500 gr. 45-70 mould

[35 shooter]

I would think anywhere from 1000 to 1200 fps. with that bullet would handle anything anywhere.

Having said that, I had a friend back in high school whose dad had all kinds of wonderful rifles in big calibers like 416 rigby, 45/70, 458 win. mag.
My friend would hand load them with big, heavy bullets for caliber, to the point that when you shot at the target....whoever got up first(you or the target...won!)

For some reason it was great fun back then, even though neither of us weighed over 150 lbs. soaking wet lol.
I didn't re- load back then and knew nothing about it, so i never questioned his loads...the angels probably watched over us back then!

 

[Ben]

That really sounds like " FUN "............

 

[Ben]

The mould arrived today.

 

[Chris]

Looking forward to your usual good bullet photographs and targets.

Fourteen bullets to the pound... hope you have a large pot!

 

[Rick]

Come on Ben, is that the longest bullet they can get in those blocks?

Gonna de-burr the cavity edges before casting?

 

[Ian]

1000 fps and suppressed would be interesting.

It is. The sensation of being smacked like that with such an anemic muzzle report is disconcerting to say the least. Reminds me of shooting a potato cannon.

 

[Ian]

I inherited a fine Shiloh 1874 with full octagonal barrel in 45/90 WCF. Mostly shot 535-grain Postell bullets under forty-something grains of 3031. Even at 13.5 lbs it is brutal from the bench, and I have a nice scar on my thumb from not knowing at the time how to place it properly along the wrist of a Sharps with a tang sight.

 

[Ben]

Come on Ben, is that the longest bullet they can get in those blocks?

Gonna de-burr the cavity edges before casting?

I was tempted to put it right back in the box and send it back.
Shirley ( quality control girl ) had here usual seal of approval on the mould.

I now think Shirley is blind in one eye and can't see anything out of the other.
Guess I need to call Lee and see what they say.

Ben

 

[Rick]

Send the picture in an email so they can see what your saying.

A close up photo is much like a microscope and amplifies everything. A close up of a bullet shows canyons that can barely be seen with the naked eye. But still, it is a new mold.

 

[Rick]

And for something for the grey matter to chew on, with the bullet that long in those blocks and so very little metal in the blocks at the tip of the bullet will that part of the mold super heat or cool much faster than the rest of the blocks. Interesting thing for the mind to ponder. Will be interesting to see how it casts and if any problems arise from that. It's something I've never seen before.

 

[Brad]

With the blocks closed can you see where the nose ends? Looks like the almost dimpled the bottom with the cavity.

 

[Ben]

I called Karen at Lee Precision this afternoon and described what I was holding, she requested I return the mold for replacement. Of course on my nickel. This has about done me with Lee Moulds ! ! 2nd time in 2 months that I've received a D grade Lee mould and both had Good Ole' Shirley's ( in quality control ) name on them ! ! So much for Shirley...........................

Ben

 

[Chris]

Shirley you could find a better mold manufacturer than Lee, Ben.

Just fooling around, you know that. Me, I have low tolerance for faults so I just pay more to get better mold results.

 

[Rick]

A D grade huh? Wow, your doing better than me to get a D. The ones I've had would need considerable improvement to rise to a D. The reason I quit buying them years ago. I'm with Chris, I'll just save up the pennies until I can buy a quality mold and not go through the grief.

 

[Ben]

I'll admit that I'm 90% of the problem for being fool enough to buy the thing.

 

[Brad]

Your would get fewer burrs from Ian in Alaska in January.

I would call back and tell them they can send postage for a return. I would also ask them to call and let you know if they determined the mould met their quality standards.
I also would not speak to people based on first name but rather expect to speak to someone with a last name like Lee.

 

[Chris]

Shirley going to work:

 

[Ben]

If I can ever get a decent mould ( who knows when ) , I may lick my wounds and treat them like an Elephant with diarrhea .........Just give them plenty of room and stay away from them.

Ben

 

[Ben]

Shirley going to work:

View attachment 2494

Ha ! ! That's the best one I've seen Chris !

Ben

 

[Rally Hess]

At least your mould has vent lines. Mine didn't have any! Didn't see a name on it so it may have been Shirley, pictured above.