Lee 45 Cal Rifle Molds

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  • Last Post 03 February 2014
GBertolet posted this 05 August 2013

How close do 45 cal. Lee molds run to the diameter listed? I am interested in purchasing two Lee molds for use in a .458 Win. I like the C457-500-F design for the business load, as it is a 500 gr RNFP GC bullet. For an intended less punishing, and most frequent use, I sort of like the 457-340-F, a flat base 340 RNFP, and would like to load around the 1500fps range.

These molds are listed at .457 nominal diameter, and I am going to need at least a .458, or preferably a .459 diameter bullet for the .458 Win. Lee does make 2 molds that are listed at .459, but they are not the profiles that I want. I tried calling Lee for info, but their lines are always busy.

Lee molds are inexpensive, and  I don't expect to do a whole lot of casting with them, as I don't expect to fire this rifle a whole lot, it's the reason I am considering these molds.

In case anyone was wondering, why a .458 Win, I was made an offer I could not refuse, on purchasing this particular rifle.

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delmarskid1 posted this 06 August 2013

I have the 340-F and it runs right at .457". If you cast it soft enough you will probably get away with it. Mine leads at much over 1200fps.

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onondaga posted this 06 August 2013

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=1738>GBertolet:

I have excellent results with the Lee 457-340-F in my Colt Sauer Grand African .458 Win Mag since I honed the mold out to drop .461” and size to .460".  The mold, as purchased dropped #2 alloy at .458", my chamber throat likes .460"cast bullets.

I have posted a simple method on honing Lee aluminum  molds . See my reply, #6, in this post  that describes my aluminum Lee mold honing method, Link: http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_topic.php?id=7556&forum_id=10>http://www.castbulletassoc.org/viewtopic.php?id=7556&forumid=10

My worked-up best load for the Lee .457-340-F in .458 Win Mag:

Winchester Brass trimmed 2.495" CCI 200 primer Bullet cast in Lyman #2 alloy actual weight 329 gr. Bullets are tumble lubed 45:45:10 once before sizing and once after. Charge: 53.3 gr H4895

Filler: 2.5cc/25.2 gr. PRPSB,   or   fill to case mouth rim with BPI Original Filler before seating bullet.

Crimp: Lee Factory Crimp .004" LOA: 3.125 Velocity: 1610 fps verified with PRPSB filler, very slightly faster with BPI filler.

This load groups 1 inch or less at 50 yards consistently  for my grandson or myself and recoil is less than a 30-30 lever rifle with factory 170 gr bullet loads. Without the fillers compressing the charge as specified, the group size doubles or worse.

2 Lee 405s left and 2 Lee 340s on right. one of each has an aluminum PlainBase gas check from Sagesoutdoors.com  He is a member here.

http://s30.photobucket.com/user/rhymeswithwhat/media/Lee457.jpg.html>

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onondaga posted this 06 August 2013

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=1738>GBertolet:

I realized you might need a picture of the mold honing tool I mentioned to give honing a try.

These were saved to photograph after honing out a Lee .30 caliber mold to .313” from .309". You can see the Hex Nuts cast into place and the cast lead tool does take some wear during the honing . A fresh tool is needed for each cavity. These were for a 2 cavity Lee mold.

The powdered pumice I mention can be obtained at pharmacies or from your dentist, it is called Flours of Pumice but even fine creek or river silt would work.

http://s30.photobucket.com/user/rhymeswithwhat/media/SlugNuts.jpg.html>

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GBertolet posted this 06 August 2013

onondaga, that's a great idea. I will look into that.

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onondaga posted this 06 August 2013

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=1738>GBertolet:

Consider ending your speculation and frustration about what bullet diameter you need and do a chamber casting with this special purpose alloy to determine your exact chamber throat dimension, then match your bullet size to that.

http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/chamber_casting_alloy.htm>http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/chambercastingalloy.htm

This alloy is inexpensive and reusable.

If you are unfamiliar with “Chamber Casting” , search Google Videos and YouTube videos, there is a bunch of them.

