Lee 45 ?

[686]

can any one tell me if lee mold # 90697 452-200 rf cast 452 or bigger? it is listed as a 45colt. is 45 colt sized 454 or 452? this would be for sa guns . cowboy shooting.

[docone31]

Mine are all loaded, so I do not have any to measure.
However, when I sized them to .451 for my ACPs there was drag on the push thru sizer. I would guess they are at least .452. If you need them a little larger, they could be polished out to .452+ with lapping compound.
They do make a good casting.

[yondering]

mine are approximately .452". Lee molds, especially the 2 cavity molds, tend to vary in size quite a bit, so if you order one, it might be anywhere from .451" to .455" (that's the range I've gotten with my 2 cavity lee 45 molds).

What size you need depends on the gun. Lots of 45 Colts need .452" boolits. Seems like it's mostly the old SAA style with way oversized throats that need .454"

[Halo_Ranger]

Mine come out .451 to .452. I am running them through a .452 sizer for my Kimber. It makes nice big round holes.

[putteral]

My Lee double cavity mold drops them out at .453
:drinks:

[243winxb]

Mold weights & Bullet Diameter
Lee's weights are based on a 1 part tin to 10 part lead mix. Harder alloys produce lighter bullets, and pure lead will produce a heavier bullet. Add antimony for larger & harder bullets. Mold diameter tolerance

Lee's 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. You could probably use one of our standard molds at as-cast diameter with good results.

If the bullets are oversize or out of round the mold is not fully closing. A build up of lube, splash of lead, or a burr on the mold block faces are holding them apart. Inspect the mold block faces and carefully remove anything that might hold the mold apart. Make sure to lubricate the locating pins with solid alox/beeswax bullet lube, Lee part number 90007. If these steps are followed the bullets will cast dimensionally correct.

[Leftoverdj]

IME, Lee moulds are most likely to cast .001 over nominal diameter. I've got at least two dozen Lee moulds. 2-3 cast dead on nominal, another half dozen cast .002 over. I've never seen one that cast .004 over.

[686]

243winxb you sound like an lee emp. do you work for lee?

[KCSO]

Mine cast out at .4525 from a new mould and .453 after lapping out the burrs. Mine works fine in my 45 ACP loads.

[243winxb]

243winxb you sound like an lee emp. do you work for lee? No, I have been casting for over 30 years. Most of what Lee said is good info. so i just copy and paste from Lees website. Should be a link below this post. Plus Lyman has a FAQ on there page. Redding Reloading also has a good link to managing bullet diameter. But my "bible" is the Lyman cast bullet book i learned with.

[686]

it used to be 45 acp was sized .452 and 45 long colt sized .454 . this bullet is for 45 long colt . it is a round nose with a flat point. it would be a good cowboy sass bullet. i just wanted to know if it casted .452-.454 . ruger said there 45colt barrel was.450-.452 . are the newer 45 colt barrels at .452 now instead of .454 ? thanks

[243winxb]

are the newer 45 colt barrels at .452 now instead of .454 ? Yes. Modern Barrels now take a .452" bullet. Lee list your mould as dropping a .452" bullet. If your bullet drops from the mould undersize, add more antimony content, WW or Linotype.

[mpmarty]

Bearing in mind that some foreign manufacturers don't hold tolerances, all 45 Colt aka 45 long colt revolvers since post WWII have had .452 barrels. Colt and S&W revolvers in this caliber prior to WWII were held at .454

[686]

Thanks for all the help. I thought the newer guns were .452 but was not sure. Thanks

[moses]

I have a new lee 45 .452 six cavity mold and it drops the boolits @ .454-.455
I want them to be .452
They should size fine shouldn't they?

Sorry for kiddnapping your thread.

[Rico1950]

686,
Cast your bullets to cylinder throat diameter and all will be well.

[243winxb]

I have a new lee 45 .452 six cavity mold and it drops the boolits @ .454-.455
I want them to be .452
They should size fine shouldn't they?

Yes, sizing to .452" will work well. Adding pure lead to your alloy will make bullets smaller. Adding antimony will make the diameter larger as the bullet drops from the mould. Also, to reduce the size of the bullet as it drops from the mould, adjust the pot temerature to its highest setting. A very hot alloy will shrink more on cooling in the mould. If the bullets become frosted, this will not hurt a thing as long as the bullet diameter is correct.