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  • popper

    TGT Addict
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    Apr 23, 2013
    3,000
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    XDmikey have to watch the sprue handle on the Lee, make sure you don't open the mould when pouring. Assume it's 9mm 120gr bevel base? You'll have to go to close to hardball alloy (4% Sb) for high end loads. PCing? It works great. Get a cheap (steel topped element) hot plate to heat the mould. New Lee molds have vent lines on the top so use a lead pencil for plate lube. Just 'write' all over the plate. 2 stroke oil works pretty good and a drop on the handle bolt and sprue bolts. If you use it on the pate, aply when the mould is hot and wipe with a paper towel to remove excess - like it looks like it is ALL removed. Run the alloy about 750F and mould 400F. The lee sprue handle is /was cheap metal and can break easily - so make sure you cut the sprue before the alloy is solid! You will see it change from silver to frosted, cut then. You have to pour fast for the 6x mould (start from the sprue pivot bolt) so one end isn't too hard. Wrinkles - cold mould. Watch base fill out - even bevel base needs to be good but check AFTER you finish casting. I run 165gr in 40sw and ~6$/100. Bout the same in 9mm. Get the NOE expander as you will NEED it. 9 cases will squeeze the base small.
     

    rp-

    TGT Addict
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    14   0   0
    Apr 11, 2010
    3,250
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    converse
    I have seen a few loaded rounds go off because of people using shell holders instead of the supplied collets.

    Not recommended.
    Well it looks like I'm buying a new collet for mine then. It broke and I had to use a shell holder last time.

    Out of curiosity, what about the shell holder made it go off anyway?

    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
     

    rp-

    TGT Addict
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    14   0   0
    Apr 11, 2010
    3,250
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    converse
    Parted with an unloader today and also sold 2 presses over on the CB forum. Cleaned some of the bench off in preps to start 40s and more 45s. Gonna need a mold for 40s though.

    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
     

    Dawico

    Uncoiled
    Lifetime Member
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    14   0   0
    Oct 15, 2009
    38,007
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    Lampasas, Texas
    Well it looks like I'm buying a new collet for mine then. It broke and I had to use a shell holder last time.

    Out of curiosity, what about the shell holder made it go off anyway?

    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
    The cartridge is able to slide to the side so it isn't centered in the hammer. This allows the primer to be over the shell holder and not line up with the primer holder in the holder.

    From here I am guessing to be perfectly honest and I think it's a one in a million (seen it twice on different forums actually) deal. I think the primer is backing out a bit then getting driven back in by the edge of the shell holder causing it to go off.

    It could also be something loose inside the hammer (dirt or something) getting between the primer and shell holder too.

    The results were both the same, pieces of brass and hammer embedded in the ceiling and a mess everywhere else. Neither users were seriously injured luckily.
     

    Reinz

    Well-Known
    Rating - 100%
    5   0   0
    Sep 5, 2014
    2,255
    96
    East TX
    The cartridge is able to slide to the side so it isn't centered in the hammer. This allows the primer to be over the shell holder and not line up with the primer holder in the holder.

    From here I am guessing to be perfectly honest and I think it's a one in a million (seen it twice on different forums actually) deal. I think the primer is backing out a bit then getting driven back in by the edge of the shell holder causing it to go off.

    It could also be something loose inside the hammer (dirt or something) getting between the primer and shell holder too.

    The results were both the same, pieces of brass and hammer embedded in the ceiling and a mess everywhere else. Neither users were seriously injured luckily.

    I read that on a few forums as well a few years back. There were some first hand accounts posted as well as second hand posts.

    Though it seem improbable to impossible, when I read how a poster says it happened to him, that gets my attention.
     
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