Wrong mold?

[Obturation]

Hey all,
Hope everybody's feeling good.

So, I've been accumulating casting equipment for the past couple years but have yet to drop a single bullet. I'm close, I bought some molds a couple years ago (thankfully) for my most fired cartridges. Well , I pulled out one that I expect to see a lot of use only to realise it's not what I thought it was.


...didn't notice the "HB" in the part number. It's a hollow base mold for a 405 grain .45 caliber rifle bullet. Also didn't notice the nose profile was so rounded (not terribly concerned about that). I'm no expert, not even close but if I understand correctly , the hollow base is intended for black powder use. Is that accurate?

My intention is to coat with hi-tek and size to .459" to be fired from a lever action Henry.

If a flat based 405 grain mold were available , I'd buy it but I won't pay what the world wants for them right now.**please direct me if I'm wrong**

I guess my real questions are:

1. Is this mold suitable for bullets used in smokeless loads ?
2. Should I attempt to modify this mold - I'm pretty handy
3. Is this a desirable mold to someone who may want to trade/should I bother trying?

As I mentioned , I can't even say that I'm new to casting, I haven't started yet. Seeking a little direction with what to do with an unexpected hollow base mold.

 

[MEHavey]

Don't mess with the mold.
It's designed to get the best out of lower BP-pressure (under 12-18,000psi) loadings and soft (even pure lead) bullets.
It will also work fine with harder alloys (e.g., Lyman#2) and high pressures as well.

 

[troy fairweather]

Little to pointy for my liking in your gun, the hollow base will be fine with lower psi smokeless loads. Could just file the plug to were it's flat, this will make it a flat base and probably 450 grain.

But see if someone will trade you.

 

[Swampman]

Is your Henry a 45-70?

If so, you're fine.

 

[Obturation]

Is your Henry a 45-70?

If so, you're fine.

Yes.





It sounds like I should make some up and see what they do. I have 1,200 commercial cast 405 grain bullets (mbc & Brazos ) that i'm working through so I'm not in immediate need but that gives me time to tinker with the load to see what works best.

Is there a reason (or advantage ) that all or most modern cast bullets have a solid base if the hollow base is suitable for pressures low to moderate/high? Maybe simplicity?

 

[.38 Special]

Hollow bases work fine if you keep the pressure down. Hit em too hard and the skirts flare out like they're at a square dance. This doesn't always affect accuracy too badly, at least in my experience, but does make them about as aerodynamic as a parachute.

I have heard stories of skirts getting stuck in the bore, with the following round ending civilization as we know it, but haven't ever seen it myself.

The main issue is simply that they're a royal pain in the you-know to cast. If you have a real need for them then you put up with it but otherwise you soon start to wonder why the hell you're bothering.

If you keep the mold my advice is to run it way hotter than you think you should, and then to load them with something like Trail Boss. If either or both of those things rub you the wrong way, you're probably better off trading it for something else.

 

[ms6852]

It is like @Swampman stated, it will be fine, it is designed to get better grip of the rifling. Just don't load them hot.

 

[edwardware]

2. Should I attempt to modify this mold - I'm pretty handy.

I like the way you think, but I'd advise against it unless you have a lathe. I've ruined a couple Lee molds attempting to do simple mods like HP pins, remove GC bases, etc. The aluminum is very soft, and galls/smears nearly at the first touch.

Keep it. You'll find a use, and a GC or PB mold for full-power loads.

 

[johnjohn]

Works fine in my single shot 45-70.

 

[FROGO207]

Use a harder lead alloy and it'll work fine. You should have no problems shooting it in a 45-70.

 

[edwardware]

2. Should I attempt to modify this mold - I'm pretty handy?

Let me edit my previous. . . you could cut and dress the base pin off flat, and have a FB mold. I would not attempt to touch the major diameter sealing interface between the pin and blocks, but the pin interior to the mold should be easy.

And bonus points if you can source a spare base pin from Lee.

 

[jmorris]

If a flat based 405 grain mold were available , I'd buy it but I won't pay what the world wants for them right now.**please direct me if I'm wrong**

No idea what shipping would run but they are out there.

https://www.cdsgltd.co.uk/lee-bulletmould-dc-457-405-f.html

Before you jump on it, you should understand that Lee makes those .457.

 

[mdi]

If that mold were mine, I'd cast up some and use starting loads right from my manual(s), as with any new component. If the hollow base was of concern to me, first I'd see how the stem was attached and fabricate a flat base stem, keeping the original stem to replace if necessary. Another option is to sell/trade it and find the mold you want. The Lee mold is a common, modern mold. No value other than purchased cost and it's yours. If you want to "customize" it go ahead.....