Too Small Boolits!

[Echo]

DANG! I got a 4-banger 452374 mold on eBay, and the rascal throws TOO SMALL BOOLLITS! I beagled, with little result, so did a double-beagle, hitting both mold blocks. Now the major diameter is up to .455, but the minor is still .450. Without beagling, they almost dropped through the Star. Now they get sized, sorta, but the major diameter is .452, and the minor is still .450. Well, no surprise there. The boolits are really beautiful, but it ain't no beauty contest.

My next effort will be with a harder alloy. The first was standard WW+2%Sn. Will next try 50/50 WW/Lino, but does ANYONE have another idea aside from lapping the rascal out?

Dang...

[HangFireW8]

Switching alloys isn't going to get you much more than half a thousandth. If that.

I would try sending it back to Lyman and having THEM fix it. No one should have to accept a mold .001" under bore diamter. It is supposed to throw at no less than .452.

Just don't mention eBay. I've sent stuff back to them and they never demanded a receipt, it really was new but they didn't demand proof.

-HF

[Echo]

Thanks, HF - I guess that is the best thing to do. Dang - wanted to generate some of these RN's for the son's new 1911. My SWC loads don't chamber...

[longbow]

If I read this right, the mould is casting about 0.002" undersize?

You can lap that out quite easily if you are careful.

If it is a new mould and you can get it replaced then that's the best route but it used and not replaceable then you should be able to lap it out by a couple thou.

Longbow

PS: Okay then rereading you said you didn't want to lap it... sorry wrong advice.

[mooman76]

Laping is about your only choice unless you what a machinest to inlarge it but that might cost more than you want or more than a new one.

[runfiverun]

you are fighting the cut size opening, one way is fine, by being beagled.
but you are not gonna open the other way unless you have it cut bigger that direction.
pour linotype and lap it yourself or send it in.
or get a larger sizer and shoot it beagled.
have you tried shooting them?

[Echo]

LB - I didn't say I wouldn't lap, I just indicated i didn't want to. Looks like it may be the only way to get it right, if Lyman turns me down.

R5R - Too true - expecting the impossible. No, haven't tried them on the range. Afraid they will lead. But what the heck, can't be terrible. Will stuff some in front of a few grains of whatever and see.

[johnly]

You've hit on my #1 peeve with most bullet molds, they cast too small.

People making molds should know that they are used .001" to .002" over bore diameter, and so the molds should drop bullets at least .002" over the standard bore diameter. I've found Lee and RCBS to often drop sub-sized bullets, even when cast from linotype. That's not all bad sometimes... My .375" 250 gr. RCBS mold drops at .374" and can be sized to use in my 9.3x57 which slugs at .369-.370".

John

[NSP64]

I bought two new molds from midway. Both Devastators. 44 and 45. The 44 cast .429 and the 45 cast .451. I lapped and beagled the 44 (it now casts .433) and just lapped the 45( it now casts .452):drinks:

Did them both in half a day.