Plain base a 180 gr. Lee , 30 cal. mold

[Ben]

Longbow,

You're right,........ " Customized " with a few of the targets shown should bring a " King's Ransom " on Fleabay. I'm amazed at how people use the word vintage there.

I do plan on getting me a .3125" reamer. Just a matter of time.

I'm no machinist ! ! !.............The fact that this one turned out so well should be attributed to simple poker luck .

Ben

[Smitty's Retired]

Ben, thanks for posting the info and the targets. Good looking boolits and some great groupings.

Doc, did you use a HSS or Carbide reamer. Just wondering which would give the best finish, or would it matter on a Lee mould?

Thanks,
Smitty

[Ben]

Smitty

Ben, thanks for posting the info and the targets. Good looking boolits and some great groupings.
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Anything we can do down here, you can easily duplicate.
Shooting plain base bullets in .30 cal. rifles is just plain FUN ! !

[Doc Highwall]

Smitty, a HSS reamer would be good for cast-iron, aluminum, or brass.

[Iowa Fox]

Nice write up and pics. Thanks for the report.

[lastborn]

I will have to try this on a 170 gr. lee I have. Very nice pics and groups Ben.

[big bore 99]

I'm a retired tool maker and we used to make a deal called a "dreamer". Just put a small radius on the corners of the drill. I'd try turning the chuck of the machine by hand.

[frkelly74]

This shows up from the distant past right after I bought a 311041 6 cavity plain base mold off ebay, Which does cast a nice boolit by the way. I just might try the dreamer method on some other molds that are currently under used. Ben has taken away the fear.

[Steve Steven]

Guys,
You can get reamers from MSC (www.mscdirect.com ) in 1/2 thousandths sizes. I just looked up a .310 dia reamer, they listed 10 of them varying in price from $27 to $106. Chose what you want to use and go for it.
http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/H...963+4288139639

Look under chucking reamers. Use in a good drill press or milling machine, turned very slow (less than 40 RPM) Or turn by hand with the belt taken off. Use lots of lube (wd40) and pull out often to clear chips.

Steve