Is it normal for RBs to shrink?
I am casting pure lead (BHN5) round balls in an old Ideal mold marked 451 but they drop at 447/448. I know it's only a few thousandths but I am planning to shoot them from my Pietta 1858 Remington NMA revolver which recommends 451.
That's quite a variation. Some molds just plain don't cast what they are marked as. Use a different mold that you know the cast size, and see if you alloy casts to the same diameter as expected. If so, it's an undersized RB mold. You may be able to lap it out to desired dimension.
The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
John Taylor - "African Rifles and Cartridges"
Forget everything you know about loading jacketed bullets. This is a whole new ball game!
Pure lead shrinks more than alloys - which is why a moldmaker needs to know the intended alloy when a mold is ordered.
Thank you HWooldridge that explains why my 440 mold drops 438 balls tooOriginally Posted by HWooldridge
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