Learning stuff all the time.

[ScottJ]

Not sure if this is alloy or technique thing but my latest batch of Lee 358-140-SWC are a whole grain on average heavier than the last 250 or so I've cast out of it.

I've actually cast many more but I weigh every one and allow a 1 grain window.

Of the 250 or so I've kept they've been hovering around 139.5 grains.

This latest batch the largest amount of them was 140.4 with 140.3 and 140.6 running a close second.

I also had a sizeable number (guess about 75 or so) in the 140.9 to 141.9 range.

I had a handfull of culls that were over 142 but I had finned those and just broke the fins off at the initial cull.

Guess I'll still load them up over the same charge I used for the last batches but will have to label them as a separate lot. Using 8.3gr No. 5 in a .357 mag.

I think I'll use the 140.9 - 141.9 group to work up a .38 special loading.

I thought I'd kept the alloy the same (smelted WW and add 1% solder before I start casting) but guess I let the tin content drop a bit.

[jdgabbard]

It could be a number of things. Maybe they casted a bit large due to mold temp, and the SMALL change in weight was the result. Maybe your alloy is slightly off. It shouldn't matter. Unless your talking about shooting long range, 100M+ (which I doubt with that boolit), then you'll probably see little if any difference. Just load them and shoot them.

[ScottJ]

Checked size and they're still the same as the last batches.

This is just 25 yard or less practice ammo so I plan to just shoot them. Would like to get into steel plate shooting but the local range running the matches allows no magnums on the plates (hence the need to work up some .38 special).

[mooman76]

Even a whole grain isn't very much. That's less than 1% off. Pretty good really and won't even be noticable. Lots of variables go into play making boolits that can change things a small amount.

[ScottJ]

Yeah, mooman, I'm probably overthinking it.

[cajun shooter]

Each mold cavity can have more size difference than what you have. Load and shoot

[gray wolf]

My goodness--please--load and shoot the things.
You will get the cast bullet shooting award if you can tell the difference.
It's a 38 special !! and it will eat a lot worse and give you some good shooting.
But on another note--it's good you are so observant.

[geargnasher]

My goodness--please--load and shoot the things.
You will get the cast bullet shooting award if you can tell the difference.
It's a 38 special !! and it will eat a lot worse and give you some good shooting.
But on another note--it's good you are so observant.

+1, for plinkers no need to be so picky on weight. You should take some of your rejects with good bases but off weights and shoot them for a group, I'll bet you can't tell the difference. It is a good thing to know that you're casting technique is netting you in the top one percent in the consistency department, good on you!

Gear

[Mk42gunner]

Maybe I'm lazy, but for 25 yard practice ammo, if the boolit looks good; I load it.

As the range gets longer, or the target smaller, then I get pickier.


Robert

[Dave C.]

Scott, I shoot conventional pistol (bullseye) and at 50 yards it would make a difference, but at 25 yards and less if it even looks like a bullet it will shoot X-ring.

Dave C.

[captaint]

I load more 200gr 45's than anything and there's just no way I'm weighing every boolit. I check every 25 or so IF thry all look filled out well and good bases. One grain. That's great. You the man.!! enjoy Mike

[ScottJ]

One grain. That's great. You the man.!!

Thanks. What had me questioning is that this is the 4th or 5th time I've used the mold and the first time I had a change in the average weight.

All the other times I've gotten 139.5 give or take .5.

[runfiverun]

it could also be humidity in the air while casting.

[ScottJ]

it could also be humidity in the air while casting.

Wondered about that. It monsooned outside when I was casting this last batch.

Hot & dry all the other times.

I even went back and weighed some from the last batch just to make sure. 139.5 as I remembered.

[gray wolf]

SCOTT

Knock it off and go shoot.
Lets see some targets Eh.


Do I need to say I said that in jest?

[ScottJ]

SCOTT

Knock it off and go shoot.
Lets see some targets Eh.

Only thing I took a pic of today was some j-word test results out of one of the mouseguns.

http://tinyurl.com/37y2463