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Thread: Bullet Diameter in Pure Lead vs. Diameter in Lyman#2?

  1. 01-01-2018, 05:00 PM #1
    PBSmith
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    Bullet Diameter in Pure Lead vs. Diameter in Lyman#2?

    Say you cast a .30 cal bullet that drops 0.314 in Lyman #2 alloy.

    What will be the approximate diameter of a bullet cast in pure lead from the same mould? Assume all other factors (cast temp, etc.) are same.

    I've seen something on this but can't remember where.
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  2. 01-02-2018, 02:55 PM #2
    Larry Gibson
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    There is a chart in Lyman's CBH #3 that can give you a close idea. From that chart (page 58) it shows approximately .001 difference in diameter. While I've never cast any 30 cals with pure lead I have with 40-1. With my 311041HP Lyman mould I got closer to .0015 to .002 difference.
    Larry Gibson

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  3. 01-02-2018, 03:11 PM #3
    vzerone
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    To be more specific that #3 chose a 311291 for their example. Lead is .3095 weight 176, WW's is .310 weight 173, #2 is .3105 weight 168, and Lino is .3108 weight 163. They are were this diameter after being sized and I assmume Lyman uses a .308 die. Lead .3076, WW .3077, #2 .3080, and Lino .3081.

    Different diameter bullets (calibers) and weights don't shrink the same amount.
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  4. 01-03-2018, 08:11 PM #4
    PBSmith
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    Quote Originally Posted by Larry Gibson View Post
    There is a chart in Lyman's CBH #3 that can give you a close idea. From that chart (page 58) it shows approximately .001 difference in diameter. While I've never cast any 30 cals with pure lead I have with 40-1. With my 311041HP Lyman mould I got closer to .0015 to .002 difference.
    Thanks Larry. This relates to my post, "Oversize bullets in .30-06." Reportedly the NOE version of 314299 which I ordered will put a 0.303" dia nose in Lyman #2. So if I lose .0015-.002" in soft casting, that could work out favorably for the -06. Actually, I'll have a small %age of tin in the pot. Possible variations here in diameter due to actual mold size, my alloy, casting habits, etc.
    Last edited by PBSmith; 01-04-2018 at 08:34 PM.
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  5. 01-03-2018, 08:36 PM #5
    PBSmith
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    Quote Originally Posted by vzerone View Post
    To be more specific that #3 chose a 311291 for their example. Lead is .3095 weight 176, WW's is .310 weight 173, #2 is .3105 weight 168, and Lino is .3108 weight 163. They are were this diameter after being sized and I assmume Lyman uses a .308 die. Lead .3076, WW .3077, #2 .3080, and Lino .3081.

    Different diameter bullets (calibers) and weights don't shrink the same amount.
    Thanks for the details, vzerone. I hope you're not near the Great Lakes tonight. Very bitter and mercury dropping.
    Last edited by PBSmith; 01-05-2018 at 01:15 PM.
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  6. 01-06-2018, 08:09 PM #6
    mfraser264
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    Also reference RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1, page 13.
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  7. 01-07-2018, 03:20 PM #7
    Mitch
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    some good infor here to http://www.lasc.us/castbulletnotes.htm
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Abbreviations used in Reloading

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