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Thread: Casting weight don't match

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Casting weight don't match

    Can someone tell me why my cast bullets don't weigh the same as the mold weighs say . I am using Lee molds .452 weight 228GR . And my Bullets are all coming out at 220GR. Using LYMAN #2

  2. #2
    Boolit Master pjames32's Avatar
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    Not unusual to see a difference. Not sure what alloy Lee specifies for their mold weight. NOE molds are calibrated to COWW. My alloy is a little lighter.
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  3. #3
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    HATCH's Avatar
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    Are your sure its Lyman #2?

    You need more LEAD in your mix.
    Lighter boolits are caused by higher non-lead items (tin, ant, ect)

  4. #4
    Boolit Mold
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    I was thinking maybe LYMAN#2 is lighter then the pure lead that they calculated the molds for?

  5. #5
    Boolit Mold
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    I purchased some ingots from rotometals that were Stamped LYMAN #2

  6. #6
    Boolit Mold
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    Ok so I should just add more pure lead

  7. #7
    Boolit Mold
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    Thanks everyone I am new to this .

  8. #8
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    HATCH's Avatar
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    hold up a second.
    Your loading for a 45 acp pistol?

  9. #9
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    HATCH's Avatar
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    my suggestion is load them and shoot them.
    8 grains isn't gonna matter. What will matter is what do they look like.

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master

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    In the manufacturers moulds as and most cherry cut moulds ( lathe cut are more consistant on the cavities depths usually.) Deptjh of the cavities can and dose affect affect weight a cherry set deeper weighs more and shallower less. Alloys with Lead antimony and tin affect weight also. Sometimes mould temp and alloy temp affect weight slightly also. A new or different cherry may be slightly different on grease grooves depth ornose radious by a small amount also affecting weight. A sharpened cherry may also affect weight. Theres a lot that affects the finished weight of castings.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master

    mold maker's Avatar
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    If you were casting 55 gr 223s, an 8 gr difference might matter. The % difference with your boolits won't matter at all as long as they're the same.
    Information not shared. is wasted.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
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    Lee molds are regulated with 10-1 Lead/Tin alloy.

    Bullet Sizes & Weights – How to Vary Them

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Quote:
    The bullet diameters and weights presented in this list
    are based on the use of Taracorp’s Lawrence Magnum
    bullet alloy (2% tin, 6% antimony, 1/4% arsenic,
    91.75% lead).
    Bullet diameters and weights will vary considerably
    depending on the lead casting alloy used. This variation
    can be as much as 1/2% on the diameter, and 8% on
    the weight among the most commonly used casting
    alloys. For example, a .358-158 grain bullet might
    show a diameter variation of .002", and a 13 grain difference
    in weight.
    Of the most commonly used alloys, wheel weights (.5%
    tin, 4% antimony, 95% lead) will produce bullets having
    the smallest diameter and heaviest weight, with
    such bullets running approximately .3% smaller in
    diameter and 3% heavier than bullets cast with
    Taracorp's metal. Linotype will produce bullets with the
    largest diameter and lightest weights. This alloy will
    produce bullets approximately 1/10% larger and 3%
    lighter than Taracorp. Other alloys of tin and antimony,
    with antimony content above 5%, will produce bullets
    with diameters and weights falling between those cast
    from wheel weights and linotype.
    Alloys containing little or no antimony will cast considerably
    smaller than wheel weights and in some cases
    will produce bullets too small for adequate sizing.
    Within the limitations given above, the weight and
    diameter of a cast bullet can be adjusted by varying the
    alloy’s antimony content.
    The size and weight of bullets of a given alloy will also
    vary according to casting temperature. Higher temperatures
    will result in greater shrinkage as the bullet
    cools, thereby producing a slightly smaller and lighter
    bullet than one cast of the same alloy at a lower temperature
    Last edited by 243winxb; 06-15-2017 at 11:14 PM.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    There's something over 50 molds in the loading room and none of them cast exactly as stamped. Some are close, the smaller caliber mostly. Bigger bullets...never saw it happen and never concerned myself with the small differences.
    "In general, the art of government is to take as much money as possible from one class of citizens and give it to another class of citizens" Voltaire'

    The common virtue of capitalism is the sharing of equal opportunity. The common vice of socialism is the equal sharing of misery

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  14. #14
    Boolit Master

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    Actual weight matters extremely little, so long as it is consistent. Just realize that the alloy used is the determining factor in the weight obtained. Therefore, any change in alloy may require working up new loads. Since cast bullets aren't often loaded to maximum pressure levels, the main thing that might change with a change in alloy is leading or accuracy. That is why it is a good idea to cast large quantities at one time as it is easier to get in a groove and get consistent results, if things are going good.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Don't over think or agonize over the mould marked weight and the actual as cast weight. They will vary with the alloy used.
    Use the loading data for 228-230 grain bullets , trying to come up with data adjusted for the 220 grain actual weight just makes your hair grey. It's best to keep things as simple as possible until you get experienced with all this .
    Load safe,
    Gary
    Certified Cajun
    Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
    " Let's Go Brandon !"

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    My rcbs 158= 165 /Lee 160 = 163/rcbs180=190 .my lead alloy is obviously slightly softer than number 2 alloy,but they shoot well so I don't worry as long as the weight is consistent.

  17. #17
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    Welcome to the forum, for a while the search box will be your best friend. Most questions have been asked multiple times and there is a sticky or several threads discussing and offering answers to the question. If you can't find the answer by all means ask. I would be very surprised it 1 or more members hasn't been through the same thing and have an answer for you.

    Very important!! when it comes to reloading, never take just 1 source of information as law unless you are very familiar with it. Most of us have several reloading manuals (Lyman cast bullet handbook is a good one) and online castpics, manufacturers site ect are good places to double check your load data.

    NOT every answer on this site will be correct/correct for you. Most of us are everyday people (gun lovers) we give our opinions and/or what works for us. There are members who have spent their entire life in the the firearm/munitions "industry" and are a wealth of information.

    http://www.lasc.us/ and http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php will give you hours of good reading and a lot of good information

    LYMAN #2 will work but is a bit hard for 45 ACP, I would mix it at least 50/50 with pure to stretch your #2
    It is OK to use the load data for a heavier bullet like 230 grn for a 220 grn bullet but not the other way around

    One of the first things you need to do when getting into casting your own bullets is slug all your guns so you know what the bore diameters are and size your bullets at least 1 to 2 thousandths over that (some go 3) this will limit/prevent leading and get you the best accuracy.

    Welcome again to the addiction and happy casting

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    I don't have a single mold that drops as advertised. Lol. Some are closer than others. It really isn't as big of a deal as long as they are consistent.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master


    williamwaco's Avatar
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    I have been doing this for 60 years. I have never seen one that matched the spec.

    Unless you smelt in large batches, the bullets will vary from pot to pot.
    First reload: .22 Hornet. 1956.
    More at: http://reloadingtips.com/

    "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the
    government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian."
    - Henry Ford

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BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
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