Ammunition & Hand Loading > Cartridge and Shotshell reloading
Lee Precision sizing die set
SS_N_NE:
It is a tapered bore. Calipers don't do well in bores, especially tapered and only read to .0005" (kinda sorta). The .0005" is not an exact reading, just a rounded reading. Lee offered to replace the die if I sent a picture of the die "rendered useless" so I hammered the threads and sent a picture. Could go the send die and bullet route if that doesn't work out.
Dug through my machinist toolbox and found a bore gage set that will measure the .452" to .0001" but had already smashed the die.
Doubt the rough surface has anything to do with anything except a hastily bored hole. The balance of the die is a drill which is no big deal. I would have expected a honed bore...but guess the taper would be an issue...and explains the potential for defective dies.
Anyway...try it again when the new die shows up.
noylj:
1) Did you slug your barrel and verify that your bullets are AT LEAST 0.001" larger than groove diameter?
2) I found in the '70s that shooting as-cast bullets was more accurate than sizing bullets. For me, you are sweating a non-issue and should be trying some as-cast and lightly tumble lubed bullets.
3) They will send you new sizing die, I am sure.
shooter:
I have seen more out of round lee products than all of the others combined, there mold are well known for being out of round, I tried a lee mold, I sent it back 3 times before I got my money back,, but no matter what the bullet shape, after it is pushed thru a die, it should be close to round,
I will not use anything lee, there quality control is the worst of any business I have ever seen, and I have over 40 bullet molds
SS_N_NE:
Guess I failed to follow up on this. Lee replaced the die after I sent a picture of the die destroyed (I hammered the threads flat). The new die makes .452" diameter lead bullets within a couple .0001". Pretty happy the sizing is that close...just cause it works. After seeing the new sizing die, it was obvious they cut the taper too deep and lost the sizing part of the die. The new die has a small straight bore that does the final size.
I have a six cavity mold for .452 and got some wild bullet sizes...close inspection shows small specs of lead that got between the halves and cause oversize issues. Overall, the mold makes decent bullets.
1)Yes, slugged the barrel.
2)As cast bullets are not within .001"...hence the sizing.
3)They did send a new die without too much of a fight.
I am a machinist, and in all honesty, Lee has exceptional die finish most of the time. The cost is also about the most reasonable you might expect. For the most part function of all Lee tools have been good. I did get a 20# lead pot with a broken lift knob (spot weld stud broken)...just stuck in a screw and a homemade handle...better than Lee and less trouble than installing a replacement part.
unfy:
Lee products are on the cheaper build side, yes - but from those that I've talked to that have dealt with the company - they say the customer service is top notch.
I've got some Lee dies and really don't have any complaints. Also have a hand me down little $30 press from them that I like. The perfect powder measure is a bit disconcerting (all plastic) but seems to work as advertised. The hand primer is okay... but has a design flaw in how the cover tray attaches (as well as the fact that it takes different shell holders than the presses).
Glad to see that ya got a fixed sizing die that's cooperating. And the majority of casting failures for me is indeed not getting the mold closed correctly due to my own fault or not noticing some cold lead between the mold meeting faces. The modified lee mold turned into hollow point addresses some of these issues concerning positive engagement of the two halves.
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