The next question. What is the nose like on the Lee mold? Is it a SWC or WLN design? Thanks Rusty Z
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
I don't think it precisely fits either of your categories, but it is close to the WLN.
It has a very large meplat, so imagine a round nose bullet cut off before it got very round and you'd be close.
I'd post a picture, but I don't have a digital camera. I do, however, have a drawing of the design made the maker (Bator) which I could send you -- send me an email and I'll email it to you.
I can also add that this 6 cavity mold is VERY well made, and bullets just dropped right out of it (no hand finishing needed, unlike some Lee stuff).
Oh, and one more thing, you can go through a LOT of lead casting 6 260gr slugs at a time! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I have not had a chance to shoot the bullets I made yet. Too much work (and moose hunting!).
I missed out on the Midway deal on those molds. Also didn't know they had six cavities. Lots of lead in a short time. A large meplat is good. Thanks jpb. Anyone with 2 cents to add? Anyone been shooting their 260 grainers? Thanks Rusty Z.
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
There are a few other drawings -- look for 260-358 and you will find one showing the bullet, and another drawing called "seating" or something showing it seated in cases. These cases include the 35 Rem, 358 Winchester, the versatile 35 Whelen and the mighty, awe-inspiring, ground shaking, 358 Norma Mag (OK, my bias is showing a bit here! :-) I will admit the .358 Win is the best one for JUST cast boolitts.
Let me know if you have trouble with the links and I'll try again.
Thanks for the info. I haev decided to purchase most of my cast bullets and avoid the heat of casting these days. Have spent hours over a gas camp stove and a Lee bottom pour pot. I will spend money on a set of dies for my Corbin press. I do plan on learning how to bond cores with a torch and the bonding fluid from Corbin. Good luck to JPB and all the rest of you folks. Thanks for your knowledge. Rusty Z <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
Well, I understand about the heat of casting. However, I'm in northern Sweden and it is nice to warm up at times! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I'm off to hunt moose for a couple of days (just a few minutes from where I live) but I'll be using bonded jacketed bullets (which I purchased -- don't have the capability to make these -- yet! :-) I'd like to learn that next!
WLN= Wide Long Nose. From the nomenclature used by Veral Smith of Lead Bullet Technology fame. He is back in business after some time off. I'm now seriously thinking about dropping the cast bullets and going back to Corbin dies. I can get flat nose punches for a FN jacketed bullet. No heat involved unless you bond the cores to the jacket. No fumes to be wary of. Thanks for all the info. You guys have lots of knowledge. Rusty Z
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill.
jpb, Folks, forgive my intrusion on this thread, but am I understanding correctly that Lee has a .358 / 260gr. mould available? I have a .35 Whelen and it seems to show a preference for weights heavier than the 247gr SAECO I'm currently casting. I remember on "shooters" a while back a few of the fellers were getting together to have a similar mould made up...perhaps it's the same ones being mentioned here? Anyway, Is this mould available to anyone now, and if so, from where? Thanks, Russ
I had to make a second post to post this picture of a CAD drawing of this bullet.
Click on "Attachments" above to see it.
As far as I know, the bullet mold is sold out, but I'm sure another run could be arranged if there was sufficient interest, or perhaps Lee can simply make you a single one at a higher price if they kept the computer set up file to cut the mold (but perhaps they don't have the rights to do this?)
jpb, Thanks for taking time to answer. I am truly interested in acquiring one of these moulds. Unlike many others, I do not consider Lee Moulds as a mere piece of crap. Some of my best bullets have come from a Lee, and I own probably 16 or 18 of them. I have owned most brands, including some pretty high dollar moulds, that I never learned to use properly, and was very unhappy with the finished product. It seems the Lee is pretty much idiot proof and a possible requirement for me. Anyway, I have owned only one Lee mould that I ended up trashing because I tried enlarging it a few thousandths...It was so "out-of-round" it resembled an egg. Thanks again for sending the "attachment". From the drawing I guess the bullet would be a WFN, with emphasis on the wide. I will be contacting Midway today. (if they are open) Respectfully, Russ
I just realized I could post 4 things that will make you want one of these molds even more! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
1. It casts bullets weighing 281gr from wheelweights (not gaschecked or lubed). If you want a heavy 35 cal bullet, this is it!
2. The bullet has only a hint of rounding with a huge meplat, so it is surprisingly close to a long wadcutter with a full bearing surface to grip the rifling. This means that it will work well with a long throat too of course.
3. The quality of Lee's 6 cavity molds is much better than their one-holers I've used (and they were quite OK really, just needing a bit of polishing and de-burring by hand -- an Exacto knife and a magnifying glass is all I needed).
4. The quality of THIS mold (presumably because it was a special run and not a high production item) is even better than the other Lee 6-cavity molds I've had experience with.
I'm sorry to say that I have not yet had time to try any of my loads with this bullet (too much moose hunting to do right now).
jpb, I have sent "ben" a eMail already. I have been a "lurker" on accurate for some time now. I did call Midway on the moulds mentioned yesterday. The lady I talked to had no idea about what I was trying to ask her since it was not a catalog item. She was very nice, asked that I call back Tues. and speak with "Steve". So...that's where I stand at this time. Thanks again for being helpful. Respectfully, Russ
The problem with this mold, and the reason I traded mine for a lyman 358009 two cavity is, the Lee is full dia for almost the full length of the bullet. Unless you have a really long throat, you'll either have to seat the bullet deeply in the case, or you'll have massive bullet engraving and difficulty chambering.
I tried seating the bullet deeply, and accuracy was terrible. I tried seating it so that it engraved, and accuracy was decent, but it required alot of force to chamber a round, too much to make it anything other then a bench round.
If the Lee cavity had been a copy of the 358009 w/ a bore riding ie .350" dia nose, same lube groove base design, and a meplat, then it would be a great bullet. Unfortunately it falls far short of what it could have been. I don't know any of the purchasers of the mold that have been happy with the bullet.
The best route would be to have Mountain Molds make a custom bullet using his XL blocks. His prices are reasonable, and you'll end up with the right design.
