Lee mold causing the probably or is it me

Mustang Jon

Mustang Jon

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My Lee 401-175 mold has started casting some funky bullets lately and I've tried cleaning, lubing and smoking it again and it still won't cast right. I don't know if it's me or the mold, so I don't know if I should get in touch with Lee or not. My other molds don't have this problem. Should I see if Lee will help me rectify this problem or do I need to try something else? Screenshot_20191122-173927.png Screenshot_20191122-173955.png
 
The sprue plate screw is tight and looks straight as best I can eyeball it. If I let the lead run out of the dipper and don't let it contact the sprue at all then it doesn't have all the flash. I can't figure out if it's something wrong with the mold and I need to get Lee involved or if I'm not holding my mouth right when using this mold. M(other three Lee molds don't have this problem.) The bullets are useable as long as I sit there and trim the flashing off with a knife.
 
Sprew plate is not tight ... either led wash or grit or warped. Other possibility is too much tin. But most likely there are lead smears holding the plate off the mold.

Disassemble and clean. Wait longer to cut sprue
 
Sprue plate is hosed or the contact area isn't flush. I've said it before and I'll say it again- There is a reason Lee molds cost what they do. Once you cast with a quality mold, you'll never look back. I cast a bunch for black powder Civil War guns and of all the molds I use, only ONE is a Lee. That mold is a target minie for my Parker Hale rifles and that bullet shoots very well in my guns. However, Lee has discontinued this mold in 58cal so I've bought a couple more off Fleebay as backups. That bullet is for 50yd competition and the one I use for longer distances is RCBS Hogdon with a modified base plug.
 
All my molds have been Lee. I'm all for better molds but haven't had the need. If you take care of them they work just fine and make really nice boolits...
 
Spend some time casting with a Lyman, RCBS, NOE, Accurate etc and you'll see why I'm not a Lee fan. Lee is fine for figuring out what will work. Once you know that, get a good mold.
 
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