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RustyFN
06-07-2008, 10:15 PM
I did some casting today. I turned the pot up to around 800 degrees or a hair under. I also added 24 inches of 95/5 solder. I left the mold in the melt to heat up and ran two loads through to heat the rest of the way. Every time I would knock off the sprue I would add it back in the pot. I only had three bullets that I wasn't happy with and remelted them. I also remelted the ones I cast last time except around 20 that I had lubed. These are from today.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8d826b3127ccec41a2e5f7ea800000026100DZOGblm4Yg9 vPhI

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8d826b3127ccec41a2c0e7ef800000026100DZOGblm4Yg9 vPhI

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8d826b3127ccec41aac247e9200000026100DZOGblm4Yg9 vPhI

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8d826b3127ccec41bdd0f9f6500000026100DZOGblm4Yg9 vPhI

The mold is a Lyman 200 grain SWC. I weighed around ten or so and they all weighed 199 to 200. I also have another question. When I open the mold to drop the bullets I have to tap the mold with my wooden hammer to get them to drop out. Is this normal or is there something I can do so they will drop on their own? I just wanted to thank everybody again for all of your help and suggestions.
Rusty

billyb
06-07-2008, 10:34 PM
done good look like keepers to me. yes normal to have tap on the mold handle hinge pin to get the bullets to drop. every once in a while the will drop on thier own. I try to open the mold just i hit the hinge with a rawhide mallet. they will jump out if timed wright. Bill

GrizzLeeBear
06-07-2008, 10:38 PM
Looks like your gettin the hang of it! Like billy said though, hit the hinge pin, not the mold to knock the boolits loose.

docone31
06-07-2008, 10:47 PM
Look like mine. You on the right track.
I have to bap the mold to get mine to drop. I found it simpler to use the wood dowel I use to move the sprue plate to also nudge the bullet bases. They pop out pretty easily with just a little nudge. I also smoke my mold heavily. That seems to help. I smoke the mold with the mold open.
They look good though. Should shoot well.
How does it feel?

runfiverun
06-07-2008, 11:36 PM
them is good boolits, you got it.

RustyFN
06-08-2008, 12:16 AM
How does it feel?
It feels great. I can't wait to lube some and shoot them. I was having so much fun casting today that the day just flew by. I'll have to try tapping the hindge bolt. Thanks,
Rusty

ANeat
06-08-2008, 12:29 AM
Now you knew them was great lookin bullets when you seen em fall out of the mold.

Now ya got another hobby ;)

If I have any bullets that wont fall out of the mold I just tip em out with my thumb (gloves of course)

knothead
06-08-2008, 12:38 AM
Nice job
very good looking bullets

HeavyMetal
06-08-2008, 01:02 AM
A little tin'l do ya just fine! As you've found out!

Good looking boolits and looks like a good amount to.

Next up try two molds of the same design and rotate while casting ( one cools while you fill the other) This will double your out put and won't take any more time to do it.

randyrat
06-08-2008, 01:22 AM
Smoke the inside cavities with a book of paper matches, hold the matches near the cavities and they will turn out black smoke better. Your bullets will drop like hot potatos, you still may have to tap a little. Good looking bullets! Whatever you do don't break the sprue plate too early or you'll smear lead and cause problems.

MtGun44
06-08-2008, 01:52 AM
Those look like 452460s. This is one of THE most accurate boolits in my
Dan Wesson 1911 over 3.5 Titegroup. About one 3/4" hole at 25 yds.

They look great. Size .452, put over 3.5 Bullseye or Titegroup with matched
headstamp brass and you'll have some really good ammo.

Bill

copdills
06-08-2008, 05:30 AM
GREAT looking BULLETS Rusty ( Great Job)

jawjaboy
06-08-2008, 07:17 AM
Ain't no stoppin ya now Rusty. You're toast. Done for. :mrgreen:

Looks great. :drinks:

DLCTEX
06-08-2008, 08:16 AM
They look like they need testing. Send 500-1000 and I'll wring them out for you. LOL. I wear heavy leather gloves when casting and push the sprue plate open with my hand, then nudge the boolit base with my thumb. Most of my molds have a point of temp at which the boolits will drop from the mold. I vary pot temp and casting rate until I find it, or use a wet rag to cool the mold slightly to keep the temp there. DALE

imashooter2
06-08-2008, 03:46 PM
Much better effort. Those are keepers. Congratulations!

AZ-Stew
06-09-2008, 03:42 PM
Nice lookin' boolits! Nice square bases. They should be really good shooters.

Regards,

Stew

RustyFN
06-09-2008, 05:03 PM
Good eye MtGun44. The mold is a Lyman 452460 four cavity. I just finished lubing them. I had 565.
Rusty

Blammer
06-09-2008, 07:52 PM
nice! Looking good, just make sure you're not RIPPING the sprue instead of cutting it.

Dale53
06-10-2008, 12:07 AM
GOOD lookin' bullets, for sure!!

Dale53

pjh421
06-10-2008, 02:10 PM
I'd shoot those. If you get any lead smearing, check with Bull Shop for some sprue plate lube.

Paul

HORNET
06-10-2008, 07:45 PM
By George, I think he's got it! Nice looking boolits. A couple hundred more pounds of them and you should have it just about perfect. Then you need more molds...and more molds... and...... LOL

AZ-Stew
06-10-2008, 09:03 PM
BTW...

The sharper that edge around the boolit base, the more accurate the boolit, assuming good fillout of the rest of the mould.

The round corners at the base aren't of themselves detractive of accuracy, it's the fact that you can't ever get the rounded corners to be consistent. Each is a bit different radius from its neighbor. The boolit base is the last part to exit the barrel. It's been proven through many tests that boolits with nose flaws and clean bases will consistently outshoot boolits with perfect noses and imperfect bases. Took me a long time in the school of thick skulls to learn that one. You're certainly on the right track Those are some mighty fine looking castings.

Regards,

Stew

RustyFN
06-10-2008, 09:09 PM
Thanks everybody. HORNET I know what you mean. I am already thinking about getting a mold for 38 spcl and one for 9mm.
Rusty

docone31
06-10-2008, 09:31 PM
Rusty, I am pretty sure the Lee 124gn 9mm mold will also size for .357. You might be able to get two birds with one stone. I size mine at .356, and I remember it was an effort to size them. You might get them as cast to do .358.
Just a thought.