Need some advice on a mold.

[Brother_Love]

I just acquired this Saeco mold. I’ve been after one of these for sometime now. As you can see from the pics it cast a little small. It is .300 on the nose which is great and .308 on the bands which is not so good. I’m using Lyman #2 with a fab of extra tin added.

Also, I can find no defect on the mold and it appears to be closing completely but I’m getting a little flash on the nose in one cavity.

I would appreciate your guidance with this mold. I want to make it work. Even at .308 it may shoot well in my ‘06’s.

Thank you, Malcolm

 

[Ian]

The blocks look out of alignment top to bottom, too. A photo of the mould faces would help.

 

[Brother_Love]

More pics to help diagnosis.

 

[Ian]

Yeah, those are beat up pretty bad around the alignment pin holes, probably have raised burrs. Re-surfacing that with a file and putting a fresh chamfer on there with a six-flute countersink would be in order. It also looks like the tops aren't aligning flat, which is why your lube grooves and bands are shifted. Someone marked the tip of one cavity with a file, a practice I despise but some of the match shooters do it to segregate by cavity.

 

[fiver]

the mold needs a tune-up.
the alignment pin holes need a good champhering, and possibly a little bit of tapping in or out to line the halves up better.


Dang it Ian.
I'd also run a blade through those vent lines towards the cavity cleaning them up.

 

[Brother_Love]

I performed the mods to the mold you suggested. Still have a slight bit of flash on nose occasionally but bands line up much better. It still cast at .308-.309 but I will see if will still shoot well.
Thanks

 

[fiver]

all you can do for the diameter is to lap the mold.
it's real common for saeco molds to just barely make the diameter you would expect from them.
my 358 cal molds make 358, a nice round 358.

 

[Brother_Love]

Yes, you are right. Saeco advertises it will cast .309 and it does.

 

[Ben]

Usually SAECO moulds don't produce bullets big enough to suit me.
I have better luck with Tom at Accurate moulds.

Ben

 

[Reloader762]

There appears to be some lead that has hardened on the flat surface of the mold block that would cause a fin to form on the nose area of the bullet. Remove that if you haven't already and the fin most likely will go away.

 

[JSH]

Malcolm, if you have issues that can't be solved let me know and send it back. We can work something out.
The only time I had issues with it was when I beagles it with some aluminum tape.

In that mold I used a fair dose of Lino in the melt.
I used it a lot in my 1903 and it is THE best for the K31 I have ever used. Best groups in both of the above mentioned.

Jeff

 

[JSH]

Lap it? I CRINGE at the thought!!!

It is not of a design intended to be used in sloppy bores, or worn milsurp rifles for sure. My two 1903's are on the smallish side. Not near as small as the K31.

It is an out standing mold. Once again I will take it back in a heart beat.

 

[fiver]

it's definitely a good design, and it would be outstanding in a K-31 or the like.
it would even do well in a tight throated hunting type rifle.

 

[Brother_Love]

Thanks Jeff, nice offer but I’m keeping it. With help I’ve gotten here I’ve about got it like I want it. I have a new Remington 721 30/06 on the way to try it in. The 721/722 are my absolute favorite rifles. This one even has a nice clear Weaver K8 scope. I’m almost as proud of the scope as I am the rifle. I’m still looking for a nice 03 but have come up empty so far.