Problem with casting .38 SWC

[Mattyb]

I bought a Lee six-cavity 158 grain SWC tumble lube mold, went through the normal preparation ritual (cleaned it, alcohol, candle smoke, etc...) but about 1/3 of my bullets seem to have a "dent" in the middle of them. The tumble lube groove is still molded in, but it looks like it's collapsed on the side. Is this normal? I cast 230gr LRN tumble lube bullets and don't have this problem from them. Any idea what I am doing wrong?

 

[Mike Overlay]

Post a pic of an example?

 

[Inglis]

Is the mold warm when you are casting?

 

[Mattyb]

I cleaned it, smoked it, and started right in on it.
The mold is warm/very warm depending on how long I have been at it before switching back to .45s.
I will try the Bic lighter and see if that does the trick.
I have cast about 250 or so through it.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Ikarus1]

U can always cast good bullets out of whichever cavity is the best, put a screw in the base and lap them with some ajax or baking soda etc. Ive done that with some Lee 2 cavs

 

[John]

It may be some residual oil on the mold. Whatever cutting oil/coolant Lee uses is very persistent. Try hot water and dawn dishwashing liquid, then acetone or brakleen. Smoke it lightly with a lighter, then cast fast enough that you get a light frost on the bullets. That lets you know the mold is good and hot, and hopefully you'll produce good bullets. For reasons I don't understand, some molds have to go thru 2 or 3 heat cycles before they start producing good bullets, so don't give up on it.

 

[Ikarus1]

I clean molds with brake cleaner and it works well. Always have some laying around for cleaning guns anyhow. Advance auto $5 for 2 cans

 

[Combat Diver]

I use mostly Lee molds, I preheat mine on a hot plate next to the pot. I also generally run 2-3 molds at a time. Fill one, set down, open the other. I water drop my boolits into a 5 gal bucket of cold water (towel on bottom). I seperate the boolits after I'm done casting (.357,.41,.44 and .45s)


CD

 

[Mattyb]

So, I re-cleaned the mold with soapy water and brake cleaner, smoked it with just a lighter this time, and went at it again. Everything came out fine after the 3rd or 4th cast.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Ikarus1]

Try using some synthetic 2 cycle oil for lube. It doesnt migrate into cavities when used sparingly