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Thread: Troubles with Lee improved Minie mold

  1. #1
    melnic is offline
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    Troubles with Lee improved Minie mold

    I have a Chiappa Enfield 1853 replica as well as 2 original Springfield 1863 muskets.
    I also have .580, .578 and .576 sizing dies.
    Chiappa bore sizes to .578 and one of the Springfield sizes to .580, the other is about .581

    Lee bullets drop at about .577-.578 depending on my lead temp.
    I tried sizing to .576 and .578 and both are shooting horrible in my Chiappa as well as Springfield.
    I'm talking 12-18" groups at 50 yards. sometimes they look like perfect holes in the paper, sometimes they look as if they key hole.

    I'm using 2F goex at 60grains.

    Skirts on this mold look rather thick.

    Anyone have tricks for this mold or should I jump ship and go with a different mold that might be more forgiving of the load?

  2. #2
    PoorJack is offline
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    Jump ship. I have yet to get that minie to shoot in any of my guns. Also look at your lube, lead has to be pure, and consider 3f at about 40gr.
    "A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition"
    Rudyard Kipling


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  3. #3
    Lou Lou Lou is offline
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    Order a .580 Hodgdon mould from S&S
    Lou Lou Lou Ruggiero
    Tammany Regt-42nd NYVI

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    2horses is offline
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    Lou Lou Lou
    I have been looking at S&S's website for that .580 mold.
    Dont see it at all.
    Ive been waiting to order a mold, so glad I didnt order a Lee.
    I have an original 63 SA.
    Cant wait to fire off some rounds with it.
    Thanks

    Sent from my SM-J727V using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Lou Lou Lou is offline
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    I saw it in the ship last week. I know it is there. Call them
    Lou Lou Lou Ruggiero
    Tammany Regt-42nd NYVI

  6. #6
    2horses is offline
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lou Lou Lou View Post
    I saw it in the ship last week. I know it is there. Call them
    Thanks will do.

    Sent from my SM-J727V using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    melnic is offline
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    I talked to them this morning They had 2 left.

    I snagged one.

    ssfirearms.com has one more .580 mold left. You will have to call.

  8. #8
    WBR10654 is offline
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    I have never had any luck with any of the four or five Lee molds I have had.

    The last I bought were for the 45-70 and I only bought them to see which bullet I liked (they are inexpensive) knowing I would probably trade them in for a REAL MOLD.

    BUT

    I think your should not be sizing these down for any of the rifles you have.

    I have HEARD that you can be two thousandths smaller than the bore but no one I know recommends it.

    I know people that shoot the Hodgdon like Lou recommends but also the old style Minnie.

    DPB






    Quote Originally Posted by melnic View Post
    I have a Chiappa Enfield 1853 replica as well as 2 original Springfield 1863 muskets.
    I also have .580, .578 and .576 sizing dies.
    Chiappa bore sizes to .578 and one of the Springfield sizes to .580, the other is about .581

    Lee bullets drop at about .577-.578 depending on my lead temp.
    I tried sizing to .576 and .578 and both are shooting horrible in my Chiappa as well as Springfield.
    I'm talking 12-18" groups at 50 yards. sometimes they look like perfect holes in the paper, sometimes they look as if they key hole.

    I'm using 2F goex at 60grains.

    Skirts on this mold look rather thick.

    Anyone have tricks for this mold or should I jump ship and go with a different mold that might be more forgiving of the load?
    David P. Baldwin

  9. #9
    PoorJack is offline
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    The ONLY Lee mold that worked for any of my guns is the Target Minie and it's no longer made. It's a knockoff of the Rapine Trashcan and since I didn't have one for my guns with 575 bore, I decided to take a chance. It worked great so I bought another one New Old Stock off Ebay a while back cause two is one and one is none.

    Since then, I started some work with a Hogdon. Inital results weren't too promising but after tinkering with powder charge and lube, it's now the go to load for my Parker Hale and musketoon. To sorta relate to another thread, the Hogdon mold drops at 579+. I size it down to .575 with no ill effects to the bullet whatsoever. In my guns, it's a sub 2moa load.
    "A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition"
    Rudyard Kipling


    YadkinValleyRangers@gmail.com
    NRA Muzzleloading Instructor

  10. #10
    melnic is offline
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    I have the Hodgdon mold plus ordered the trashcan and old style molds from Moose Molds. It is a few week wait though.
    I have a bedding issue on the Chiappa so I'll switch to use both of my 1863 Springfields.
    By the time the moose molds come in, I'll have a few range sessions with the hodgdon mold.
    I"m only looking for say 2" groups at 50 yards

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