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+--- Thread: Time to cast, (/thread-3197.html)
RE: Time to cast, - Distant Thunder - 03-14-2022
Back to casting talk!
Today my .45-70 PP mold and I came to an understanding of sorts and I got 125 bullets cast this afternoon. It is very fussy about just how I pour the lead into it and apparently cussing at it wasn't helping.
I also cast up a plie of HP bullets for my .45 ACP. That mold cast very nice.
Lastly, I cast a few for my .44-77 from a little different alloy I want to try. These are from my new Brooks adjustable and should weigh about 485 grains at 1.350" long. They are flat base. I think I'm done with the cupped base version.
It could be a few weeks before I can get any shooting done, the snow is still knee deep on my range. Mud will be a welcome change.
RE: Time to cast, - Don McDowell - 03-14-2022
I have a couple of moulds that can really deal me fits unless I use the RK locking handles.
A couple of them are really touchy about keeping the sprue plate loosiegoosie.
RE: Time to cast, - J.B. - 03-14-2022
Smile on my face reading about moulds and their 'personalities'. Its so true. We've probably all got at least one mould that is almost effortless and forgiving to a point where it will always produce the goods. Another likes the sprue plate more loose
than most , some heat up quickly and others not so much. They really are individuals. Most , thank heaven are rewarding to cast from...while others ..I approach with fear and trepidation ! Perhaps its an attitude thing as Jim says. I need to speak more
quietly to the troublemakers ?
J.B.
RE: Time to cast, - Kurt - 03-14-2022
This last .38 mould I got from BA is a stinker. When it's up to temp I have to put pressure on the bottom corner of the mould for it to drop out. If I just open the mould I just about knock wood chips off my push stick beating on the hinge they stick that tight.
I'm about to give that halve of the block a figure 8 on some 800 grid paper to take a thousand off the face.
RE: Time to cast, - Distant Thunder - 03-14-2022
Kurt,
I have found that just a light lapping with a bullet and some compound will often make a sticky mold much easier to get along with.
I have a Lyman grease groove mold in .45 caliber and I was beating that thing senseless trying get the bullets to drop. I finally drilled and tapped the base of a bullet, ran a screw in and with a little lapping compound and some spins in the drill press the bullets dropped out with ease.
This new .44 Brook mold with the flat base screw in it almost "ejects" the bullets! I tap the hinge pin once open the mold and they jump out. And I did look, no spring-loaded devices in there that I can see.
My Lodi bullets were dropping out of the mold today too. Maybe it was just a good day! I do think I made some good progress in get me to understand this mold a little better and how it wants to be treated. We may just get along from now on. I am hopeful.
RE: Time to cast, - Don McDowell - 03-14-2022
LOL I have a couple of Brooks moulds that you get to where you clearly understand why he recommends that 2 lb dead blow hammer.
RE: Time to cast, - Kurt - 03-14-2022
LOL and Steve will give you a free casting lesson if you call him with a problem LOL.
Well I have some 400 and 600 Clover I will give it a try.
RE: Time to cast, - DirtySteve - 03-14-2022
I cast 220 bullets in the last two days.. 535 grain BACO PP money bullet mould. What is the largest spread for weight variation do you all think is acceptable? I have a .8 grain variation for todays session. Yesterdays was 1.2 grains from high to low...
I haven't cast bullets in several years and trying to get it down right. Previously I just cast pistol bullets with my Master Caster machine.. So I am new to ladle casting.
Steve D..
RE: Time to cast, - Distant Thunder - 03-14-2022
So, all together I cast 175 .45 caliber bullets and they weighed pretty well, 530.2 to 531.4 with the exception on 17 that were in the high 529 grain range and 13 of those were in the 1st 25 bullets I cast today. Those 17 will be used as ranging shots the rest are as good as I need for serious work and should cover me for the spring match at Lodi.
I figure +/- .6 grains is pretty good for the new method I used in pouring the lead. I had no rejects from weighing, but I do watch the bases pretty close while casting and anything that doesn't look right goes right back in the pot.
RE: Time to cast, - Distant Thunder - 03-14-2022
Steve,
I have shot as much as a 3 grain total spread, but sorted so I wasn't shooting the highs and lows in the same relay. That was back in my grease groove days and I did okay. Obviously the more consistent the weight the better, but you have to have bullets to shoot a match.
What I did today, +/- .6 grains is a realistic spread for me these days and has keep me in the top at most matches. After a point it's really up to the shooter to put 'em in the center!