Scratched mold

[TonyR]

I’m just getting into casting and my Lee .223 mold just got delivered today. I bought it off an individual on EBay used. When I got it, I noticed one of the molds was scratched up on one side. I didn’t think it would hurt anything and started casting.

The above picture is the results. The bullet on the left is from the unscratched mold and the one on the right is from the scratched mold. My question is, is there anyway to remedy the mold so it casts a better quality bullet? Also, will I be able to load these bullets or should they be melted back down?

PS the photos on the eBay listing did not have these scratches showing and it was bought in “used”

Thanks


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[Evoken]

Someone more versed in this will chime in shortly I'm certain. However it looks to me that the boolit on the right was cast from a cavity that was way to cold.
I would remelt it if it was me.
Ken

[Bashby]

Can you get some pictures of the scratched mold?

[TonyR]

Can you get some pictures of the scratched mold?

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[TonyR]

Plan on powder coating, would that fill the divots enough to make the bullet useable ?


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[ShooterAZ]

Yikes, that mold has some issues. I'd get back in contact with the seller. If that is the Lee C309-150F, Midway has a few of them left as I'm typing this.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101021394?pid=720790

[TonyR]

Yikes, that mold has some issues. I'd get back in contact with the seller. If that is the Lee C309-150F, Midway has a few of them left as I'm typing this.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101021394?pid=720790

It’s a 225-55


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[garandsrus]

Get the mold hot, using a torch and use a pencil eraser or something to clean all the splatter off the mold. It looks like a mess.

[DHDeal]

No offense, but that thing is beat all to he// and back. It looks like an example of all the bad stuff that can be wrong with a mold. A big glob of something between the cavities, top of the mold damaged, parting lines gouged, deep scratches in the cavities, assorted deep scratches on the faces, and who knows what the sprue plate looks like.

I'd definitely contact the seller. If you're just beginning to cast then you don't need to have to fight with a bad mold along with the learning curve of all of the other stuff.

Again, I'm not trying to be rude, but you're not going to be happy with that mold.

[Bashby]

Can’t tell if those are scratches or raised areas from lead deposits. Looks like some of each.

[country gent]

Pick up some bamboo skewers at the store. Use 1 pointed end and drag against the scratches, this is to see if the raised material is still there. If it is round the end of a 3/16 hard wood dowel and slowly start rubbing with medium pressure along the outside edges of the scratches working slowly and carefully. Keep working in towards the scratch. Bet you can roll the metal back in to where it came from if its still there. Ive done this in die cast dies moulds that were dinged and bullet moulds that had dings and scratches. On steel moulds I use a small rounded punch and 4 oz ball peen, but aluminum will move much easier than the steel.

You dint want to remove any metal just slowly and gently move the metal back into place

[Bazoo]

The mould is ruined in my opinion. It's possible, someone might clean it up. It appears to be scratched badly across the lube groove area. It's possible it would shoot okay with bullets from the better cavity. I agree with sending it back.

[TonyR]

I’m going to contact the seller and try to return it but I may be stuck with it. I can probably use it as a single cavity mold.

Sucks but I guess I learned my lesson not to buy something if there aren’t detailed photos.

Thanks for the help


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[Bazoo]

Maybe, someone here could work their magic on it for you, if you're stuck with it. I will be first to offer to clean it up best I can. That said, I spect others could do better.

[megasupermagnum]

My god, that is the worst bullet mold I have ever seen. Somebody used it to death, got a bunch of globs of stuff, likely lead on it, then tried to clean it with a wire wheel. Return it if you can.

[TonyR]

My god, that is the worst bullet mold I have ever seen. Somebody used it to death, got a bunch of globs of stuff, likely lead on it, then tried to clean it with a wire wheel. Return it if you can.

Yeah you can tell they used a dremel or something. Hard to tell in the picture because of lighting but that one cavity is shiny like they used a wire wheel


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[TonyR]

Maybe, someone here could work their magic on it for you, if you're stuck with it. I will be first to offer to clean it up best I can. That said, I spect others could do better.

I might take you up on that. Going to try and find another mold for 223 or maybe if I can find another caliber so I have something to keep me busy. I’ll use this one as a single cavity until I can get it shipped to someone to mess around with.


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[toallmy]

Even the top of the blocks are beat up . Send it back if you can .

[Rug480]

Man I hope they didn’t gouge you with covid/panic prices. That’s down and dirty

[TonyR]

Man I hope they didn’t gouge you with covid/panic prices.

It was $52 shipped. Idk what a good price is as I’m just getting into the hobby.


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