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View Full Version : 457-405 too skinny



randyrat
02-20-2010, 09:08 PM
I bought a Lee double 457-405 Cast some test boolits out of it and found them to be .455 Using some soft + lino (it's what i had in the pot at the time)
DANG too skinny for the 45-70 I need at least .458
Is .003 too much to fatten with the usual heat duct tape and some lapping?
I don't want to go with linotype to fatten. I want to use WW or WW + some soft lead.
Maybe i should just send it back?

Buckshot
02-21-2010, 12:49 AM
..............Gee, the Lee 458-405F casting too small!? I've NEVER experienced that with that Lee mould before :veryconfu Honestly though, I've had 3 of those things over the years and they ALL dropped smaller then the .458/9 I was looking for. Happily they are usefull, as dropping at .456" I paper patch them with 20# typing paper and they're perfect fpr my 577-450 Martini[smilie=w:

There's a thought! Go get something chambered 577-450 and you'll be set. Well, except for dies and cases.

Just so you won't think that you and I are the only loosers in the 458-405F undersize Lee mould deal, 9.3x62Al also has history with it[smilie=p:

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

softpoint
02-21-2010, 01:16 AM
I have both the 340 grain and the 405 grain Lee and they BOTH cast at around ..4565, and were bought several years apart.![smilie=f: And I paper patch the 340, use it in my Marlins. Wish the maufacturers would make them all about .002 over nominal diameter. Lots easier to size 'em down than to size 'em up!

randyrat
02-21-2010, 08:34 AM
Paper patch that bullet and buy another mold. different brand.

Jim
02-21-2010, 09:49 AM
I think I would call Lee and ask them to make it right.

Maven
02-21-2010, 10:37 AM
What Jim said!

duckndawg
02-21-2010, 03:56 PM
I have the same mold and the same issue. I beagled the mold, but have to go more. Mine is dropping WW/soft mix at .457 and I need to size at .459. I'm thinking that it is time to do my first lapping job.

Auscaster
02-23-2010, 11:45 PM
I actually logged in to post the same problem, then stumbled across this post. I also have a new Lee 547-405F mould that drops at .545, i was wondering if my 9 - 1 ww and tin mix was wrong for this mould or something, although i use the same lead recipe in my 30/30 and 303 moulds and have no problems. Do you think if i return the mould for another i will end up with the same result? (Mind you, i loaded the undersize boolits over 32gr of 4198 and shot 1" groups at 50 yards out of my new H&R Buffalo Classic with peep sights....Can't really complain hey!! :-o)

35remington
02-24-2010, 01:33 AM
They've been running that whole line of moulds undersized for awhile. I had to get Lee to send me one that cast .460 factory direct.

My original 405 cast .457 to maybe barely .458 with lino and yeah, that was wasteful, but it didn't matter.

Thru my microgroove Marlin, the first several bullets with whatever load or alloy I was using would keyhole. Then after the leading built up, it would shoot pretty good for awhile, then went to hell as the leading got worse.

44man
02-24-2010, 10:03 AM
Under size has been a problem for me for 56 years with store bought molds. They seem to think all .45 guns are .457". But it does not end there, you can get under size with every caliber.
Look at the mold number, it says 457-405 and I can't figure out why they even fool with that when a 460-405 can be made to fit most guns. I will not buy any mold that says 457. Just how lucky would I be if it dropped a .459" boolit?