.452 Lee mold casting @ .455+

[Cheesehead]

I am using a Lee 6 hole mold casting the .452 trunicated bullet for my 1911. Most of the bullets are at .455 or more. I do not have a thrermometer and may be casting to hot? I am using 75% WW and 25% pure for this. I am a novice and am confused. These .455 bullets do not do well when I try to size and lube in a .452 sizing die. I am low on bullets for my 1911 and have several hundred pounds of lead I would like to use. Help me, please.
 
Cheese

[Nobade]

I have that same mould, and it throws bullets at .4515 - .452". I wish mine were bigger, I get terrible leading with them that small. Want to trade? That would save me from having to lap out all those cavities. I've only used the mould for one casting session. (This is the 230gr. tumble lube TC design.)

[Lloyd Smale]

welcome to the wonderful world of lee molds. Ive seen .005 differnces in the size two indentical molds were cut that i bought at the same time. that been said it really should be a big deal to size .455 down to 452 especially with that softer alloy your useing. Before the days of all the heavy 45 colt molds out there today i used to size done 461 bullets for a 4570 to 454 to shoot out of a 45 colt.

[stimpylu32]

CH
 
What type of sizer are you using ?
 
If its the Lee push-through one , Lee says to lightly lube the bullets first and then lube again after sizing , the first lubing helps the bullets go in to the sizer much better .
 
stimpy

[Cheesehead]

Yes, Lee molds....
 
Upon closer examination of the bullets, they measure .453 in one area, then rotate a 1/4 turn, .455....
 
Time for a new mold.
 
Thanks for you replies.
 
Cheese

[tomme boy]

Send it back to Lee and tell them it is out of round. They will replace it.

[Missionary5155]

Good morning
Sending it back is an option.  I assume you will be lubing these so a proper size .453 or .452 sizer will eliminate to minor out of round.
Is the mold closing all the way.. hold the mould up to a light bulb and see if there is a light gap between the halves.  Could just be a smudge of lead on a mold face or a glop of something.  Mike in Peru

[Cheesehead]

When I try to size at .452 in my Lyman 4500, it shaves off much of the bullet in one area, and little contact is made in the other area, make the bullet less then concentric. It would be doubtful accuracy, I believe.
 
Cheese

[Nobade]

Don't size bullets with a lubrisizer. That is for lubing them. Size them with a press mounted push through die, like Lee sells for that task. It always works better. I always size them first if needed, then lube with a die .001 or so bigger than the bullet. Much straighter and more accurate!