After my initial acquaintance with the Lee Modern Minie made with the new design mold blocks from Lee, I decided to try the 320 gr R.E.A.L. as I have had such good results with the 250 grain version in my 1:32 or 1:60 barrels for my Lyman Great Plaines Hunter Rifle.
The mold arrived in fine condition from MidwayUSA. I cleaned and lubricated with my usual method using Comet then clear silicone dielectric grease..
My casting metal for this bullet is old commercial plumbers lead and very soft/pure lead.. I set my Lee 4-20 bottom pour at just under 800 degrees F. for the pure lead. I fluxed clean and dip warmed the mold end and sprue plate end for 40 seconds in the melt. This made the mold a great temp and the first cast was well filled out and fine. I just kept going.
The bullet weight was very consistent and 20 bullets weighed averaged 321.6 gr with all of them well within 1% of the average. The 2 cavity mold has both cavities well matched for bullet weight and cut the bottom sprues off bullets very flush and cleanly.
I am anxious to get out and shoot these. I put the 1:32 Barrel back on my rifle and put the 1:60 barrel back in storage. I now have 3 pounds of Alliant BMZ substitute so I am ready!