Lube groove question

[lablover]

Got my new Lee molds today 452-200-RF and 452-255-RF cleaned them up and started casting. Compared to my H&G 68 Noe clone, these lube grooves seem very shallow. I didn't think I ordered the tumble lube grooves? Not sure if thats what these are or I'm just such a newbie with my 2nd and 3rd mold ever I don't really know what a lube groove looks like..LOL:oops:

I sized them and they look to be what I will need for my new 45 Colt 1873. I also need to ask, that top grove that has the odd shape..Is that a crimp groove?

166185

[runfiverun]

it is.
you gently roll the edge of the case mouth into that crimp groove.

those lube grooves seem small but if you use a good lube it's actually more than enough lube volume.

[country gent]

Lube groove for regular lube will be square bottomed or round bottomed a tumble lube bullet is shallow and > shaped normally. Alot of lees moulds have shallower lube groove on them. In alot of calibers that dont require alot oflube it saves you lube.

[lablover]

Darn good points..Yea, 45 colt aint no speed demon. I will say I'm happy the way they are casting......so far :)

[Lead Fred]

Arent those 45 ACP pills?
45 Colt should be .455 not .453?

[runfiverun]

if you need 455 for a modern 45 revolver I'd send it back and never buy another gun from that company again.

I have umm 6-10 45 colt rifles and revolvers here some where and I size to 452 for all of them.
I used to size to 453 for an older vaquero I had but I also was cutting down 454 casull cases for it.

[gwpercle]

Back in the old days the lubes were concoctions of animal fats, bear grease , mutton tallow , etc...and not that great. Modern lubes are better and not as much is required.
Hence modern designs will have narrow and shallower grooves . It's OK , just use a decent lube and don't worry.

[jcren]

Too you have to consider a lot of traditional 45 colt molds were designed to work with black powder lubes. Those are fine for modern powders and arms.

[45-70 Chevroner]

I have two older Ruger Vaqueros, the heavy ones and a Rossi 45 model 92. I have three different mold styles, a Lee 230 gr 2R TL, a Lyman 200 gr RFN and a Lyman 250 gr RFN. The Lee drops at .452 and both Lyman's drop at .453 These boolits all shoot great in all three guns. I tumble lube the Lee and run the Lyman's through a .454 sizer luber. No muss no fuss no leading.
I guess it would be a good idea to make a point here. As for the groves, even the tumble lube boolits carry enough lube to do the job.

[dudel]

The grooves are fine. If you are worried about them, powder coat them. There are molds designed for PC that don't even have lube grooves.

[quilbilly]

That particular mold (boolits pictured) produces boolits that shoot very well in both cylinders (45colt/45acp) of my Blackhawk and the boolits drop at 215 gr.

[44man]

Those boolits are fine and your casting is super. .452" is what you want too.
Just use a quality lube and enjoy.

[MarkP]

Those boolits are fine and your casting is super. .452" is what you want too.
Just use a quality lube and enjoy.

I agree with 44man; they look great.

[Echo]

Darn good points..Yea, 45 colt aint no speed demon. I will say I'm happy the way they are casting......so far :)

Good lookin' boolits - have you considered tumble-loobing? Should work like a champ...

[lablover]

I did try tumble lubing and pan lubing this weekend. The Tumble lube for sure worked better. Thanks for the Kudos on the good looking boolits. I have to say this is pretty Addicting. I will say a personal thanks to Bullwolf for helping me out with the tumble lube thing. It's amazing how just a few drops goes a long long way.