My newest Lee Modern Minie Mold
The package came today and I have inspected the mold for quality. This is mold 500-354-M, those numbers mean a specified diameter of .500” a cast weight with the recommended alloy at 354 grains and it is a Modern Minie design with micro lube grooves similar to tumble lube groove designs. The nose is a semi- wad-cutter design, SWC, and this bullet is designed for target shooting. I will use it for hunting if it shoots well, as I have wanted a 50 cal bullet with some weight that shoots with accuracy approaching my patched round ball accuracy in my Lyman Great Plains Muzzle Loader. So, I have a lot of hopes for this bullet. It will also fit my center-fire .500 S&W and I will try it there too.
Upon opening I immediately noticed the new design mold blocks with round cone alignment pins and cups, all steel, press fit into the blocks for alignment. The sprue plate was spotted in well at the factory and no light line is visible at all between the mold tops and the cutter plate and no light line is visible between the mold halves either”€a well done fit. Eyeball inspection shows no burrs anywhere and the auto aligning hollow base pin fits and aligns automatically and nicely. The mold opens and closes smoothly and appears to just need a wash and lube to be ready for use. I will further examine under magnification also.
Lee recommends using any solvent for cleaning manufacturing cutting oil off all the parts, they even mention gasoline or lighter fluid be used. Well, I will use some Zippo fluid and Q-Tips to dissolve the oil but follow with my usual and habitual Comet cleanser/hot water brushing and rinse that works so well for me to eliminate any petroleum that causes casting crater and wrinkle flaws. I disassemble for cleaning and then lube pivot parts, mold tops and cutter plate bottom with a high temp. clear Silicone Dielectric Grease from GE that has worked well for me in the past and doesn't migrate to the wrong areas of the mold.. I only use the tiniest amounts buffed to a shine with a Q-tip, so I get no excessive lube that causes casting flaws.
The self centering base pin does get more lube than a light shine. It fits into a race milled into the mold blocks for self centering when closing the mold. The race needs lube or it will bind /gaul quickly if you ignore that. This arrangement is similar to Lee self centering base pins for HB bullets, shotgun slugs and the traditional old design Minie from Lee. You will definitely battle with these base pins and ruin them and their fit permanently if you ignore lube.
I am pleased and satisfied with the Modern Minie 50 Cal. Mold. I will clean/ lube and cast with .999 pure lead for my first try with this mold and report back.
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