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xd shooter
05-20-2009, 06:53 PM
Just got in my new.45 mold. It is a 6 cav. Lee TL452-230-2R The problem is it is dropping small boolits.
The bottom rings are measureing .445- .449.

Comments?

dubber123
05-20-2009, 07:01 PM
New caster? I ask because it is common to run a 6 cavity way too cold if you aren't used to them. How do the boolits look? No wrinkles, nice sharp edges?

xd shooter
05-20-2009, 07:12 PM
I've already got it hot enough to get crystalized boolits.

xd shooter
05-20-2009, 07:14 PM
I have the sprue plate lubed with Bull Plate & all was lookin well till I stuck them in a caliper.
Yes it is a new mold?

runfiverun
05-20-2009, 07:35 PM
lee messed up a group buy like this also they were sent drawings and sample boolits.
they still made them wrong.
send it back, they'll fix it.

xd shooter
05-20-2009, 07:39 PM
That sux!!! It is a NIB .452 mold straight from them & it is wrong?

Trey45
05-20-2009, 07:42 PM
It happens, send it back, Lee has a no questions asked 2 year warranty.

243winxb
05-20-2009, 07:49 PM
What alloy are you using?

xd shooter
05-20-2009, 07:53 PM
clipon WW. I casted .358 from the same pot this weekend with no problems.

xd shooter
05-20-2009, 08:09 PM
So I guess send it here with a complaint letter?
4275 HIGHWAY U
HARTFORD WISCONSIN 53027

MT Gianni
05-20-2009, 08:17 PM
So I guess send it here with a complaint letter?
4275 HIGHWAY U
HARTFORD WISCONSIN 53027

Yes Sir.

xd shooter
05-20-2009, 08:30 PM
Anyone know how long that will take?

leadman
05-21-2009, 01:27 AM
I just bought two 6 cavity Lee moulds. A 9mm 120gr. and a 45cal 200gr SWC. The 9 mm mould is working great after a little lapping with boolits and scouring powder to polish it up.
Did the same to the 45 but am still having problems filling out the front driving band 90' to the mold seam on both sides.
Cranked the heat up to over 800' and it helped just a little. I noticed the 9mm mold has vent lines on the bottom side of the sprue plate, the 45 does not. I think I will start by adding vent lines on the top of the mould as the mating surfaces of the mould appear to have good vent lines.
If adding vent lines to the top of the mould doesn't solve the problem then I will attack the mating surfaces.
Do you think this is a good plan?

AzShooter
05-21-2009, 02:08 AM
I have 4 Lee 6 cavity moulds and they are all casting exactly as advertized. They are better in my opinion than the single or two cavity moulds. I'm sure with a letter they will take care oy you.

243winxb
05-21-2009, 09:28 AM
If you need the mold diameter of your cast bullets to be increased just slightly, there is a way to accomplish this with negligible ballistic results.

With the mold open, be sure you liberally lube the mold blocks in front of and behind the bullet cavity. Place a small section of cigarette paper or writing paper to the lubed block . This prevents it from burning.

When casting the bullet, the diameter of the bullet will be increased by the paper width. You can actually go up to about .010 before you begin to see lead flashing appear. While the bullet will be slightly "out of round", this very minimum amount will not effect accuracy or the manner in which the bullet travels through the forcing cone and barrel of your gun. http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/faq/index.cgi [smilie=w:

pdawg_shooter
05-21-2009, 10:31 AM
I would guess that slightly out of round bullet will be fairly round after it leaves the barrel.

xd shooter
05-21-2009, 12:16 PM
Even thougt that is a neet idea. I would rather start with my "new" mold to where is is dropping at least .452. I brought the mold with me to work so I can send it out to get it fixed.

Still interested in comments & ideas though.

ddeaton
05-21-2009, 12:55 PM
Even thougt that is a neet idea. I would rather start with my "new" mold to where is is dropping at least .452. I brought the mold with me to work so I can send it out to get it fixed.

Still interested in comments & ideas though.

Absolutly! You buy a new mold, you expect to get a new mold that drops to specs. Not one you have to work on and lap larger. I have 3 Lee molds I returned and a couple of group buy Lee's that I live with. Not perfect, but I live with them. I bought 2 bone stock new Lee 6 bangers (same mold) from 2 different distributers and both dropped too small. And on a .358 mold cast temperature and alloy dont make that much difference, not when they fall through the sizer die.

