problem and have corrected it so our new molds should be good to go.

Lee is also pretty much caught up on special orders and have about a 6 week lead time now.

Pat has been very concerned with correcting this problem and eleminating the cause and is aware the reputation of the company has suffered recently. I will personally continue to purchase products made by Lee as I have confidence they are trying to produce a quality product at an affordable cost.

[mike in co]

i spoke with pat yesterday, and would say the above post is what pat told me.

mike in co

[mtnman31]

Measured mine this afternoon and found mine is off center as well. My measurements are as follows:

.193" Sprue cutter Half
.173" Opposite Half

I'll have to contact Lee in the AM and get some help resolving this. Looks like it will be a nice bullet once I get it going.

[leadman]

Pat is expecting these molds to be sent to him. The address is in the Lee link at the top of the page.

[goste]

leadman.... in post 123, you said to enclose a note stating if you want a credit, towards reloading equipment or a refund check...
.
Is this instead of a replacement? Are they not going to redo them? Mine is also out of round...

[johnly]

My assessment is that they are going to replace them, and the "refund" is for the return shipping.

John

[spur0701]

There isn't any time limit on this is there? My wife says the mould was delivered but I'm deployed and it's a while before I can get back and check mine.

[mike in co]

There isn't any time limit on this is there? My wife says the mould was delivered but I'm deployed and it's a while before I can get back and check mine.

i'd have her return it, let pat check it out.

mike in co

[leadman]

The credit of refund is for the shipping you paid to return the mold to Lee.

Spur1701, I would follow Mike's advise. This way hopefully you will have a good mold waiting for you when you get back. Stay safe.

[billyb]

I returned my mold about a week ago. Today I received a new mold from Lee.
The new mold looks good, the proof will be in the casting. Bill

[leadman]

billyb, let us know how it casts.

[helg]

Replacement mold from Lee has arrived about a week ago. Pretty fast.

I will not have a chance to make a test casting for a few coming weeks, but will report here results of the test castings with the replacement mold as soon as I can.

[leadman]

I finally got around to sending mine in today. Hope it returns quickly.

[mike in co]

anyone else got one back yet ??

mike in co

[johnly]

I sent mine in and they sent me a check for $52.00. I was expecting a replacement mold and a check to cover shipping.:groner:

If someone gets a replacement mold, I'd like to borrow it for a while.

John

[mike in co]

got an email...from lee(well ups), so i assume my mold is on its way back via ups.


mike in co

[mtnman31]

I'm still awaiting the return of mine. I haven't heard anything from Lee yet. I'm not sure how long it has been since the postal receipt is at work. I definitely don't want the money back - I want a mold.

[mike in co]

I'm still awaiting the return of mine. I haven't heard anything from Lee yet. I'm not sure how long it has been since the postal receipt is at work. I definitely don't want the money back - I want a mold.


i talked to pat this week. he said they did have a backlog in the mould rework area. mine has been gone since very early in this off center discovery. probably 3-4 weeks ago.

[leadman]

I talked to Pat the end of last week about the shellholder for my new 43 Mauser die set that broke the top out on the first case and he was going to go and check on the molds as mine has not returned either.
The shellholder was only .027" thick at the top. The center of the A style head on the Mauser case is only partially supported by the shellholder with the rim off the base and touching the underside of the top flange. The shoulder is pushed back too far because of this.

I just recieved a new Lee mold for the 7mm from Midsouth. The base holes are .007" differnence in size. Gonna call Pat again then return it to Midsouth and buy something else.

[leadman]

Called Pat this morning about my 7mm mold being cut undersized on 1 base so I asked about our replacement molds. He said they were cut in a batch and should have been shipped out.

He is checking on them and took my e-mail address so hope to hear something soon. I'll post when I know a status.

[mike in co]

my new gb showed up this eve, i alread had the pot on.i knew it was comming.

minor clean up, 750 degree ww wiht minor tin.