Gary

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R. Dupraz posted this 06 August 2013

A better solution when lapping out bullet molds is to use brass cone nuts instead of a flat steel hex nuts.

Reasons are:

  1. They are brass instead of hard steel less chance of damage to top of mold blocks.

  2. The appropriate size can be found so that there is very minimal contact between the bottom of the cone and the top of the mold.

  3. The hex nut part is above the cone. Eliminates any possibility of a wrench coming in contact with the mold blocks when lapping.

  4. Heats and cools quickly.

  5. Easily found at any good hdwr store in all standard sizes.

  6. Can be used repeatedly

I have used these cone nuts several times to lap the driving bands out with success. Some as much as .0025”

What I have found works best to turn the finished lap in the mold is the appropriate sized box-end wrench. This allows the lap to be easily rotated a full 360 in either direction.

RD

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onondaga posted this 06 August 2013

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=82>R. Dupraz:

Those cone nuts are nice, thanks for the PIC. I have heard of them but didn't know what they looked like. They would be a lot nicer and safer than my hex nuts for the cast honing tools. I will get some for me!!!

Gary

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kevo posted this 07 August 2013

Gary and RD-- What an excellent idea/concept!! I definitely think that I can use this method of very slightly expanding moulds. So simple. Your ideas on many issues of bullet casting and loads are much appreciated. Thanks for sharing your vast knowledge. Kevo.

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Dirtybore posted this 24 January 2014

wow! I just read these posts and could't help but think, “why didn't I think of that"???

I have a 130 gr 7mm Lee mould to lap out but left the project for later due to wondering what the best way to do would be. Thanks guys, you've just brought one of my future projects closer to the front burner. those pictures are great and show the whole story.

Why don't you two get together and write that up and send it to Greg Latham for TFS? JR

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mike morrison posted this 25 January 2014

Brass Cone Nuts. I would like to see a picture. never heard of them. interesting and a great information. thanks m

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 25 January 2014

Dirtybore ... heh, the lee 7mm 130 gr. i learned a lot from that mold ..i was missing bean cans at 50 yards with my 280 varmint rifle ... i learned so much i bot a rcbs silhouette mold that has a wider nose. smart pills, as it were ..

i think i still have it; 1 cavity, 1981 vintage .. 5$ shipped ( g ) .

ken

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Pigslayer posted this 26 January 2014

I have a number of LEE molds & most of them drop bullets on the “fat” side, which I like due that it gives me room to size. My older Lyman single cavity molds do the same . . . which I like for the same reason. I mean, why would I want a mold that drops to factory groove diameter i.e. .357, .451, .277, .308 & the like? I have yet to size a bullet smaller than .002 over my groove diameter. I'm keeping this “first person” mind you. Lyman, as of late seems to be the worst. I have a Lyman 255 gr., SWC, GC mold that drops Lyman number #2 at .452 exactly. The throats in my Ruger .45 Colt Blackhawk are .454. Lyman has been in the mold business for a long time & well versed in knowing that most casters size a couple of thousandths over . . . if not more. Now I have an older Lyman 358156 single cavity mold that drops bullets (Lyman #2) @ .361. Perfect! As my throats are .3595” & I size to .360". I absolutely won't buy the newer Lyman molds.      LEE molds can vary (depending on what the cherry size is that they are using) but I have found that they generally run .0015” to .002” over when the alloy is Lyman #2. After talking with LEE I was told that Lyman #2 alloy is used as the criteria for cutting their molds.      I have no experience with RCBS molds but wouldn't mind trying one. When in doubt about diameter of the mold & can't find profile I want, I save my pennies & get one custom made. Works every time.   Pat              

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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R. Dupraz posted this 28 January 2014

cone nuts

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Dirtybore posted this 03 February 2014

Ken; I have one of the RCBS 167 gr bukket noulds and will agree with you, it makes a very good bullet.

I'm using that bullet in a rebarreled Mauser that has a scope. That 130 gr bullet and many other bullets, I was trying in a couple of old Spanish Mausers that have over size bores, poor sights, and terrible trigger pulls. John R

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