This morning I unpacked the new mold, hosed it down with solvent & wiped off the manufacturing oil and residue. I lubed the sprue with beeswax, and smoked the mold block cavities. I preheated the mold on an electric burner while my lead pot was heating to casting temperature. Preheating the aluminum blocks is the secret to casting good bullets the first time. Some folks regard Lee aluminum blocks as cheap and lacking durability. I'll wager these are the people walking around in scuffed shoes with laces untied, driving a dirty and beat up 3 year old car and wearing a new shirt that already has stains and tears in it. These are the people who won't be able to properly take care of anything to make it last. I bought my first Lee mold in 1977. It is the .54 cal hollow-base improved minie. I still use it today. It takes minimal care to maintain in s-new condition, and casts as well today as it did 40 years ago. It has cast thousands of accurate bullets used in several muzzleloading rifles. Once I'm done with my new mold, and it has cooled, I'll put it back into the box, and place it in the carton containing several other Lee molds of various vintage, for various rifles and pistols, as well as roundball molds in 6 sizes. I also have iron-block molds made by other companies that also work to my expectations, however they required separate purchase of handles. They were purchased decades ago when prices were much lower. Today, I don't need to spend over $100 for mold blocks and handles, when I can buy excellent quality Lee molds, complete with handles, at a fraction of the price.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I have bueen casting and reloading for sixty years, and have a lot of reloading equipment. I mostly prefer Lyman and RCBS. The Lee dies are acceptable, but "good" is the best description. The molds are cheeper than Lyman, but aluminum not steel. Steel blocks will allow you to make more bulletts per session, if you manage the heat well. The Lee aluminum blocks are not as well finished. This one had flashing around the edges of both the baseplug and sprew holes. I do have to give credit to Lee for a great design, just wish it was steel. A good and acceptable low price option, but not the best for long term use.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Great economy mold. Make sure its good and warm. After about 15 bullets it cast nice crisp bullets. Using WW lead i was dropping 392g avg bullets. No cast lines at all. I am sure there are better molds out there but not at this price. Mine was casting .458" dia. Very happy with it overall
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Makes excellent bullets. Made 200 bullets, very uniform in weight and size ( went through my bullet sizer with no problems)
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Lee makes good bullet molds. Follow the directions and take the same care you do of your steel molds. In this case cheaper does not mean cheaply built.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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