93 gr and 365-367 dia

ohhh and they fall out of the mold!

so thanks pat...second time around its good.



has anyone figured out why we are so far off the target of 105 ??

mike in co

[leadman]

mike in co, I shot some of my boolits from the first mold. Very accurate so I am not concerned about the weight. I do have some Silver Bear 115gr. JHP that is accurate, but does cause more muzzle flip.

My mold returned today, looks good and far end is centered, end near handles only off .001" so should be fine. Hope to get a chance to cast tomorrow.

[mtnman31]

Got my mold back and it is a dandy. .366-.367dia 94gr.
Works like a champ. Very happy with the results even if it did take a little extra work. Thanks to the honchos, designers, and Lee.

[leadman]

I cast about 50 boolits with the second Mak mold yesterday before an alignment pin fell out. The pin is very loose in the block.

Looks like another call to Pat tomorrow.

[johnly]

My replacement mold arrived. It might be while before have a chance to take it for a test drive.

John

[helg]

Family photo

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc272/helgp/mak-rounds-bullets.jpg

Do you seat the GB bullet like shown at the picture, just to cover lube groove (OAL at the picture is .957"), or push it deeper that all bearing surface seats inside the brass?

[leadman]

helg, that is exactly how I seat them. Work fine in my Bulgarian Mak.

Got a knurled alignment pin from Pat at Lee and installed it with permanent loctite and crimped it in place. Cast a bunch of boolits today and it worked fine.

The boolit is a great one, but I think if the lube groove was shallower or had more taper to the sides it would drop from the mold easier. Takes 3 or 4 taps on the hinge bolt to get them all out of the mold.

The Lee 9 and 10mm TC molds I have are similar style but with a much shallower lube groove and they fall out with the opening of the mold.

[helg]

I have shot the GB bullets last weekend. While accuracy was acceptable, about 2" at 10yds, is was far from the one that I get from standard RN cast bullets, which are pictured on the left. Do not know what may cause this: shorter bearing surface, higher "jump" (distance to rifling or larger lube grooves - it seems that 4" barrel may not need that much lube. If there would be a GB for standard Lee 365-93-1R 6-banger, I am in.

I am eager to know how there bullet works for others.

[leadman]

I shot some from my first mold with Blue dot and was getting very good accuracy at 15 yards, 2" or so. I was on the low side for charge weight so am going to load some more and try again.

I used Blue Dot years ago in my Russian Mak but sold that gun and can't find the load data or the magazine article from many years ago that listed it.

I'll let you know how this comes out.

[Phat Man Mike]

mine is just off enough to hang on one side! guess it's back to LEE for repairs.. but boy is that boolit a good shooter in my PA-63 :)

[GrizzLeeBear]

Mine was off center, too. As I don't have a 9x18 pistol anymore I sent it back last week with a letter requesting a TL358-158-SWC as a replacement. Been wanting to try that boolit in my .38 specials.

This was my first (and last) group buy mold from Lee. :evil:

[helg]

I have received the replacement mold couple of months ago. The mold had the same burrs as the original one, which I have pictured above at the thread. I decided not to remove the burrs and casted about 500 good bullets. Since that the burrs were gone, and bullets were out of round again.

Lee told that as this is custom mold, they do not have a replacement, and will issue a merchandise credit of $52.

End of story.

If anybody has the GB mold that is of no use, and has no burrs or off-center defects, PM me, and I would be glad to buy your mold.

[daveinsvaz]

Does anyone have one of the 6 cavity .366 9X18 molds they want to sell?
Lee just is not friendly about helping me with one ("…Any of our previous custom mold orders we do not have information or supply of…"). Have the Lee round nose version, and I made a .366 swage to make the LEE RN more like the 45 Long Colt Flat Tip, Round Nose.
Looking for a faster casting design. All the casting and swaging is cutting into my shooting time.

Dave, Sierra Vista, AZ
520-249-3359

[this may be a duplicate entry...sorry if I fat fingered it. Dave]

[MiHec]

Not to hijack the thread.....


I have some Makarov molds on hands. It is two cavity HP or solid (just change pins)



http://mp-molds.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=10



I can also cut some 6 cav. aluminum if interest is big enough - I all ready have cherry