Lee 6 Cavity Mould

PJ Hardtack · August 18, 2020, 11:45:40 AM

I cast up a batch of 200 gr RNFPs from a new Lee 6 cavity mould.

Powder coated them and ran them thru' a Lee .452 sizer. They miked .452. Taper crimped in the crimp groove. Loaded them in .45 brass.

They mike .470 at the case mouth after crimping, as they should.

They would not chamber in any of five 1911s in this household, the slide not going into battery.

I think the design produces a bullet with the wrong ogive for reliable feeding in the 1911.

Anyone having a similar problem?

DeaconKC · August 18, 2020, 01:38:43 PM

I haven't used that mould, I use the 230 Grain RN TL, it feeds nicely in my 1911s and Tommygun. I think the flat point may be hanging up on the ramp.

Dakota Ike · August 18, 2020, 01:40:12 PM

Hi PJ

Powder coating can add .002 to the bullet. A possible problem may be the powder coating build up on the bullet ogive. Try sizing a non powder coated bullet, loading it and see if then chambers.

Abilene · August 18, 2020, 03:09:09 PM

I take it that dropping a bullet into just the barrel will also not fully chamber? Or do they just not want to chamber from the magazine?

PJ Hardtack · August 18, 2020, 03:47:25 PM

Quote from: Dakota Ike on August 18, 2020, 01:40:12 PM
Hi PJ

Powder coating can add .002 to the bullet. A possible problem may be the powder coating build up on the bullet ogive. Try sizing a non powder coated bullet, loading it and see if then chambers.

I think you nailed it!

I did the 'plunk' test with a Bar Sto 'Gold Cup' barrel and the barrel from a Remington 'Commander', both with tight chambers. Many did not seat fully.

I now believe that the PC coating on the bullet ogive is the problem.

Next batch go thru' my Lyman sizer/luber.

I hope that works as I really like the bullet design.

Dirty Dick · August 19, 2020, 01:04:33 PM

I bought a Lee six cavity 200gr .44-40 mould, how bad can they be? Has an ALUMINUM sprue plate! Really! Very shallow lube grooves, my guns don't like it.

Free to anyone who'll pay postage from Ontario Canada. Piece of junk, IMHO.

DD

wildman1 · August 19, 2020, 01:30:34 PM

I would like to have it.
How much would postage be to zip 85123 in AZ.
wM1

Dirty Dick · August 19, 2020, 01:33:54 PM

I'll find out Thursday.

wildman1 · August 19, 2020, 01:35:30 PM

Thank you.
wM1

Dirty Dick · August 20, 2020, 03:58:16 PM

Quote from: wildman1 on August 19, 2020, 01:30:34 PM
I would like to have it.
How much would postage be to zip 85123 in AZ.
wM1

PM sent.

Dirty Dick · August 22, 2020, 02:51:57 PM

Quote from: Dirty Dick on August 19, 2020, 01:04:33 PM
I bought a Lee six cavity 200gr .44-40 mould, how bad can they be? Has an ALUMINUM sprue plate! Really! Very shallow lube grooves, my guns don't like it.

Free to anyone who'll pay postage from Ontario Canada. Piece of junk, IMHO.

DD

No takers? Cannot even give cheap Lee stuff away! I'll sweeten the deal and include a factory crimp die, .44-40. Damages my brass. You pay postage.

DD

Lucky R. K. · August 22, 2020, 03:45:55 PM

I own about half a dozen of these moulds and have never had a problem with them. If you are trying to make consistent quality precision bullets they don't do that. If you want to make a large volume of bullets in a short period of time for CASS shooting or the likes, they can't be beat. I would love to have the mould if it is still available. I will try to send you a PM.
Lucky

Dirty Dick · August 23, 2020, 07:20:18 AM

Quote from: Lucky R. K. on August 22, 2020, 03:45:55 PM
I own about half a dozen of these moulds and have never had a problem with them. If you are trying to make consistent quality precision bullets they don't do that. If you want to make a large volume of bullets in a short period of time for CASS shooting or the likes, they can't be beat. I would love to have the mould if it is still available. I will try to send you a PM.
Lucky

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PM sent. Postage from Canada is probably twice as expensive as it is in the US, sorry, nothing I can do about that. The wooden sprue handle split trying to cut the sprue with the aluminum sprue cutter that got dull within an hour of use. It made cute little 200gr flat point bullets which none of my guns liked. Perhaps I am too fussy? If it works for you the more power to you.

DD

PJ Hardtack · September 01, 2020, 02:02:49 PM

Hey - my original post was regarding the effect of powder coating on the Lee bullets I cast. I have no issues with the Lee 6 cavity moulds at all, quality wise.

Both the Lee .452 200 RNFP and the .429 RNFP I bought for CAS produced bullets that prevented the slide going into battery in my 1911s and many 44-40s would not chamber in my Piettea 44-40s.
This after sizing in Lee sizing dies for the appropriate bullet.

To be honest, I haven't yet tried 'greasers' from either design, but I will in future.

The problem would appear to be that powder coating adds a couple of thou on the bullet ogives. So far I'm not impressed with the PC fad. I think it's an ingenious solution to a non-existent problem.
I find it a PITA to keep the bullets separated and I refuse to take the time to stand them all up with tweezers.