Lee 7.65/.303 mold

[Ilwil]

I'd appreciate imput about this mold, a round nose, gas check, 185 grain, ,312 design. I have a #4 Long Branch and a 1909 Argie that I would like to start shooting with cast loads. Can I expect reasonable results with it, or does (in your experience) try to do too much for too many calibres? Thanks.

[n.h.schmidt]

I have two of them. One is modified (lapped out bigger) and works well in a 303 I have. The other is stock and works good in some of my other rifles including a 7.65 Arg. It all depends on the bore size.Most 303's are on the bigger side and need larger slugs like .314
n.h.schmidt

[RU shooter]

I'd appreciate imput about this mold, a round nose, gas check, 185 grain, ,312 design. I have a #4 Long Branch and a 1909 Argie that I would like to start shooting with cast loads. Can I expect reasonable results with it, or does (in your experience) try to do too much for too many calibres? Thanks.

That boolit does indeed shoot well in many rifle that it fits well,And that is the Key "fit" The SC mould I have drops with WW alloy .313x.302 on the nose .But lee moulds tend to vary from one to another.You need to see what size your barrel is first .There are ways to make a mould cast bigger but there are limits .


Tim

[1Shirt]

The 185 lee shoots well in my Mk III, sized .314.
1Shirt!:coffee:

[Larry Gibson]

That Lee Bullet is excellent in my 7.64 Argentines (3 M91s and a M1909) and in my .303 but itis a Ross Mark 10. It also does extremely wel in my M39 Finn and Ishvesk M91/30 sniper 7.62x54R

Larry Gibson

[Bloodman14]

Ilwil, welcome! As stated, it all depends on fit; slug your bore and go from there. If you need oversized boolits, some of us can help; depends on the final numbers of your bore.

[Piedmont]

I have no experience with the Argentine but own and have experimented with several .303s. Even the tightest .303 (.3125") shoots very well with .316" cast bullets. My opinion is that .314 is too small for the vast majority of .303s.

[skeet1]

My 312-185 didn't work out in my Long Branch and I now use the Lyman 314999 sized .314. All was not lost with the 312-185. I now shoot it in my 03-A3 sized .311 and it shoots very well.

Skeet1

[Kraschenbirn]

Just like a previous poster, I have two of the Lee 312-185s...one "box stock" which drops at just a smidge over .313 for my '09 Argie and one that I've lapped out to drop .315-.316 for my Longbranch #4Mk1 and my MN 91/30. At velocities in the 1950-2100 fps range, it will equal, or better, ball-ammo accuracy in any of my .31 cal. milsurps.

Bill

[deadwood55]

My Lee C312-185-1R drops quenched ww alloy at .312 to .313. It shoots OK in my 1932 Tula 91/30 with 16 gr of 2400, but my 1943 No4Mk1* Savage Enfield keyholes using the same bullet and powder load. Don't know if crimping makes any difference, but I did do so.

My next step is to either lap out the Lee mold or buy a Lyman 314299. BTW my No4Mk1 and my 32 Tula both slug at .313 and are very nice mirror bright bores.

I should also note that I have been lurking here since last summer and learned a great deal from all of you about casting for my milsurps. Also of great use in my learning has been IV8888's YouTube videos.