Lee 429-240SWC-GC w/out GC

[Boolseye]

Anybody ever shoot this boolit without the GC? I'd like to load up some mild .44 specials and skip the GC, but I notice that the driving bands are only around .426. Is this typical of this mold? the GC is right at .429 when it's attached.

[pmer]

Anybody ever shoot this boolit without the GC? I'd like to load up some mild .44 specials and skip the GC, but I notice that the driving bands are only around .426. Is this typical of this mold? the GC is right at .429 when it's attached.

Boolseye
I don't have any Lee molds but if your driving bands are .426... it doesn't sound like you'll have much luck with out the gas check.

Have you measured boolit driving bands from other casting sessions and or changed the alloy?

[Boolseye]

Yeah–they're all like this. It's definitely the mold–alloy's fine. Considering contacting Lee, as I'd like to be able to shoot these w/out GC. Perhaps it's the design–meant to be used exclusively with the copper disc. Seems wierd though. I remember thinking the bands looked shallow when I first bought it. It's a sweet little boolit, for all that.

[MT Gianni]

Another reason I sold this mold.

[btroj]

.426 = leading unless you have the tightest darn 44 in history.

Gas checks can't fix that either.

[Boolseye]

Thanks everyone.