How to get my Lee mold to drop larger bullets

[shamu25]

I just picked up a pair of Lee molds in 200gr (452-200-RF) and 255 gr (452-255-RF). I am casting for a big bore air rifle and using a 50/50 mixture of soft roofing lead and wheel weights. I am running the Lee bottom pour pot at just over 900 degrees. These molds drop beautiful looking bullets but they measure only .450 to .451 on my digital caliper and drop through my Lee .452 sizing die with little to no resistance. The 200 gr mold drops bullets at 210 gr and the 255 gr mold drops them at 260 gr. I need fatter bullets. Did I likely get Lee molds that are simply cut too small? I am hoping to get bullets that measure at least .452 to .454. Thinking of calling Lee next week. Thoughts?

[guncheese]

doesnt mostly straight lead (you have that by the weight your throwing) cast small?
the molds were made to cast to size from straight wheel weights or lyman #2 or similar
i think your getting just about what you should be using that soft of alloy
using very soft alloy my 200gr molds toss 205gr so your REALLY soft hence really small

[Ben]

Your " digital caliper " may or may not be offering you an accurate reading on the dia. of your cast bullets.

You really need a quality brand dependable micrometer to measure cast bullets and KNOW the diameter of the bullet.

i have 3 different calipers, and don't trust a single one of them when it comes to measuring the diameter of a cast bullet properly.

Ben

[roberts1]

Do a search for how to beagle a mold which is simply putting some foil tape between the mold halves to open them up slightly. That might get you where you need to be. Another method is to use lapping compound a drill and a couple boolits to permanently make the mold a little larger by spinning them inside the mold. Never had to do either but have read about them both.

[Bzcraig]

Why are you running your pot at 900*, there is no reason to have your pot temp above 725

[MT Chambers]

Hmmm...Lee mold, Lee sizer, maybe time to re-equip.

[guncheese]

Why are you running your pot at 900*, there is no reason to have your pot temp above 725


hummm......
could the molten metal be so fat
that we are seeing a added percentage of shrink?

must take a very long time between pours

[guncheese]

Hmmm...Lee mold, Lee sizer, maybe time to re-equip.

hey ill never say that
i have plenty of good lee stuff and it all started good

[GhostHawk]

Not everyone can afford to start from scratch with the name brand stuff.

Lee molds especially are to me good tools, given their price point.

Will you go through 3 or 4 in the same time period as a single Lymon, perhaps.
And if you do you are still money ahead of the game.

But as mentioned above sometimes it isn't all about hardware.

The right alloy can have a significant effect.

Instead of pure lead try some inexpensive range lead, and add some tin.

[Maven]

shamu25, Go here and enter "beagling a mold" (no quotation marks): https://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=001951264366462437169:ggn3vg-bjum

[Tallbald]

"Not everyone can afford to start from scratch with the name brand stuff.

Lee molds especially are to me good tools, given their price point."

I agree very much. Lee has virtually everything I want and can afford. Were it not for Lee equipment I would not be into casting and reloading. Don

[dragon813gt]

Not everyone can afford to start from scratch with the name brand stuff.
Lee is a name brand. And a large brand name at that.

[Foto Joe]

I just cast a hundred or so out of the same mold yesterday. My bottom pour temps are running around 700° with COWW's weighing out at 208 gr +/-.5 and COWW and pure at 2:1 running 211 +/-.5gr. The diameter of both is .453-.4545

I think that the issue you've got is that you're casting way too hot and getting a lot of contraction on cool down. That aluminum mold shouldn't need to run that hot to get a good pour even on pure Pb.

[shamu25]

You guys are great....sure appreciate your thoughts on this. I am going to back the pot down to 700 to 750 and give her another try. I have had great results with Lee so far in both casting and reloading. After reading your comments I'm guessing my temp is way to high. If this doesn't do the trick I'll check out the other options. Appreciate it lots.

[Larry Gibson]

Back the temp down as you mention.

Add 2% tin to the COWWs before mixing with the lead.

Open the spout adjustment so the alloy comes out as fast as it can.

Pour each cavity separately and leave a healthy sprue, even if it runs off the plate.

