Hopefully someone can explain this to me.
I've been casting for 50 + years so am not new to it - but I'm pretty "low tech" as far as alloys, etc. I basically cast with two different things - pure lead for muzzleloading and "range lead" for everything else.
So here is my issue. I picked up a Lyman 445-599 mold which is a hollow base minie ball. According to my reference charts, this boolit was designed for 45 caliber rifles with Numeric barrels such as used on the old H &
A underhammer percussion rifles, some Navy Arms, etc. - primarily Numrich barrels though which have a history of being a tad bit tight and undersize.
My rifle is a vintage H & A underhammer - 45 cal - Numrich Barrel. I've owned probably three of these over the years and all have been tight bores so am familiar with that.
Today, I decided to try the Lyman 445-599 mold our and cast up a couple hundred or so. At least that was the plan.
I'm using about as pure lead as you can get - medical lead. And, since the mold is designed for a muzzleloader, it's supposed to be used with soft lead. Goes without saying.
I cast up perhaps 20 and let them cool down. I then got the rifle out and went to do a quick check on the fit. To add to the information, I am an experienced rifled musket shooter (.58 cal) so I know how a minie "should" fit - I like about .002 clearance. Well, I tried the 445-599 cast and they would not even begin to fit my barrel. I then grabbed my dial calipers and did a quick check and they measured at .455 NOT .445. I thought I may be off so I did a quick run of a couple though a Lee .452 sizer and it was a tight fit through it - so my measurements of .455 was right. And, I certainly cannot size them down .010".
So . . . my question is . . . . why would they Lyman 455-599 end up being .010 oversize? (.455 instead of .445). I realize that Lyman molds can be "off" and have found that through the years but certainly not .010"?
I really want to try this boolit in my under hammer - but after this experience I'm very hesitant to try another Lyman 445-599 mold for fear of ending up with the same results. If I can't get this solved, then I'll check with Tom at Accurate to see if he could cut one that would give the correct cast measurements that is needed for the Numeric barrel.
Am I missing something or do I need to change something as far as casting with this mold to get the .445 measurement that is needed and which the Lyman mold is "supposed" to give?
Normally I use a propane hotplate. Today, I was using my new Lee bottom pour - a whole different story - and I was ladle casting out of it. I was casting on the hotter side in order to get good skirt fill.
Thanks for any suggestions or input - greatly appreciated.