Lee 22 Bator

[BMW Rider]

Just a heads-up in case anyone is interested: Lee has custom overrun 2 and 6 cavity 22 Bator molds listed as available in the closeout section of their website.

[RustyReel]

I don't want one but it is nice to see they are showing SOMETHING in stock! Probably won't be for long.

[Gtrubicon]

Thanks for the heads up, I just completed my order for a 6 cavity mold.

[BMW Rider]

Glad I could help out! I'd love to hear how it shoots for you.

[Ateam]

Thank you for posting this, just picked one up, always wanted a Bator boolit mold.

[BMW Rider]

You're welcome Ateam. Give us a report after you receive the mold.

[Ateam]

I dont have any .22 cal gas checks on hand so I will plan on PC and low end loads to see if it will shoot in a cz 527. I guess it may be time to make one of those check makers. I need another project like I need another hole in my head...

Just brainstorming here, has anyone ever made checks out of spent 22 casings? Off down another cast boolits rabbit hole..

[richhodg66]

Is this the real deal Bator or what Lee is selling now which is a copy of the RCBS bullet? That for real Bator that Midsouth used to sell is a great bullet in .22 Hornet.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Is this the real deal Bator or what Lee is selling now which is a copy of the RCBS bullet? That for real Bator that Midsouth used to sell is a great bullet in .22 Hornet.

Judging by the Photo on Lee's website, it's the real Bator (short and fat) and NOT the RCBS clone.

[Ateam]

Right, I think this is the real deal bator, but will not know till it shows up

[Markopolo]

i have one.. its an awesome boolit in 22 jet also.. and I shoot em in my 223 bolt gun and contender

[richhodg66]

That Bator works real well with six grains of 2400 in the Hornet.

[Gtrubicon]

I purchased it with the hornet in mind, I just got a savage 219. Rich, are you installing checks or no? I have checks and I pc almost all my cast, I can go either way. The fun of testing is overshadowed by not wanting to waste primers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Markopolo]

i use checks on all mine

[Ateam]

The mold showed up yesterday, and wouldn't you know it my digital dial caliper took a dump. Good reason to finally order a new one (mitutoyo). Should be here next week and I will post some measurements.

[DeadWoodDan]

The mold showed up yesterday, and wouldn't you know it my digital dial caliper took a dump. Good reason to finally order a new one (mitutoyo). Should be here next week and I will post some measurements.

Order a micrometer. You will get the accurate measurement and will be helpful in your pursuit.

[BMW Rider]

Glad you got your molds. They're sold out from Lee, but for just $130-160 (plus shipping) you can now get them over on sleazebay. :coffee:

[Ateam]

You mean I should have bought them all and tripled the price on ebay and gouged my fellow loaders/casters? /sarc

[bangerjim]

I am not a bog fan of the Bator Lee mold. I started out with one several years ago and now own other designs that I feel are far better. Never use the Bator design boolit any more. I will probably give it to a local friend that is getting into AR's.

Good luck with your new mold and enjoy casting with it! You will find those little pills are a real bugger to PC and load into your brass.

But I am glad that someone out there DID have "excess" molds for sale in these stupid times! Some sleaze-bag scum-ball bought them all up and they are now on evilbay. Avoid that rotten place like a disease!!!!!!

bangerjim :Fire:

[Ateam]

ok, got a real micrometer too, so here are the measurements.

nose-.222
drive bands- .227
GC shank- .210 and no taper

cast of lino

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

that's a fat Nose, I believe the Spec is around .219 ?

[Ateam]

Not sure, seems to chamber fine in the cz, but she also has approx 15k varmint loads down the tube. I suspect the throat has moved back a bit. Hope to shoot some this weekend.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

If your rifles throat is eroded a bit, then I suspect that fat nose will be ideal.

[Gtrubicon]

My 6 cavity bator showed up last Saturday, Sunday am I casted around 300, powder coated, installed checks and sized to .225. I loaded some up at 6g 2400, shot them through my new to me savage 219, 22 hornet. The mold casted perfectly, the rifle shot very well at 50yds with iron sights. I’m going to load more this weekend, what a fun rifle.