Problem with Lee 401-175 mold

[High Lord Gomer]

I am using this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/333143/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-tl401-175-swc-40-s-and-w-401-diameter-175-grain-tumble-lube-semi-wadcutter

Loaded up some with 4.5gr of WST and only got 164 PF at 940fps. Bumped it to 4.7 and the PF only went up to 166 at 950fps. To top it off, on the last stage of the match yesterday I had 4 of the 24 rounds go sideways through the paper.

When I mic the bullets the base is the only part that makes .401 / .402. The grooves above that are all down around .398. I have not sized any of these (don't have dies, yet). The only portion of the bullet that is wide enough to engage the rifling seems to be very short. Is it possible that it is not enough to properly spin the bullet and/or seal the gas?

[exdxgxe4life]

might need more tin in your alloy. Might help the mold fill out better.

[garym1a2]

WST is temp inverse, while many use it to make major, WSF will be easier and do it at a lower pressure.

[High Lord Gomer]

My mix was 96-2-2. It seemed to fill the mold, the design just seems to have a relatively small base (in terms of the vertical height of the base that is a full .401/.402.

[MT Gianni]

I have 3 lee molds for the 40, the 140 & the 2 175's. All cast out at closer to 0.405". I use ww and think this is a mold issue or an alloy one. You should get a fatter bullet from these molds.

[High Lord Gomer]

Would the fact that I am dropping them in water have any significant effect on size?

[High Lord Gomer]

BTW, I *assume* what I mixed was 96-2-2. the lead was all from pellets melted down from the JROTC rifle team and I assumed those were pure lead so I added 2% tin and 2% antimony.

[Ford SD]

I am using this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/333143/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-tl401-175-swc-40-s-and-w-401-diameter-175-grain-tumble-lube-semi-wadcutter

Loaded up some with 4.5gr of WST and only got 164 PF at 940fps. Bumped it to 4.7 and the PF only went up to 166 at 950fps. To top it off, on the last stage of the match yesterday I had 4 of the 24 rounds go sideways through the paper.

When I mic the bullets the base is the only part that makes .401 / .402. The grooves above that are all down around .398. I have not sized any of these (don't have dies, yet). The only portion of the bullet that is wide enough to engage the rifling seems to be very short. Is it possible that it is not enough to properly spin the bullet and/or seal the gas?

I assume you are shooting a 40 S&W, as you did not say
Are these air cooled or water dropped ?
Are your Boolits leading the barrel ?
Barrel length will make a difference in velocity

I have used the Lyman 175 g mold.
I used WST as a practice powder as it will mot make major easily.--------> Win data if you do the math = 164pf with a 170g lead Boolit

I use WSF I had to go to the max of the published data to make major (175pf) when I was shooting IPSC with my gun/ short barrel length combination 10 years ago
I also with that load I had a comfort zone made 177 -178 pf as my progressiv press liked to throw the odd low one 174 pf

With my short barrel I think I was loosing about 10pf I was also getting a bit of leading I think too hard of a bullet/undersize

When I was working up loads lots of rounds went flying over the crono and if they did not make major = practice rounds for later

WSF also had a lower published pressure for a higher Velocity[smilie=w:

[popper]

You should get a fatter bullet from these molds They do for me, with almost any alloy, even 1% Sb, 0% Sn .403-.405. Mould up to temp to get those little grooves to fill out right? What is the nose band? I think it was Felix that said the pellets aren't pure, maybe bismuth. Leementing tape?

[runfiverun]

you need the diameter on the front of the boolit to help it engage the rifling.
you seen the sideway's boolit holes that happen if you don't stabilize them.

you need more diameter.