Process for new caster

[Goesfaster]

So I now have 40 reloads of my FIRST cast bullets. Lee .356 RN tumble lube mold, size as dropped .356-.357, with 45/45/10 lube. I water quenched half and air dried half. The alloy is softer than a #2 HB pencil but the actual BHN is unknown. Pistol is an M&P 9mm slugged to .355. My question is what order should I shoot them in? The loads are as follows:

Water quenched
10 Blue Dot 5.6g OAL 1.125
10 SR 7625 3.7G OAL 1.125

Air dry
10 Blue Dot 5.6g OAL 1.125
10 SR 7625 3.7g OAL 1.125

[.22-10-45]

I would shoot the air hard & lowest vel. loads first. That way you can find out if leading is a problem & need for water quench.

[runfiverun]

air cooled here too.
it's as far as I go in my 9mm [shrug]

[Goesfaster]

Thanks guys, I found out that the SR 7625 was a little better. Leading was present with all loads. I did not see a big change between air dry and water quenched....having read this after going to the range, I shot the water quenched first. I will be getting some Linotype or antimony to harden my alloy, I believe that will get me right where I need to be.

My next question is how much leading is acceptable and how many rounds do you shoot before calling a load good?

[runfiverun]

I like no leading [period] I'm pretty sure your sizing is the problem.
if there is just a grey streak near the end of the barrel that's not leading. [it's antimonial wash]
if there is a streak of lead along side the lands and you maintain that amount without build-up it's no problem.
if it starts causing issues with accuracy you got a problem.

I have been using 9 pounds of ww alloy to 1 pound of linotype in my 9m's recently.

if you are shooting 20 rounds at a test, and are making steps forward each time then you should be good when you are happy.
I have gone 20 years without cleaning the barrel on a couple of my guns.
and one session before cleaning the lube out of the gun in others.

[tyeo098]

Did you use enough lube? That was my first problem...

Also I stopped water quenching and let the powder do the obduration for me, that solved my leading issues.
Too hard = no bore seal = leading, so by the transitive property of mathematics, Too hard= leading. :)