P14, which mold to get? (or which mold to NOT get)

[c1skout]

My boy wants to get set up for cast in his P14. I've also got a Model 44 Nagant so this boolit will probably see service there eventually too. Right now his P14 is set up for the 150gn PPU factory ammo to hit poa at 100yds with the battle sight down (so as not to fiddle with the ladder for the close-in woods hunting we do), but the sight can be easily swapped out for heavier weight boolits moving more slowly.


I've been trying to decide out of the 5 offerings that Lee makes and think I'll order the 312-160-2R unless somebody has reason not to. I got lucky in that both the P14 and my Nagant have tight enough bores that the Lee push through 314 will make a good fit as long as the mold runs big enough.

I've looked at some of the other makers' molds and realize there are other options, but I would prefer to stay in the Lee price range if possible.

Are there any reasons to stay away from this mold for use as a plinking-hunting boolit?

[Bigslug]

Kind of a "family" topic. . . My P17 sporter is shooting wonderfully with NOE's 202 grain 311299. I was turned onto the design by a friend using the original Lyman in a Remington 30 (The factory P17 sporter built on leftover actions), and it was crazy-accurate out of that one as well.

He does a .312" version: http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=126

And a .314" version: http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=167

Both options in GC and PB versions as well as a few different cavity counts. Might be worth your time. I went with the 4 cavity aluminum for my .30-06 and it's dropping bang-on .311"

[LAGS]

The Lee 185 .312 will work fine in both rifles.
I shoot it in my MN's and Lee Enfields.
I took one of the .312 molds and Hand Lapped it out to .314 so it fit the LE's better.
You have to slug your bores anyway to find the best fit.
But that is what sizers are for.
If you can find a .314 or .316 you can size them all the way down to .309 with no problems.
Hand Lapping or even Beagleing is not that hard , so you can get more diameter out of your cast bullets.

BTW
I also shoot the Lee 155 2R GC in my MN's and LE but the LE likes heavier Bullets, and I suspect the P-14 will too.
I use mostly Reloader 7 for powder in all my rifle cast loads currently.

[Mr Peabody]

I use Lyman's 314299 in my P-14. Sized at .313 or .314 it shoots very good. Shorter boolits don't feed well from the magazine, like the 314160 from NOE.

[ukrifleman]

I use the Lee 175gn 8mm Mauser bullet gas checked to .314 with good results in my SMLE. It will hold a 2.5" group at 100m, bench rested if I do my part.

ukrifleman

[LAGS]

The Lee 175 gr 8mm sized to .316 shoots really well in one of my MN's with a .315 barrel.
With .312 bullets, that rifle Keyholed at 50 Yards.
Saved me from buying or modifying another mold , since I already shoot 8mm Mausers.

[c1skout]

Thanks fellows, I guess i'll get one of the heavier molds to avoid any potential feeding issues. How large does that 8mm bullet drop? Could I size it down to .314 in one step with the Lee push-through?

[LAGS]

My Lee 8mm mold drops it with most alloys at .324.
I size them in one move to .315 using Silicone spray lube seating the GC at the same time
Then I clean them in Acetone, and Powdercoat them.
I do them down to .309 in two steps.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I use both 190gn and 220gn CBE boolits in my P14. They drop from the mould at .314 and shoot exceptionally well of a bench. With our Pacific peso around 30% less than US you could get one of these double cavities that throws different boolits and features 3 alignment pins for perfect results!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/DC303_zpsb890b37f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/DC303_zpsb890b37f.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/303Cast_A_zps70f4939e.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/303Cast_A_zps70f4939e.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/303CBE220_zpsa6bd00c3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BAWallace/media/303CBE220_zpsa6bd00c3.jpg.html)

[JeffinNZ]

I highly recommend the right hand bullet in BAW's post above. CBE 313 220. Mine casts nearer .316 and the SMLE loves it.

[c1skout]

Thanks for the info guys, and the look at those molds from CBE. I think I'll get the Lee 8mm mold for now, never know when an old Mauser might pop up!

On another note, my boy shot a doe with the old P14 this morning! 70 yards with the PPU 150gn sp factory ammo, she made a kick and ran up the hill a little piece, then fell over. He's tickled with this old war horse so far.

[Lonegun1894]

Congratulations to your son!

I use the Lyman314299 now, but had decent luck with the Lee .312-160 sized to .314". The Lee shoots fine out to 100yds (1.75-3"), but seems to fall apart at 200yds though (10"+), while the Lyman still holds a 4-5" group at 200in my rifle while matching the Lee at 100yds. I can't seem to improve on this with either bullet though.

[vzerone]

The LEE molds I had were woefully undersized. My vote is for the Lyman 314299.

[Good Cheer]

Lee's can be almost like a mold kit that's easy to enlarge to the size needed. :popcorn:
I would cringe at lapping a fine old Ideal or good quality Lyman but a Lee... that's what it's for!

[Shooter6br]

I have a sporterized ( I bought it that way) American Enfield Has 5 grove orginal barrel (30-06) The Accurate Molds clone of the 314299 seems perfect. Groove is .311.5 - ,312