7mm boolit diameter

[FrankG]

Can someone with a Lee 7mm mould tell me what diameter they throw ? My old Herters doesnt throw a large enough diameter, .290+" for a Chilean 95 I have.
I am using ww sweetened with 50/50 at around 12bhn.

Thanks

[357maximum]

My lee/midsouth 7mm soupcan throws an average of all 6 cavities of .2863 with an alloy of waterdropped 50%ww and 50% pure lead. This mould was bought about 3 months ago from midsouth directly.

[357maximum]

What number is your old ideal, and what does it actually throw for diameter? I have a 10 inch 7TCU that prefers .2855 boolits. Might be able to help with the fund raisin.:kidding:

[6.5 mike]

You will find alot of the contract guns have the old euorpean bore specs. My FN does, one of the things that made me take up paper patching. They also have very long throats. Factory bullets where 175 gr.

My lee 130 gr drops at 0.276 on the nose & 0.2865 on the bands.

[FrankG]

This groove is .290" and looks good , just large ! It slings jacketed all over at 25 yds worse than cast .

[357maximum]

LBT has several designs of that size if you have the money. I borrowed an lbt .290-140-sp mould from a friend and cast a bunch of em awhile back. It is looking pretty good in my fat old 7mauser 98 sporter with the stock barrel that has been ackleyfied. I have not got real mean with the loads yet but it is looking good.

It casts 133.4 grains and at .2909 in my WD'ed 50/50 alloy.

[FrankG]

I slugged bore again and checked a bit closer and found the lands were worn real bad and almost even with the grooves !
I cut off 1/2" and recrowned. Now have .288" groove and .280" land . The old Herters throws .289" so guess Ill be hand lubing or pan until I make a lube die. I have a .301" die I will try too after seating checks wit .287"die.

Thanks

[HangFireW8]

It sounds like you've been slugging the muzzle only, not the length of the bore. I do 3 sluggings, muzzle, through, and breech, about two or three inches for muzzle and breech.

I've usually found cleaning rod wear goes in at least 3 inches,but each specimen is unique.

HF

[FrankG]

No joy :( It still only got 3" for 3 shots at 25yds . 9.5 grs Red dot and 125 boolit . I tried same in another Chilean and its same . Niether will shoot jacketed either .

I have two good Turk 8mm barrels I think Ill be putting on in their place tomorrow ! I cut them down to 24" and crowned getting them ready .

[caseyboy]

My Lee 130g mould drops the boolits at 0.2755 on the nose and 0.2855 on the bands. I had to beagle the mould a couple of thous and then size to 0.2860. My Rem700 in 7-08 slugs at 0.2845.

[FrankG]

Thanks guys !
I cured it today . I pulled barrels from both Chilean rifles and rebarelled with the Turk 8x57 barrels I had put back . Cut them to 24" then refit front sights. Loaded some Lee 8mm cast with 4227 and both shot well at 25 yds ! So now I have something to work with and my two Grandsons will get some trigger time in !!