Did some hollow-point casting today....

[Harry O]

I have an original 358156-GC hollow-point mould (for my .357 Magnums) and a 357446 (for my .38 Specials) that I had converted to a hollow-point. Both are single cavity. I casted with them alternately today. The pot was on its best behavior. The original 358156 was on its best behavior. For some reason, the 357446 was having problems staying hot enough. I was getting rounded, middle driving bands. I dug out a heating element I got somewhere and put the mould on it every 4th or 5th casting cycle. Then I would cast twice with the 358156 and by then, the 357446 was hot enough for another 4 or 5 casts. There were no problems after that.

Managed about 100 good ones per hour. Ended up with about 250 of the 357446 and about 325 of the 358156. I have cast up small amounts of both in the past and they are accurate with the same powder and amount I use with the solid-nose versions. This is the first time I cast that many and the first time I cast alternately with them. It probably won't be my last. It worked out well.

Slow, but still faster than casting with hollow-base moulds.

[Beagle333]

There's a lot to be said for single cav HP's. I'll just sit out and enjoy a nice afternoon with only one of em and pour and pour...... Now that's relaxing.:smile:

[JeffinNZ]

Certainly adds a new dimension to casting Harry.

[Mbedwell1971]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/20/u5ezyqu5.jpg
I cast about 200 of these 80gr .380 HP this afternoon.

[Swede44mag]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/20/u5ezyqu5.jpg
I cast about 200 of these 80gr .380 HP this afternoon.

What kind of a mold are you using?

[Mbedwell1971]

These came from a 358 NOE two cavity mould. I have a couple of their moulds and have been very pleased with them. They seem to maintain their temperatures better than my Lee moulds.

[myg30]

Harry, Its always a great day when the pot and the molds just click together and its a plus if the weather is good too ! Nothing beats a good casting session and a pile of pretty boolits taboot ! I love casting. It really is relaxing fer me too. If your molds are aluminum you need to be some what quick or cast hotter temp pot. You don't want the HP pin cooling down at all. If there is any wind outside at all and its cool or cold you got to keep it on a hot plate when you switch molds or higher lead temp. Sounds like you got it going in a good pace and good boolits.

Mbed,Nice looking boolits there. Nice Big mouths too ! Let us know how those bad boys shoot.

Merry Christmas all, Mike

Mike

[USSR]

These came from a 358 NOE two cavity mould. I have a couple of their moulds and have been very pleased with them. They seem to maintain their temperatures better than my Lee moulds.

Any chance you could list your load data with that bullet? I cast the very same bullet and use 2.5gr of 700X in .380 ACP. Thanks.

Don

[Mbedwell1971]

I could not find the exact bullet in any of my manuals. The closest I could find was in the Modern Reloading Second Edition with a 90gr jacketed bullet. It referenced a starting load of 3.2 gr of HP 38. I started with 3gr and had a few that didn't cycle well. I moved it up to 3.2gn and was getting around 860fps. Gun cycled perfectly with limited recoil. I moved it up to 3.5gn and approached 900fps. I decided not to push it any further. This mould also casts a 88gr FN. When I load those, I stick with 3.2gr of HP38.

[zuke]

I got spoiled with 6 cavity mold's

[Mbedwell1971]

It is definitely slow going with a two cavity mould, but I like the result! Looking forward to testing powder coating on these new week.