Heat treat

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Today was Heat treat day for my HV project for my Mod 70 win in 243. These are NOE 245-75 FN cast in 94-3-3 alloy.

Sizing and installing Gator GC


OK, I found out that packing a tuna can takes some time !


One hour at 425º F (that is 425 as per what the dial says)


The can-O-boolits moved quickly with my gloved hand into the water, then quickly (a split second), while submerged, the boolits were dumped out of the can with my other hand. The 5 gallon bucket was full of cold tap water, fresh out of the Minnesota ground in July...I suspect it to be about 55º to 58º F, but I didn't use a thermometer.


Dried on a towel. I like how the driving bands, which were shiney from sizing, are now bluish.


Next up will be some hardness testing...
==========================
edited: added hardness testing.

"untreated" 94-3-3 (BRN) alloy measures 12.5 BHN @ 4+ weeks

"treated" boolit at 2 hours old, BHN=22.8

"treated" boolit at 6 days old, BHN=27.2

"treated" boolit on 9-30-2014 (2 months) BHN=24.8

[Pb2au]

[leadman]

From my experience in heat treating they should get to max hardness in about 1 week. Depends on the alloy, temp, etc.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

First test:

This batch of 94-3-3 (BRN) alloy measures 12.5 BHN with these boolits "untreated" at 4+ weeks since they were cast.

A "treated" boolit at 2 hours old, BHN=22.8

[Deliverator]

I like that bracket to set your lee classic cast unside down for push through sizing. That is a neat trick.

[Rick O'Shay]

Ditto on what Deliverator said.

[Elkins45]

I like that bracket to set your lee classic cast unside down for push through sizing. That is a neat trick.

Isn't that an odd arm motion to lift the handle UP against the resistance of the sizer? That looks like it would make my arthritis wake up and say hello!

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Isn't that an odd arm motion to lift the handle UP against the resistance of the sizer? That looks like it would make my arthritis wake up and say hello!

The Lee classic allows for 360º adjustment of the handle. The way I have it set up for this function, it's really more pulling toward me, as opposed to lifting up.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I like that bracket to set your lee classic cast unside down for push through sizing. That is a neat trick.

The one in the OP was a prototype, heavy duty enough for swaging. Later after that, I made about eight of a simpler and lighter design and sold some here a couple years ago.



Mount the press right-side-up, or up side down.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Second hardness test

"treated" boolit at 6 days old, BHN=27.2

[DR Owl Creek]

Nice set up! Thanks for sharing!

Dave

[fivel_976]

Great info

[captaint]

Very innovative set up. Interesting that the nice mount you made is a dead ringer for RCBS green... I guess Mr. Lee won't mind. !!!!! Nice job... Mike

[tomme boy]

Are you sizing the bullets base first to crimp the checks? And what brand is that sizing die?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I sized them nose first.
The actual die is a Lyman that I honed out to .2455
the die is mounted into a threaded die body adapter made by theperfessor
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...t-2&highlight=

[Toymaker]

Good information, JonB. Did you happen to measure the BHN of the alloy or a bullet within a day or two of casting? I could look up the hardness in theory but the actual would be more interesting. Knowing the starting BHN would give a base point to the curve.

GREAT information, Thank you for sharing

[Garyshome]

Last time I tried that they all melted.

[Garyshome]

Keep us posted on how they shoot!

[OuchHot!]

JonB I am really impressed with that riser and upside down sizing press. Have you tried to track diameter as the boolits age? I know the shift is small, but it has interested me. Great set-up, you gave me a lot to think about.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Good information, JonB. Did you happen to measure the BHN of the alloy or a bullet within a day or two of casting? I could look up the hardness in theory but the actual would be more interesting. Knowing the starting BHN would give a base point to the curve.
GREAT information, Thank you for sharing

No, I didn't. I shoudl take a measurement today, in fact.

JonB I am really impressed with that riser and upside down sizing press. Have you tried to track diameter as the boolits age? I know the shift is small, but it has interested me. Great set-up, you gave me a lot to think about.

Yes, I check diameter...no measurable changes.