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captain-03
04-30-2009, 01:19 AM
I have 3 different reloading manuals sitting on my bench along with a bunch of Lee Moulds .... The problem I am having is that none of my manuals list any of the Lee Moulds!! I also have gone on the web to the powder manufacture sites and they, too, do not list the Lee Moulds. Even a visit to the Lee website was of no use --- am I missing something?

Is there a manual and/or website that list loads specific for the Lee Moulds? My current interest is for the Lee 312-155-2R in 7.62x39 (AK & SKS) and the C501-440-RF in 500S&W Magnum.

I have searched this site and gathered up some loads that were listed by forum members/contributors; however, I would like to have access to reloading data specific for Lee Moulds .... any help out there?

Thanks!!

leadman
04-30-2009, 01:41 AM
Unlikely you will find much data specific to Lee molds. The nice thing about cast boolits is the data for say a 158gr LSWC made by RCBS or Lee or whoever is pretty much interchangeable. One difference would be gas checked versus non gas checked.
You always need to use starting loads and try to confirm this load data with a couple current sources. The websites for the manufacturers are normally the most current.
My advice is when you find a cartridge/boolit you want to load do your research then post on this forum what you have found. The members here are always willing to help a guy out.
Better to post the load than making a mistake that can lead to serious injury or worse.

snuffy
04-30-2009, 01:45 AM
I have 3 different reloading manuals sitting on my bench along with a bunch of Lee Moulds .... The problem I am having is that none of my manuals list any of the Lee Moulds!! I also have gone on the web to the powder manufacture sites and they, too, do not list the Lee Moulds. Even a visit to the Lee website was of no use --- am I missing something?

Is there a manual and/or website that list loads specific for the Lee Moulds? My current interest is for the Lee 312-155-2R in 7.62x39 (AK & SKS) and the C501-440-RF in 500S&W Magnum.

I have searched this site and gathered up some loads that were listed by forum members/contributors; however, I would like to have access to reloading data specific for Lee Moulds .... any help out there?

Thanks!!

One answer, Lyman cast bullet handbook. Just use whatever is the closest to the weight and shape of your lee molds, then start at the recommended starting load.

No one is going to offer loads for each specific size, shape and weight of thousands of different molds. No need to. Just go by weight first, then shape if you insist.

Slow Elk 45/70
04-30-2009, 03:01 AM
:confused: If, I understand your post, you are looking for powder loads specific to Lee boolits ?? The only place I would know to look is at Lee's load manual.

.312 155gr. cast boolit is going to use the same grains of a given powder , no matter if it is Lee/Lyman/RCBS etc. .

I don't know if this is what you are looking for or not.

Google : Wolf Publishing Co. You can look around as a guest, go to load-data, go to metallic cartridges, go to 7.62mm for the Russian look for[ cast bullet loads] , then go to .50 and get the 500S&W. go to [John Taffin tests]

These are all published loads. The Russian isn't 155gr, but close enough if you reduce them, they are listed as max. for 159 &161 gr cast boolits.
I hope this helps.

In case you can't find it: Treat these as Max loads reduce and work up.
Lyman 311466 159gr.: ACC-1680 20GR 1,750FPS
IMR-4198 21GR 1,750FPS
ALLIANT RL-7 21 GR 1,875FPS
ACC-2015BR 24 GR 1,915 FPS
H-322 23 GR 1,845 FPS
H-335 25 GR 1,795 FPS

LBT 314-155 161gr ; AAC-1680 19gr 1,840 fps
IMR-4198 20gr 1,820 fps
Alliant RL-7 22gr 1,995 fps
AAC-2015br 24gr 1,860 fps
H-322 24gr 1,965 fps


These loads from John Taffin:
500S&W 440gr GC W-231 10gr 827 fps S&W M500
Unique 10gr 882 fps
LilGun 33gr 1482 fps
LilGun 35gr 1561 fps
H-110 33gr 1428 fps
H-110 35gr 1561 fps
H-110 39gr 1641 fps
H-4227 32gr 1353 fps
H-4227 34gr 1425 fps

Bret4207
04-30-2009, 06:55 AM
As the other guys said, don't worry about it. We use "by the book" loads with jacketed because we're dealing with much higher pressures than cast. A max cast load is likely going to be no more than a fairly warm load in a similar jacketed weight, even with handguns. Cast alloys are also more ductile than jacketed bullets and this helps lower the pressure.

Just find a similar weight boolit and start there.

Flash
04-30-2009, 07:09 AM
I started out with Lee moulds many years ago and did nothing other than what everyone here suggested. Go by the listed loads for a similar grain weight bullet and you'll be fine. If it's a gas checked bullet base, just dip the bullet base first, in liquid alox and set aside to dry standing up. The lube will accumulate at the base as it dries and form a "Soft Check" which does the same thing as the copper type. The velocity should be kept in the 1,200 fps range and below but everything should be fine. You are starting out exactly like I learned so have fun and happy shooting.:drinks:

Leftoverdj
04-30-2009, 09:23 AM
Data for the Lee 312-155-2R in the 7.62x39 is simple. If you use 4198 or slower, you can't hurt anything with the amount of powder that will fit without being compressed. That would include AA 1680, both 4198s, H-322, 4198, 4895, H-335, BL-C(2), 3031, 748, and others in that burning range. Most of those will take all you can get in the case with a long drop tube and heavy compression, but "full to the base of the neck" is a safe starting point with those powders.

You can't do that with the faster powders, though. 2400, 4227, and AA-9 need more exact data. One place to get more exact data is Lee #2. You'll be all right using their data for 150 grain jacketed with 155 cast. The lowered friction offsets the slight weight difference.

jdgabbard
04-30-2009, 09:50 AM
Shape does make a little bit of difference, but mostly in the department of how deep in the case the boolit seats. And that is a fairly minute difference in pressure, in most cases.