Which Lee .44cal 240 Mold?

[DanM]

I have several .45 cal. Lee molds in the six gang size. Most have the TL style lube grooves. Am ready to get another sixer in .44/240, and am wondering which to get. Should I stay with the TL-SWC (#90357) design, or go to the more standard looking 240/SWC (#90483). I do want to tumble lube, and use a Lee sizer. I don't expect to need gas checks, but could be wrong about that. I will be loading for a 629, a Marlin 94, and a Contender. Mix will be WW with extra tin added, and I have always water quenched my boolits. Can anyone compare their results with these two molds?

[454PB]

I have the Lee C429-240-SWC and use it in my .44 magnum loads with great results. A gas checked boolit is required if you're pushing over about 1300 fps. I personally prefer a heavier boolit, but if you want the lighter one this is a dandy. I've not used the tumble lube boolit.

[DanM]

Thanks, I just got the 310gr Lee mold for my heavy boolit. Haven't used it yet. Wanted a lighter bullet for plinking, too. Haven't done any casting for five yrs or so. Had good results from the Lee molds, but got out of it when I found a source for good cheap commercial cast boolits. Was getting .45/200s for $14/500, but no more. Will fire up the fish cooker soon....

[MTWeatherman]

I've got the C429-240SWC...don't have the TL bullet.

However, note that you plan to use it in a Marlin 94. It will not feed in a Winchester 94...hangs up on the edge of the chamber while loading. Although I can't address the Marlin...does seem to me it may have a feeding issue also. Perhaps some Marlin owners could answer that one for you.

For a lighter bullet, I went to the Lee 200 FN for that reason...

Also, my experience with both Lee .44 moulds were that they dropped at minimum dimensions...right at .429. Could be my bad luck...but others have complained about minimum dimensions on those .44 moulds also. So...if you're planning on a fatter bullet for that .44 (and many like them in their Marlins), you might be disappointed. I had to lap that 200 FN to get enough diameter for that 94 Winchester.