Many moulds throw bullets larger than their stated sizes. Now that powder coating is so popular, that can increase the problem by adding perhaps 2 thou to an oversize bullet. Lee's tolerances call for the bullet to be fron zero to +3 thou over stated diameter. Some of my Lee moulds have been a bit larger yet. Sizing down a hard bullet by 5 thou is a real chore, so I wanted a mould that would throw a bullet the size I wanted.
Accurate Molds to the rescue! I wanted a 115 gr. truncated cone bullet for my 9 mm. I chose a design that had no grease groove and stated I wanted a diameter of .355 inch. I had to let them know my alloy. WW +2% tin was the closest on their drop down menu. I sent off my order by e-mail on a Monday and on Thursday, they e-mailed me the tracking number. It took longer waiting around Customs than it did making the mould. When it arrived, it started throwing bullets of .355 inch. Almost better than you-know-what.
A caution with these Accurate molds. The sprue plate has to be struck sideways, not forward. It took a bit of time for this old dog to learn that new trick. Also, the sprue plate was a real bear to open until the mould got really hot. Even with pre-heating, I would start by filling two cavities for a bit, then three cavities, and then four. With pre-heating at the hottest my hot plate would go, it behaved much better. The bullets just about jumped out of the mould on their own and were very round.
A chum suggested that such a light bullet would be less accurate because it had less bearing surface, but I countered with the fact that no grease groove would give the same bearing surface as a longer bullet. Now these moulds don't come cheap. Customs didn't ding me for taxes and the total came to $204. A short time later, I ordered a .451 mould, but with a groove, so it would be easier plucking them out of the powder after shaking. They came out at .451, just as I wanted. However, this time Customs nailed me for the taxes and I didn't have the nerve to figure out the total.
My 9 mm. bullet can also be used in the .38 Special with just a light crimp, and I'll try some .357 loads in the spring. I've also loaded it deep into the case so I can use it in my Model 52 Smith. It shoots better than I can hold.
Accurate Molds to the rescue! I wanted a 115 gr. truncated cone bullet for my 9 mm. I chose a design that had no grease groove and stated I wanted a diameter of .355 inch. I had to let them know my alloy. WW +2% tin was the closest on their drop down menu. I sent off my order by e-mail on a Monday and on Thursday, they e-mailed me the tracking number. It took longer waiting around Customs than it did making the mould. When it arrived, it started throwing bullets of .355 inch. Almost better than you-know-what.
A caution with these Accurate molds. The sprue plate has to be struck sideways, not forward. It took a bit of time for this old dog to learn that new trick. Also, the sprue plate was a real bear to open until the mould got really hot. Even with pre-heating, I would start by filling two cavities for a bit, then three cavities, and then four. With pre-heating at the hottest my hot plate would go, it behaved much better. The bullets just about jumped out of the mould on their own and were very round.
A chum suggested that such a light bullet would be less accurate because it had less bearing surface, but I countered with the fact that no grease groove would give the same bearing surface as a longer bullet. Now these moulds don't come cheap. Customs didn't ding me for taxes and the total came to $204. A short time later, I ordered a .451 mould, but with a groove, so it would be easier plucking them out of the powder after shaking. They came out at .451, just as I wanted. However, this time Customs nailed me for the taxes and I didn't have the nerve to figure out the total.
My 9 mm. bullet can also be used in the .38 Special with just a light crimp, and I'll try some .357 loads in the spring. I've also loaded it deep into the case so I can use it in my Model 52 Smith. It shoots better than I can hold.
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