358 Large

P

pearcetopher

CGN Regular
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Hello all,

Started casting for my 357 by using a 358 lee mold
didn't figure I would need a sizer as I figured revolvers could take quite large bullets and chambering wouldn't me an issue

well whadya know these bullets are dropping out at 364 and will barely fit in a case and most will not go into the revolver cylinder

guess its time for sizer
I considered just using the lee final sizer factory crimp die that I have but I know its not recommended for cast boolits.

Ive shot most calibers as cast without an issue, even some 9mm and 45acp so this was definately a big surprise
 
Gosh Darn it again, huh? :)

Judging by your previous hard luck posts you are quite new to casting and shooting. Are you absolutely sure the mold is closing properly? Is this bullet round or is it a bit oval shaped? Not a tiny piece stuck between the halves? A bit hard to believe that even a Lee mold could be out by that much but anything is possible I guess...

Is it a TL mold or grease groove type? There won't be a lot of grooves left after you size down .006". I'd be calling LEE and getting a new one myself. Although it could be useful for 38 S&W at that diameter.
 
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If you have checked the mold and are convinced it is really throwing .364" bullets, you should call LEE customer service. Being out by .001" is unacceptable - being off by .006" is insane. I'd be interested to see what LEE have to say about that. The hardest part will be getting them to believe you.
 
jethunter said:
If you have checked the mold and are convinced it is really throwing .364" bullets, you should call LEE customer service. Being out by .001" is unacceptable - being off by .006" is insane. I'd be interested to see what LEE have to say about that. The hardest part will be getting them to believe you.
Click to expand...

No kidding. I have yet to see a lee mold that is throwing bullets even 1 thou bigger than stated with lyman #2 lead. Usually Lee stuff is undersized or right on. If your mold is actually throwing .364 sized bullets then put it on the EE for 38 S&W owners and it will be bought up in no time.
 
all my molds tend to throw boolits that are atleast .002" larger than specified. I confirm this because I use a 308 jacketed bullet as a test for my micrometer before measuring every cast boolit

My 429 mold throws 431
356 mold throws 358
358 mold throws 363-364
309 mold throws 309-310
round ball molds are all exactly as specified
I think they have to be larger than the lee part number as its ok to be a bit big but bad to be a bit small

I would think just the plus and minus of temperature would be enough to make these bullets +-.002 alone so it makes sense that they would drop larger boolits right?
 
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