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Lee 457 340 grain mold

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07 February 2004, 19:10
JPH45
Lee 457 340 grain mold
have you used this bullet???
08 February 2004, 01:54
aladin
Yes. Shooten's good too. Mine goes 351 grs ww alloy.

I lapped the nose rider out to 452 to match my gun. Our plinker load is 15.7 grs of Blue Dot making 1220's with 2 MOA accuracy.
08 February 2004, 04:46
JPH45
The 2003 Gun Digest has an article wherein a fellow creates his own hollowpoint bullet by modifing a mold to carry a nose punch. I am thinking of doing the same to this mold or another just like it to create an "express bullet" but also want a good plinker. Your load sounds great, I will try it. Thanks, JP
08 February 2004, 07:05
Ricochet
You might just want to hunt up a Lyman #457122HP. They're making the old classic again. A few years ago I looked and looked for one. The only place I could find one was Buffalo Arms then. That "Gould" bullet actually weighs 340 grains in wheelweight metal from my mould and shoots very well.
08 February 2004, 09:24
JPH45
Mostly at the moment it is a question of cash. I can get the Lee mold for $14.00. Being experienced in machine work and tools, and having machine tools available to me at work, it is a simple matter of economics. I like Lyman and RCBS molds, but I don't find that the extra cost translates into a better bullet, or even a better mold. (I know you didn't broach that subject) I have a Lyman 190 grain roundnose mold for a 357/358 that I would gladly sell or trade, i have cast maybe 250 bullets with it. Got it to feed my 357 Maximum, just like my 158 grain bullet better. Anyone interested????
08 February 2004, 09:57
Ricochet
I get it!

Wish I had the machine tools and skills to use them!
09 February 2004, 15:00
TCLouis
aladin
What primer with that load and any kind of fluff to hold the powder in place.
Rifle or pistol?
LouisB
Just full of questions . . . it's answers I lack!
09 February 2004, 16:41
aladin
None. Rem 9 1/2M's. Brass partial sized with the die shank on the Lee set only 1.0" from the end to the ring. Rem brass which is very good. A shooten friend ran maybe 20 so rds thru my Buff and got several cloverleaf groups at 100 with only one grouping making over 2 moa. These bullets NOT wt'd or inspected much... ES was under 25 too... go figure.
10 February 2004, 15:36
JPH45
I ordered the mold, a set of dies and 40 peices of brass Saturday, should be here Wednesday, Thursday at the latest. Your load will be one of the first I try. By the by Aladin, what method did you use to lap out the mold? I think I know how it could be done, 600 grit lapping compound on a bullet cast from the mold. Is there a better way?
11 February 2004, 04:01
aladin
Quote:

I ordered the mold, a set of dies and 40 peices of brass Saturday, should be here Wednesday, Thursday at the latest. Your load will be one of the first I try. By the by Aladin, what method did you use to lap out the mold? I think I know how it could be done, 600 grit lapping compound on a bullet cast from the mold. Is there a better way?




I believe when I lapped out that 340 mold I used car chrome polish. What grit that is I dunno-- 600 something sounds good too. The Lee aluminum molds are soft and lap out much faster than you'd think.

I apply the lap just to the areas that require enlargement. Stay away from the bullet base at block top and check shanks...