Lee Round ball molds - any caveat?

[victorfox]

hi folks. I just got email response from the Army Dept in Brazil about some questioning about mold and slugs importing and they told me it's not a controlled product (meaning I'm free to buy and import - man I'm very happy with these news!).

Thing is I'm quite short of funds and decided to buy a Lee single or double RB mold, which runs about $30 or less.

my gun has a bore of .447 (smoothbore judge) and I'll be loading the balls on cut .410 brass magtechs (at 45 colt length).

Will a .451 give me a .451 size generally or it will be smaller? will use mainly range lead and ww scraps.

thanks.

[rancher1913]

will depend on your alloy, probably will want to size the balls to the right size.

[singleshot]

I wouldn't size them if they fit in the cylinder.

[victorfox]

Im asking this because I read some posts around about a .454 dropping as .451.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

victorfox

I would suggest the largest that will fit in the case.

I did some quick research on the internal diameter of the Magtech .410, and the Circle Fly Wads website list the inside diamter of Magtech .410 as .433
Their Nitro Cards and fiber wads for this are .430

Hold off on ordering a mold until you see what you need.
I already have the .445 cast up. Will try to get the .437 done this weekend. Glad to hear you can import these now. I was dreading drilling holes to turn them into fishing weights. I'll try to get some .429 done too, just in case that is what is needed.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

Lee Precision list the following diameters of round ball molds on their website:
.433
.440
.445

If it turns out that .445 is what you need, don't order a mold. I have two of them, and sold my rifle over a decade ago.

[victorfox]

Charlie Im lost for words to thank you enough. Dont drill anything I can receive the RBs as they are.

After I cut the brass the lower portion is larger diameter than original mouth and even the smooshed 447 is a little loose inside, that's why im thinking a larger size will give a better fit.

thanks again for your efforts and help

[RU shooter]

As to your original question on what a RB mould will drop at , on the couple Lee molds I've had with pure lead 2 have dropped right on spec 2 others a thou under and one a thou over with an alloy with some tin or antimony in it I'd say your would get results at spec or 1-2 thou.over spec

Tim

[victorfox]

thanks this is good news.