I know you don't want to hear this but: it depends on the gun, the hardness of the alloy, and if you PC or not, what type of lube and how fast you're going to push the boolit.
.357 shouldn't be...
Type: Posts; User: Conditor22
Forum: Cast Boolits
I know you don't want to hear this but: it depends on the gun, the hardness of the alloy, and if you PC or not, what type of lube and how fast you're going to push the boolit.
.357 shouldn't be...
Forum: Reloading Equipment
What tumbler are you using?
things will speed up if you use 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid or lemi-shine, cut tumbling time down to 1 hour
Forum: Cast Boolits
I have many old Lee molds that still work great ----- treat them right, keep the pivot point and alignment pins lubed, don't beat the **** out of them and they'll last a LOOONG time.
Some of Lee's...
Forum: Our Town
https://allthatsinteresting.com/schwerer-gustav-railway-gun
"It was more like a small building than a gun. From the ground up it was almost four stories tall, was over 150 feet long including...
Forum: Cast Boolits
I set up my garage so I can cast year-round.
With 2 vent fans over my pot and another that vents the whole garage if needed.
I have a small heater for the winter (doesn't take much with the big...
Forum: Cast Boolits
I like BE, AutoComp, HP-38/W231, H110 (all ball powders)
IF I could do ALL my reloading with just ball/flattened ball powders I'd be a happy camper.
Like Outpost said --- they (ball powders)...
try 50/50 acetone/atf let it sit several days. It will work its way under the grease
Forum: Coatings and Alternatives
The industrial chemists that developed PC determined that you need to Bake PC for XX minutes at XXX° AFTER one of 2 conditions is met (1) the PC starts to flow (2) the substrate reaches XXX° to...
IF I could find ball/flattened ball powders that gave great results in ALL my guns I'd be happy to get rid of all my flake and stick powders.
Just finished doing load workups for 55grn and 62 grn...
Forum: Casting Equipment
20# dipper pot for $57.12 https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/0000690949/magnum-melter-110-volt
The only weak point is the thermostat. I'd recommend either buying a PID from...
Forum: Cast Boolits
+1 on powdercoating, the easiest way to increase the diameter.
Lee has a TL356-95-RF (I don't know what it drops at if you cast it soft and cold)
You could also polish the mold cavities to make...
Forum: Cast Boolits
Pull the bullets, toss the powder in the yard and start over --- not worth the risk
Forum: Lead and Lead Alloys
https://i.imgur.com/FMztmCg.png
https://i.imgur.com/H0TUQYj.png
Forum: Coatings and Alternatives
The above link gives you data on smokeless powder
Forum: Coatings and Alternatives
SMOKELESS POWDERS DATABASE
https://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/search.php
BE ...
Forum: Coatings and Alternatives
KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY relates to PC also. Limit the time your PC is open/exposed to the air.
preheat boolits either in the oven <150° or on top of the oven (warms and dries them out)
My friend and I...
Forum: Casting Equipment
find the largest drill bit that fits in the hole, measure it. (you could take calipers with you and measure the bolt :)
Forum: Casting Equipment
Bolt the base of the tippy pot to the table or a bigger piece of something so it won't tip.
Forum: Lead and Lead Alloys
Linotype runs between 19-21 bhn; BUT, it depletes over time and they have to add more hardener.
Some print shops cast their own spacers -- lower BHN
I quit worrying about alloy content and just...
Forum: Coatings and Alternatives
The first/most important factor is --- DID YOU GET A COMPLETE CURE ON THE PC -- BAKE IT TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS.
iF NOT, ALL BETS ARE OFF.
...
Forum: Coatings and Alternatives
**note** there are a few PC's/colors that you don't need to stand up, they don't stick together if you dump and bake [first make sure you sift off all the excess PC]
Forum: Cast Boolits
You can get lead dust poisoning from decapping primers AND vibrator (dry) cleaning brass.
My latest lead test result:
LEAD, BLOOD (VENOUS) -
About this test
Details Component Results...
IF the base of a boolit doesn't fill out completely, most likely the sprue plate is too cold. warm it up with a propane torch like this...
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |