I am going to order a mold for my 45 acp and 9mm. What type of mold should I order, the conventional type or the lee tl type? I will be using the six cavity lee mold. Molding 30cal and 357 slugs they seem to work just fine. Thanks Kurt

I must assume that "tl" is for total lube? or the bullet type with many lube grooves? I really can't advise you on that point. If you read the advertising descriptions that bullet was designed for Lee's propriortary liquid lubricant.
I purchased the single lube groove type, cause I use traditional sizer/lubricators.
I also believe that the more lines and angles on a bullets surface the more chances you have of difficulties with the bullet dropping free.
One caution I can make is in the technique of using these molds. You'll note how the sprue cutter handle lies close by the mold handles? Well be sure to NOT grip the sprue cutter handle when gripping the mold to pour. You'll end up with all oversize bullets. Been there, done that. What a waste!!!
Pepe Ray

244...

I have just started using a TL452-230-2R and it casts some great bullets for my 45 ACP. It sounds like you have used the Lee molds before and the main thing is simply following their instructions. I have very few rejects, if any with their molds.

I like tumble lubing with the Lee Liquid Alox. Here is a image of some C430-310-RFs I just finished last night for my 444P and Blackhawk.

http://cuero.nodial.net/~lindareamy/images/tublelube.jpg

BTW, those Glad disposable salad bowls are just the ticket for tumbling bullets. They come 5 or 6 to a pack for a little over a dollar and also make great storage containers for the lubed bullets, brass, etcs.

That C430... has a two normal lube grooves and it takes about three cycles of tumbling and drying to fill them. The TL452's lube up in one operation. I haven't been sizing the bullets for the 45.

A few other adventurous individuals and myself are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a custom mold from Lee for our 444 Marlin's. One of the features is that it will use the MicroBands for tumble lubing.

Thanks I think that I will go with the TL molds if one fits the need for that bullet weight. Some of the heavy weights will have to be conventional lube molds. I do intend to get a 44 cal heavy lbt mold and possibly a heavy 41 mold also. Kurt