Larry Gibson

[243winxb]

Lee molds are regulated with 10-1 lead tin mix. But this is of no help to you. You need to raise the amount of antimony in the alloy. Add Linotype. http://leeprecision.net/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/List/Index/4/molds-melters--furnaces-and-casting

[melloairman]

I just picked up a pair of Lee molds in 200gr (452-200-RF) and 255 gr (452-255-RF). I am casting for a big bore air rifle and using a 50/50 mixture of soft roofing lead and wheel weights. I am running the Lee bottom pour pot at just over 900 degrees. These molds drop beautiful looking bullets but they measure only .450 to .451 on my digital caliper and drop through my Lee .452 sizing die with little to no resistance. The 200 gr mold drops bullets at 210 gr and the 255 gr mold drops them at 260 gr. I need fatter bullets. Did I likely get Lee molds that are simply cut too small? I am hoping to get bullets that measure at least .452 to .454. Thinking of calling Lee next week. Thoughts?
You have received some good info . I do not know what type of AR you are casting for . Koreans seem to take up to a 10-12 bhn and remain accurate . And mine with TJ linners for barrels will go to 22 bhn and remain accurate . Keep in mine that PA . swaged bullets are 8 bhn Marvin

[62chevy]

"Not everyone can afford to start from scratch with the name brand stuff.

Lee molds especially are to me good tools, given their price point."

I agree very much. Lee has virtually everything I want and can afford. Were it not for Lee equipment I would not be into casting and reloading. Don

Amen to Lee works and is cost effective. And I'm with you on having Lee stuff and being able to afford it.

[sw282]

l started out with LEE stuff 40yrs ago and still use some..Their pots are great and sizers too..l will never forget the first ''BIG BANG'' l got from seating primers with a HAMMER on that $10 38spcl loading kit they sold..LEE is still in business too..They must be doing something right and will likely last another 40

[Slow Elk 45/70]

+1 for Lee products, cheap and they work if the operator is up to speed on what he is trying to do , but don't forget Murphy.....[smilie=1:

[Boolseye]

If all else fails, you can lap the mold.
When done carefully the results can be great. I believe I have a write-up or two on the subject–P.M. me if interested.
I have successfully lapped Lee 2- and 6-cavity molds. My best outcome was with a 6-banger .45 mold, TL252-230RN. Brought each cavity out from .251-.252" to .252-253" MAde a big difference in accuracy out of my 1911s.
-BE

[243winxb]

All thrifty (cheap) people love Lee. :mrgreen:
Lee-Our bullet mold tolerance is stated diameter, +.003/-.000 inch. We gauge our bullet molds with a "go/nogo" gauge, which tends to result in bullet molds that run on the high side of the tolerance.


Increasing mold diameter
Posted by on 20 October 2011 01:34 PM



If you need the mold diameter of your cast bullets to be increased just slightly, there is a way to accomplish this at no cost.

Apply some lube to the mold blocks face, away from the bullet cavity. Place a small piece of cigarette paper or writing paper to the lubed block.

When casting the bullet, the diameter of the bullet will be increased by the paper thickness. You can actually go up to about .010 before you begin to see lead flashing appear. While the bullet will be slightly out of round, this very minimum amount will not effect accuracy or the manner in which the bullet travels through the forcing cone and barrel of your gun.



Now you got to take up smoking to get the correct diameter. :bigsmyl2:

[shamu25]

Wow.....Lee memories. You guys got me to thinking about when I picked up a 12 ga Lee Loader way back in 1963 as I was into shooting clay birds then. I had a set up in my bedroom and would convince my girlfriend to stuff the wads into the casings....it sure would speed up the process. Sorta forgot how many years I have enjoyed Lee products. And to think that we've been married for 48 years now. Same girl but she refuses to cast bullets with me now a days.
And BTW....I lowered the pot to 750 degrees today and the bullets drop at .452. Hurray! The 900 degree temp was causing lots of shrinkage.

[Boolseye]

The 900 degree temp was causing lots of shrinkage.
I bet they were purty, tho!

[Foto Joe]

I started loading 45 Colt with a Lee Whack-A-Load in my late teens. My mom made her disapproval clear about me doing it in my room but I ignored her. On the fateful day that a large pistol primer went off while seating it I can still remember her yelling my full christian name through the ringing in my ears wanting to know if I was okay. I'd have been better off not answering.

[TheDoctor]

I remember reading a point someone made here about temps and size. The hotter the mold, the smaller the bullets. The mold materal expands with heat, more heat, more expansion. Since we're talking about two HALVES, if you think about it, it makes the cavity smaller, and out of round.

[243winxb]

Lee moulds must be more sensitive to extra heat than iron molds.:coffee:

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

Yep, good info. Turn the heat down and invest in a micrometer for accurate measurements.