best Lee mold for sub-sonic in 300BO???

[KenH]

Hello all - I've got an old Ideal 311415 mold I've just today in my brand spanking new 300BO. I just got the Anderson 16" barrel yesterday, cut the existing carbine gas tube to pistol length, put it all together and it's all working good - or so it seems.

The cast bullets are from the Ideal 311415 mold I've had for many years (since '70's) alloyed to about 10BHN (pencil test). This is a spire point bullet, but flatten nicely when I pushed thru a .311 sizing die with gas check. I used a clear Powder coat rather than lube. I'm thinking the flat nose isn't good for magazine feed? I'm not experienced at all with AR15 platform.

Problem is these bullets require at least 1200 to 1300 fps to cycle. I would like to shoot subsonic and am looking for a mold. I read the Lee TL309-230-5R has problems with a small .304" band in front giving a very short barrel support. The BT design doesn't impress me very much either, not for cast.

Any suggestions for a decent 200+ grain Lee mold that will cycle subsonic 300BO?

Thanks to all for any help,

Ken H>

[waco]

The Lee 309-200-R is the only other Lee bullet in that weight I think.

[KenH]

Thanks for the input, I had looked at that mold, but is the diameter past the last band small enough to extend into the bore? With the 300BO I'm concerned it will have to be seated too deep. Any ideas on the diameter of the nose of this mold?

[waco]

I have never cast with it.I have the 180. The nose on it is around .301" with my alloy. ACWW w/2% tin.

[ih8unot]

I hate the lee 230, got an NOE 311-247 and its been awesome.

[Tackleberry41]

I avoided the Lee due to the issues I have had with their molds, and I was given some of the Lee 230gr somebody had cast, they were worthless, as nothing on the bullet came close to 308 much less 309. Yea could be the guys casting technique, but I have had plenty of issues w undersized bullets from Lee molds. I had to 'leement' my 170gr Lee mold for it to be usable in a 308 bore. Pushed the 200gr Lee mold onto the back of the shelf as it puts out undersized bullets. I bought a Lyman and NOE mold so not worth messing with.

The Lyman 200gr that works well, I have used it in 30-30, 308, 7.62x54r. 30-30 and 7.62x54r. I have been running subsonic, but not concerned about cycling a weapon. That 200gr works fine full power in my 308 cetme. I have the NOE 247 black out mold. Will work in the 7.62x54r, just depends on the bore. Works fine in my 30-30, has a 1-8 barrel in it.

If the OP wants consistent, quality bullets, skip the frustrations of the Lee and just pay for a better mold.

[KenH]

Thanks to all for the input - and it agrees with what I found myself on the Lee 309-230-5R mold. I did a bit of work on the mold making it pretty much a smooth side, with diameter going all the way back to base of bullet. This turned to about .309 for the back half inch. With powder coating, this allows me to size bullet to .310 for that last half inch. I've only had a chance to fire a few rounds at subsonic speeds - got a group about 1/2" vertical by 2" horizontal at 50 yds. Not a "great" group by any means, but maybe it's got potential? I've not had a chance to work with it anymore. I just got a DRO for the milling machine and just finished that today. Hopefully the next day or so I'll get to cast up some more for testing. I've also got a Lyman 311465 mold, 122 grain I'm wanting to try out. I've got several cast up with Linotype but they are lubed with Alox type lube and I've fallen in love with powder coating.

Thanks again for the suggestions and info.

Ken H>