new lost caster mold question

[art51]

I am very new to casting boolits/bullets and have read some on it. I have purchased a 122 gr round nose 9mm seca? 4 mold. My question is this: what exactly does the 122 gr mean? should my resulting bullet weigh this much? or is this an estimate of what it should weigh? Do I need to adjust my lead mixture in some way? All your knowledge is appreciated.

[fishhawk]

the 122 gr is what the boolit would weigh IF you used the normal alloy of lyman #2 the use of WW will make a little heaver boolit. and welcome aboard!

[garandsrus]

Art,

As fishhawk said, the boolit would weigh close to what the mold says with Lyman #2 alloy, but most folks don't use #2 so the real boolit weight will be a little heavier as WW have less tin and antimony and more lead than #2.

John

[cbrick]

art51, welcome to castboolits forum and the addictive, fascinating hobby of pouring your own.

As already said, the marked weight is the nominal weight, varying from this weight matters not a lick so to answer your question, no, you do not need to alter your alloy for the purpose of matching this weight. You may want to alter the alloy for its final hardness though. For the 9mm straight WW alloy should be fine and will weigh about 124-125 grains.

As more questions come up (and they will) don't be afraid to ask. The only dumb question is the one not asked. Every single caster on this forum was a complete beginner at one point.

Rick

[eaglefacts]

Welcome aboard Art51. These guys around here are willing to help with most any and all problems and questions.

[art51]

Great information everyone!! Now another question for all of you: what is a gas check, what is its function, should the case seat in this goove or above it? There is a lot for me to learn and thank all of you in advance for your contributions

[cbrick]

art51, does your SAECO 9mm 122 gr bullet look like this?

http://www.lasc.us/9mm.jpg

[Blammer]

Here is an example of a just cast boolit, for a GC, one with a GC seated, then the third one is a boolit with a GC seated sized and lubed.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Cast%20boolits/DSCN6478.jpg

[45nut]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/45nut/Boolit1.jpg

[Reloader06]

The function of a gas check is to minimize boolit deformation, mainly from gas cutting. Boolits with them, in general, can take a bit more pressure and leave less leading in the barrel. This is a generalization, but you'll figure these things out. BTW Welcome to the forum.

Matt

[art51]

yes Cbrick, that is my boolit; thanks Blammer, 45nut and realoder06 thats a big help. I'm crimping the shell just below the upper ring, if you will.

[cbrick]

Art, since you asked about gas checks I thought I'd see if its the bullet your using. It is a Bevel Base (BB) design, the angle on the base of the bullet is simply to aid in seating it in the case and is not a gas check shank. Cannot put a check on this type of bullet. Look at the gas check shank on the un-checked bullet that 45nut posted, the one on the right and compare this shank with your BB design.

Rick

[art51]

The server has been down all weekend! Thanks for the help al with these questions; I'm getting there!!

Art