LEE 452-255-RF ??

[Hylander]

Gun: Ruger New Vaquero .45 Colt.
Mold: LEE 452-255-RF

Questions:
1: What is the proper seating depth for this bullet.
2:Why does every LEE mold I buy drop small ?, other brands of molds I use drop right were they are suppose to.
This one drops .4505 to .451, they slide right through my .452 sizer barely touched.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

That bullet has a crimp groove, use it and the length will be fine for most SA revolvers. I used to shoot the Lee 200 gr. for CAS. The nose on the 200 is the same as on the 255 from the crimp groove forward.a good shooting bullet.
As far as Lee molds casting undersized bullets, give Lee a call and explain your issue. I think they can fix you up.

 

[Rick Courtright]

2:Why does every LEE mold I buy drop small ?, other brands of molds I use drop right were they are suppose to.This one drops .4505 to .451, they slide right through my .452 sizer barely touched.

Hi,

Can't answer your question 'cept with another question: have you played around with the heat of your alloy when using the Lee molds? I've found they work better at higher heats with either straight wheelweights or a commercial hardball alloy (similar to Lyman's No. 2.) By "better" I mean more consistent sizes, all of which (from my favorite molds, at least!) need sizing to get to the target diameter.

Rick C

 

[GP100man]

Have you used a release spray/heavy smoke on the mold cavitys ???

If so clean it & give it another try . As RC suggests try different temps alloy, but if it still drops under sized give Lee a holler.

 

[Hylander]

No release agents, no smoke, just clean and cast.
Called Lee a few times, their response was pretty much "to bad for you"

 

[Jim Puke]

A quarter's worth of aluminum tape will solve your undersize problem...quickly.

I have a couple that I put the tape in...works great...and was easier,for me, than messing with Lee.

http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/MoldMods/BDE.pdf

 

[GP100man]

Jim Luke speaks of "beagleing a mold" & I`ve beagled a few myself .

The boolits will drop out of round but the sizer will take care of that & the noses while out of round are still balanced & will fly ok.

Hope we`re talkin `bout a 2 holer & not a 6 banger !

After thought , try a completely different batch of alloy????

GP

 

[Jim Puke]

Jim Luke speaks of "beagleing a mold" & I`ve beagled a few myself .

The boolits will drop out of round but the sizer will take care of that & the noses while out of round are still balanced & will fly ok.

Hope we`re talkin `bout a 2 holer & not a 6 banger !

After thought , try a completely different batch of alloy????

GP

And, if you will put tape on both sides of the mold...they ain't out bad, at all...and that is good for about .002...

 

[GP100man]

Here`s 1 I beagled just to help venting , & Jim Luke is correct I got just over a .001" larger.

 

[Slenk]

great info guys
thanx

 

[modrifle3]

I never cared for Lee aluminum molds. I always favored the steel ones, especially Lyman.

 

[Bucks Owin]

I never cared for Lee aluminum molds. I always favored the steel ones, especially Lyman.

Wait until you try the ultimate...brass :wink:

 

[modrifle3]

I never cared for Lee aluminum molds. I always favored the steel ones, especially Lyman.

Wait until you try the ultimate...brass :wink:

I didn't know there was brass!

 

[Bucks Owin]

I never cared for Lee aluminum molds. I always favored the steel ones, especially Lyman.

Wait until you try the ultimate...brass :wink:

I didn't know there was brass!

Once you use an MP mold, you'll wish Miha Previc had built ALL your molds. Truly works of art and a pleasure to cast with... 8)

http://www.mp-molds.com/

 

[GP100man]

Bucks is rite !! I have a Mehi in 45 & it`s a true work of art that casts like a dream!!!

& don`t knock aluminum until ya try a NOE mold.

The Lee molds of late sure are a step up from what they used to be ,speakin of the 2 holers & the 6 cavitys are a very economical way to get a batch of lead flyin.

As I`ve said in the past , If not for Richard Lee`s products they`d be alot less handloaders & casters & shooters !

GP

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I own 45-50 molds made by Lee, many were picked up at gun shows for cheap.
I have always considered them to be an entry level (beginners) mold but I have made many hundreds of pounds of usable bullets with them also.
That said, RCBS , Lyman , and custom molds are the ones that I use the most.
I find steel blocks to work best for me.

 

[Bucks Owin]

I have no particular problems with Lee or LBT aluminum molds. One thing that seems to sometimes help fillout is to keep the alloy HOT. Frosted bullets suit me fine and may even help the lube stick... :wink: