WidenersRotoMetals2Titan ReloadingRepackbox
Reloading EverythingInline FabricationLee PrecisionMidSouth Shooters Supply
Load Data
Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: I need my Lee Bator Mold Milled to Remove the Gas Checks, who can do it?

  1. #1
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    97

    I need my Lee Bator Mold Milled to Remove the Gas Checks, who can do it?

    Tried Lee Bators in my 5.7x28, didn't do so well. Got a Lyman 225450 (I think) with the pointy nose, and it works much better. The Bator mold has been getting dusty. I plan to put together one of those 22TCM9R Glocks though, and I think a shortened and lightened boolit from the Bator mold will be perfect. Problem is, I don't have a mill, or know what I'm doing. Who can slice a chunk off my mold for me and remount the plate? Thanks.

  2. #2
    Banned
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    2,725
    I had a mold milled. It was an aluminum Lee mold. Took it to the nearest machine shop. They did it for $10. It looked like they finished it off with a file but it was flat and correct.

  3. #3
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    97
    Our local machine shops aren't always staffed by people with good communication skills when it comes to English, I'd be nervous just popping into a place.

  4. #4
    Super Moderator




    Buckshot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    So. California
    Posts
    11,833
    .............Fly cutting a mould isn't a problem unless the mould blocks have issues.



    Fly cutting a Lee 6 cavity to remove the BB. Of most ANY mould maker, the Lee is the most prone to issues in their blocks. How they set them up to lathe bore the cavities I have no idea, after seeing many of them over the years. Usually the 6 cavity blocks are much better.

    Below is a Lee group buy SC done for a .470" 520gr slug for the 577-450 Enfield several years ago.



    Another problem with Lee moulds I've experienced over the years is: Old Design, with staked pins is that the owner cannot remove the pins to release the handles from the blocks, as you CANNOT set up the blocks for work with the handles attached.

    With the new design and the drive rivits used to attach the handles, IF you can remove them, once replaced they usually do not remain in place. Again the owner may not be able to remove them. So for Lee moulds it can be an issue to ship them in the USPS SFRB, which adds up to about $15 for shipping both ways. More if you, (the person doing the work) has to remove and then replace the handles.

    And it there is a problem like in the SC shown above, in getting them set up square to flycut, you can have considerable time used up in just getting them square to themselves. I've had a couple customers over the years who've simply told me to cash their checks and trash them.

    Since I quit doing custom machine work last year (after 12 years of it) I can offer the above info fully assured I can say 'NO' if someone asked me to do the work

    ................Buckshot
    Father Grand Caster watches over you my brother. Go now and pour yourself a hot one. May the Sacred Silver Stream be with you always

    Proud former Shooters.Com Cast Bullet alumnus and plank owner.

    "The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."

    Shrink the State End the Fed Balance the budget Make a profit Leave an inheritance

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Central TEXAS
    Posts
    538
    Buckshot worked on a ten cavity H&G mould for me couple of years ago, and I can assure you that his work is excellent.

  6. #6
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    97
    Oh I figure this is going to be expensive no matter what. I found a guy that does hollowpoint conversions, and he offers a similar service to what I'm looking for, I think it costs about $50. Gotta pay to play, right? Anyone know of a round nose, 40ish grain .225 boolit mold on the market instead?

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    SW Florida
    Posts
    392
    Erik @ hollowpoint molds can do it and does it in the cavities and does not flycut the mold and reduce the weight (unless that is what you want?) His work is great and bullets cast great.
    http://www.hollowpointmold.com

  8. #8
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    97
    Yeah, that's the guy I came across before. I'll give him a holler, thanks.

  9. #9
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Posts
    247
    A Lee mold is easy. You need a NEW sharp mill file, a machinist's square and patience. Final finish should be with 400/600/1000/1500 wet paper laid on a thick piece of glass.

  10. #10
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    97
    No idea what that guy is talking about, I'm not even sure what he's trying to accomplish, looks like he's making an anvil by hand or something.

    What would a sharp mill file and a machinist's square cost?

  11. #11
    Boolit Master


    williamwaco's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Dallas Texas
    Posts
    4,690
    Quote Originally Posted by 475AR View Post
    Erik @ hollowpoint molds can do it and does it in the cavities and does not flycut the mold and reduce the weight (unless that is what you want?) His work is great and bullets cast great.
    http://www.hollowpointmold.com
    ERIK ROCKS. you will not be disappointed.
    First reload: .22 Hornet. 1956.
    More at: http://reloadingtips.com/

    "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the
    government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian."
    - Henry Ford

  12. #12
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    97
    Woah, that guy is excited for scraping. Erik got back to me and confirmed my guesstimate. My eyeballing measurements and quick math say that I'll end up with about a 44 gr boolit at .440", hope that works. Barrel is a 1:16 and I'm expecting speeds around 1800.

    This all may be a moot point as well, I just ran a stability calculator and got 1.55 worst case scenario, which is still plenty stable.

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy fred2892's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Norfolk, England
    Posts
    397
    "Anyone know of a round nose, 40ish grain .225 boolit mold on the market instead?"

    Yes, the NOE 225107 is a 37 grain .225 mould that ends up pretty close to 40 grains after gas check and lube.

    Sent from my BN NookHD+ using Tapatalk
    Last edited by fred2892; 08-06-2017 at 12:40 PM.

  14. #14
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    97
    That nose might be a little long, but the 226-45-RF with a plain base might work if the Bator doesn't.

    The round on the right is what I'm dealing with.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	22TCM.jpg 
Views:	14 
Size:	20.3 KB 
ID:	201224

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check