How do you measure your cast, to ensure it really is the bullet you want, with what and how? Parallel to and perpendicular (90 degrees)to the part line? length, width or both? Calipers or micrometers?

Welcome to the forum. With digital calipers, I measure parallel or length wise to make sure I hit any high spots. With my micrometers, I will measure each driving band from several different angles to get the maximum diameter.

I use a micrometer to measure the diameter of the bullet.
first bullets from a new mold are measured several times.At the nose,at the end of the ogive,at the middle of the shank,and at the base.
If one area is greater in diameter then the others,this is whereI measure any subsequent cast bullets to determine the diameter.
Frank

Thanks you gentlemen for your responses.

The reason I ask: I've got a new 356 TL mold. It's dropping 361.5 x .360. Measured from part line and 90 degrees from part line. No finning, in fact the part line is barely visible with my glasses on. :) Great fill out and consistently weighing in at 128.5 to 129.5g. (87 out of 100) I also noted that the micro bands seem to taper from the base up. It that normal for TL bands to do that?. The mold is being sent back to Lee 361.5 isn't going to work for my 9mm.....357 would have been nice. Sizing removed 99.9% of the bands.

Tumble lubes I have are all about 2.5 thousandths over groove diameter. Its a good number and mine are very accurate. I'm surprised yours were that large. I wonder if they applied the wrong gauge? Did they measure the same all the way around? I'm also wondering if you had something caught in the molds keeping them from closing 100%?

Tumble lubes I have are all about 2.5 thousandths over groove diameter. Its a good number and mine are very accurate. I'm surprised yours were that large. I wonder if they applied the wrong gauge? Did they measure the same all the way around? I'm also wondering if you had something caught in the molds keeping them from closing 100%?

Thanks for your response. I cast with 4 other Lee molds. I visually inspected for anything that might keep them from closing with a magnifying glass, saw nothing but rubbed the surface with rough leather and bronze tooth brush to no avail. I don't have a micrometer yet but will getting one when the SS check comes in. But I am certain I'll be returning this to Lee and let them have a look at it. As you said your TL grooves are all .002.5 and mine clearly tapered as well as base being .004.5 (calipers) over what i 'd like. Anyway Lee has rehabed my old turret and replaced a couple of parts on my LM with no hassles.