First & second casting sessions.

[novalty]

Finally got some time to try my hand at casting a couple weeks ago. Figured I wouldn't end up with a lot of good bullets, since it was my first time on my own and getting used to new equipment. Loaded up my RCBS Promelt for the first time, and set up the hotplate to heat up my molds. Overall it was a good learning experience, figured out my Lyman 452374 mold and my Lachmiller 162gr. SWC mold pretty well, but had a lot of wrinkle issues with my RCBS 158gr. RN, and my new MP 9mm mold, had issues with the pins for the hollow-points sticking in the mold. But did get it to drop just a couple molds full of bullets that didn't look horrible-still not useable, but impressed since they were from the first drop or two. Sorry in advance for the photos, can't seem to get my camera figured out for smaller items.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m11/novalty1970/Reloading/Firstcast_zps5462c59b.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/novalty1970/media/Reloading/Firstcast_zps5462c59b.jpg.html)
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m11/novalty1970/Reloading/225grRNamp162grSWC3_zps252c7ee3.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/novalty1970/media/Reloading/225grRNamp162grSWC3_zps252c7ee3.jpg.html)
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m11/novalty1970/Reloading/225grRNamp162grSWC5_zps5e027cb2.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/novalty1970/media/Reloading/225grRNamp162grSWC5_zps5e027cb2.jpg.html)
While the 452374 bullets looked nice they were dropping small, so still need some more practice. Got a good amount of the keepers from the Lachmiller 162gr SWC mold.

Figured I'd try getting my Mihec 9mm mold adjusted so the pins were working better and focus on that for my second session. Loosing the pins did help considerably, and I heated the mold on my hotplate, and applied a slight amount of the supplied lubricant using a q-tip, and worked the pins in & out of the block. Found I had to remove a couple of the e-clips as they were contacting the mold handles attach to the block. Got a lot more keepers, found my RCBS Pro-melt needs to be set somewhere near 725-750 on the dial. Experienced some sticking on the solid flat nose cavities, so haven't gotten it completely figured out. The HP cavities were dropping the bullets nicely, just by gently tapping the pins in. Overall, it was good to see I got some keepers, even though some are frosted.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m11/novalty1970/Reloading/Casting/IMG_6748_zps6c6753ea.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/novalty1970/media/Reloading/Casting/IMG_6748_zps6c6753ea.jpg.html)
For the life of me, I can't get my camera to take good close up pictures of small objects like boolits, so I think they look more frosted then they actually are.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m11/novalty1970/Reloading/Casting/IMG_6751_zpsc7d02cc7.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/novalty1970/media/Reloading/Casting/IMG_6751_zpsc7d02cc7.jpg.html)

Here is my work around for the mold guide to clear the penta pins that stick out the bottom of the mold.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m11/novalty1970/Reloading/Casting/IMG_6749_zps7c7061ee.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/novalty1970/media/Reloading/Casting/IMG_6749_zps7c7061ee.jpg.html)

A pic of my impromptu set up in my garage.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m11/novalty1970/Reloading/Casting/IMG_6747_zpsc01da83a.jpg (http://s100.photobucket.com/user/novalty1970/media/Reloading/Casting/IMG_6747_zpsc01da83a.jpg.html)

[abqcaster]

Brilliance on the pin clearance.

[novalty]

Brilliance on the pin clearance.

Well I wouldn't go that far. Mihec sent me both HP pin designs with the mold, instead of the round HP and blank pins I ordered. He said the pins were reversible, and I could grind down the penta pins, but I couldn't bring myself to do that. Given the weight of the mold, I knew I needed to try to still utilize the mold guide to prevent fatigue.

Still trying to figure out how to make it work better, but I went down to the local hardware and got a spacer the would slide on the rod and 4 fenderwashers. The cons on it are that: it doesn't allow for you to center the mold on the guide, as the mold just sits on top of the washers, and the washers will lightly scratch up the bottom of the mold. If I could find silicone or another type of washer that would be heat resistant yet less likely to scratch the mold that would be great.

[mroliver77]

I stack up some heavy steel blocks and plate to get my height and stops. My lyman uses a different type guide and modified it works well.
Very good job for a noob!!
J

[williamwaco]

Sorry in advance for the photos, can't seem to get my camera figured out for smaller items.



Some cameras,just can't do that.

Look on your settings dial or menu for a setting icon that looks like a three pointed tulip.


.

[45 Shooter]

I'm a newbie as well and those look WAY better than my first couple go 'rounds. Mine looked like shriveled up prunes :???:. Pratice makes perfect, I get better boolits every time I fire up the pot.

[novalty]

Some pics from my 3rd casting session: tried out my new Mihec HG#68 copy.
74456
74457
74458
74462
74460
74461

[jsteed]

Nice looking truck!!!

[novalty]

Nice looking truck!!!

Thanks. 2001 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD 4x4. (80,000 miles)