Modifying Lee Molds for Lower Weight Bullets

[RGMJ]

Hi Guys,

I was reading a MidwayUSA review on the Lee 440 gr alum bullet mold for 500S&W bullet. One guy there mentions - " using a milling machine I removed some top metal from the mold to remove the gas check groove...to get cast bullet of 390gr.."

I was thinking of doing this for some of my Lee aluminum molds to cast lower weight bullets - sort of customizing a mold :

1. Have you guys done this?
2. Does it work ?
3. Can I do it for 6 cavity ?
4. What pre-caution or additional mods needed?

Thanks to all who will respond!!!

[Chicken Thief]

I'we done the exact same thing, i just used a lathe (what i had at the time).
As you can see i stopped just shy of the bottom of the GC cut in order to facilitate easy seating because of the rounded bottom.
I fixed the handle pins permanently with a center punch.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/R0010370.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/R0010371.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/R0010372.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/R0010373.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Skydning/R0010374.jpg

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) Yes
4) Deepen the spure plate screw hole and punch/fix the handle pins.
Cast on from therehttp://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm153/Chickenthief/Blandet/Smilere/img.gif

[geargnasher]

http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19214&d=1264398989
http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19213&d=1264398946

It works. Did mine with a hacksaw and file, wanted a "dual length" option by switching the sprue plate location.

Gear

[Fishman]

"It works. Did mine with a hacksaw and file, wanted a "dual length" option by switching the sprue plate location.

Gear "

Now that's pretty cool using hand tools.

[heathydee]

I cut down a double cavity Lee "Soupcan" mould here. http://garagegunsmithing.com/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=54&jfile=viewtopic.php&f=32&t=854
The resulting 103 grain boolit was used in 30 caliber rifles from 30 Carbine to 30-06 with reasonable results that were no worse than I had achieved with the un-modified boolit .

[RGMJ]

Hi Fishman,

You mention the use of a file. How did you make the cut flat and square to the mold body?

Thanks to all who replied!!!

[jhrosier]

I have access to a buddy with a milling machine.
I had the base band and first lube groove milled from a Lee 50-70 boolit mould to adapt it to the Smith carbine.
The sprue plate screw hole was just deep enough to work without deepening.
I cast a couple of boolits and had them in the cavity during the milling to prevent burrs from being pushed into the cavities. This worked and the edge of the cavity was perfect after milling.

Jack

[stubshaft]

I just did it to a Bator mold. I also had to cut a small relief in the handles when reassembling because I left the sprue plate screw full length and it hit the handle.