Call Lee first before you send, they will tell you whos attention to send it. Pay the shipping back to them and wait. Sorry, I dont mean to sound so negative, but I am tired of it. I have about 10 or 12 Lee molds and like them, they just need to get their s&%t together.

xd shooter
05-21-2009, 01:45 PM
I haven't seen a # yet . I will have to look for that one.

Thanks for the heads up.

243winxb
05-21-2009, 05:10 PM
4275 HIGHWAY U
HARTFORD WISCONSIN 53027
262-673-3075 Voice
262-673-9273 FAX

odoh
05-21-2009, 05:29 PM
My Lee 2-Cavity Bullet Mold 452-255-RF drops at .451 when running hot. I plan on dropping the temp and also a second look at the alloy comp to see if I can get another 1 or 2 thousandths.

xd shooter
05-21-2009, 05:45 PM
Odoh for .001 or .002 you can probably lap your mold with a bullet & some Comet.

odoh
05-21-2009, 06:09 PM
That'lll be plan B. As a newbie, I feel that I let things get out of control heatwise so I'll work that first to see then on to plan B. Thanks for the suggestioin.

xd shooter
05-21-2009, 06:11 PM
Yes sir.

putteral
05-21-2009, 06:35 PM
I guess I got lucky, Just received a 6 cavity .45 200 gr SWC from Midway and it drops out perfect.

xd shooter
05-21-2009, 06:51 PM
I have probably the same mold that I can use. The problem with it is my 1911 don't like them.

243winxb
05-21-2009, 07:43 PM
( 1:10 tin/lead = 11.5BHN @ Maximum Pressure of 16,400 PSI) From Lees site
Mold weights

Our weights are based on a 1 part tin to 10 part lead mix. Harder alloys produce lighter bullets, and pure lead will produce a heavier bullet.

Mold diameter tolerance

Our bullet mold tolerance is stated diameter, +.003/-.000 inch. We gauge our bullet molds with a "go/nogo" gauge, which tends to result in bullet molds that run on the high side of the tolerance. You could probably use one of our standard molds at as-cast diameter with good results.

If the bullets are oversize or out of round the mold is not fully closing. A build up of lube, splash of lead, or a burr on the mold block faces are holding them apart. Inspect the mold block faces and carefully remove anything that might hold the mold apart. Make sure to lubricate the locating pins with solid alox/beeswax bullet lube, Lee part number 90007. If these steps are followed the bullets will cast dimensionally correct.

Looks like Lee knows how it should be done, just poor qualilty control. :groner:

xd shooter
06-10-2009, 09:35 PM
How long is this suposed to take???
I sent my mold to Lee. I put attn. Pat like they said. I put delivery conformation on it. They received it on the May 25.
As of right now no word.

mtgrs737
06-10-2009, 10:42 PM
Send it back to Lee, they will take care of you. I hope that they are quicker than Saeco where I sent one back to, they said it would be 12 weeks as they have to order a new cherry. I don't like the wait but I do want the mould right an I will wait for a good mould. It was a mould #221 and the gas check shank was too short and too large by just a few thousandth's of an inch. Send it back they all make mistakes. You will be pleased in the long run.

xd shooter
06-10-2009, 10:49 PM
Yea I know I will be pleased later but this is the only .452 I have & they are takeing forever.

xd shooter
06-12-2009, 08:34 PM
Ok the quality control at Lee is starting to get under my skin. Now it is 3 weeks into an answer from them on my .452 mold.
To work on a little toping for the cake I get home with a new turret for my press to get started on .38.
I open the box to the new die set from Midway & the dang decapping pin is bent! Man this bites, so I screw it in to see where it is gonna hit & I have no Dang shell holder in the set!
I guess it's not my day. I will give them another call Monday.

xd shooter
07-04-2009, 12:48 PM
UPDATE!!

Finally got my mold back Thursday. Said on a note Realaced under waranty!
This mold is doing great. Just so you know.

Also got my shellholder & decapping pin holder 2 days after I called about them.

I'm finally off & running.

Bluehawk1
07-04-2009, 09:52 PM
If you apply lube to the face of the molds wont that melt into the cavities and cause havoc with the bullet you are trying to cast?
I guess I'm lucky...I've never had a problem with any Lyman, Saeco, RCBS or Lee mold.
One I did have and was never able to solve was a Shiloh .58 caliber, hollow base mold that would never cast a decent bullet!!!!!