Oversized bores - molds too small

[vincewarde]

Well after success with pistols calibers and my M1 Carbine, I decided to cast some bullets for some of my milsurps. I first slugged the bores:

M44 = .315
SMLE =.314
M95 = .332

Today I had Linotype in the pot, so I used that to cast a few bullets:

Lee 90371 .312 185gr drops at .313
Lee 90775 8x56 205gr drops at .330

So, I have two molds that are .003 to small. Can I gain that much by lapping the molds? What other problems might I encounter?

Thanks!

[Kraschenbirn]

A) Run a search for "beagling"; "adjusting" undersize Lee moulds has frequently been a topic around here.

B) I've lapped a Lee 312-185-1R out to drop .3155-.316 for my Longbranch #4Mk1. Just take it slow and easy to minimize "out-of-round."

C) Try using something other than straight lino...might just gain a thou or two. I use 3 parts Lyman #2 to 1 part lino (water-quenched) for all my rifle rounds.

Bill

[462]

If you want to keep them, go the beagle route. Lapping can be done, if you want, once you find the proper diameter.

[kir_kenix]

Thats quite a big bore on the M44. It might take a combo of beagling and lapping to get a boolit up to that size. Could always go the custom route as well, but thats expensive compared to buchering a Lee. As has been said, the LINO will cast small, so I would try using the WW first.

[vincewarde]

Thats quite a big bore on the M44. It might take a combo of beagling and lapping to get a boolit up to that size. Could always go the custom route as well, but thats expensive compared to buchering a Lee. As has been said, the LINO will cast small, so I would try using the WW first.

Wow, in my limited experience with pistol bullets, LINO always cast bigger than WW and Lyman #2. I just checked some Lee 9mm's today and this was true - LINO cast about 3 thou over Lyman #2. Do WWs cast larger than either LINO or Lyman #2?

I will do a search on those terms and see if I can figure it out.

Thanks again for all the help - this forum is a great place!

[onondaga]

The 8mm bullets can be sized down for the M44 and SMLE easily with the right size die or a Lee push through that is honed out to the size you need, about .3165 would work for either. Maybe a different mold for the M95

Gary

[462]

According to Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook, linotype casts fatter than Lyman #2 and wheel weights. I cast wheel weights only, so can't speak from experience.

[longbow]

If you are looking for a new mould for .303 or fat .30 in a heavy boolit it would be hard to beat the NOE 316299.

I got one and it casts 0.315" which is perfect for my sloppy Lee Enfield with 0.315" throat and 0.314" groove.

It looks like NOE is out of stock on that one but I am sure it will be re-run.

The NOE 311365 is in progress now and can be had in 0.316".

Other than that, you've got the suggestions of Beagling, lapping or both. I did both on my Lyman 314299 because it cast small. It worked but I replaced it with the NOE 314299.

Longbow

[Dale53]

According to Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook, linotype casts fatter than Lyman #2 and wheel weights. I cast wheel weights only, so can't speak from experience.

I CAN speak from experience and Lyman is correct...

Dale53

[Bret4207]

Try Lee's 338 boolit for the M95. The others? Custom is easiest.

[kir_kenix]

I stand corrected. I don't know what I was thinking or referring to the other day when I posted that...Lino will cast larger then WW. Good thing you don't believe everything you hear on the net, some nut may give you bad information :)
Jon Schram

[Larry Gibson]

I second onadaga's approach; size down 32/8mm bullets for the M44 and SMLE. Easy to lap a .314 Lee sizer to the right size. The Lyman Lovern style 323470 is a favorite of mine for this. Just lube and seat the GC with a .32/8mm sizer first and then size it down. Also as mentioned by Bret a 338 bullet should work fine "as cast" for the M95.

Larry Gibson

[Wayne Smith]

If you end up looking for a mold for the M95 (grove of only .332 isn't bad for them!) BRP has the Oldfeller Frankenstein mold available for single purchase. You don't have to wait for a group buy. A search here will find the original thread on this boolit - it came from a miss-cut Lee mold!