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Thread: Tongues on Tips of ML Bullets

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
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    SoNH
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    17

    Tongues on Tips of ML Bullets

    I’m casting pure lead (99.5% from RotoMetals) in a Lee 20-4 pot for Lee REAL 250gn 50cal ML bullets. I run my pot on about setting 5 for 750-775F and heat my mold to 400F on a hotplate.

    I’m getting a lot of tip surface deformities - some just a few wrinkles and others that are deeper cracks. I worry about the latter and toss them. I also see “tongues” on tips as seen in the picture. I’d appreciate any advice on avoiding these tip issues - thanks!




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  2. #2
    Super Moderator


    ShooterAZ's Avatar
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    You need more heat, with pure lead you need to be around 800* +.

  3. #3
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
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    SoNH
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    Quote Originally Posted by ShooterAZ View Post
    You need more heat, with pure lead you need to be around 800* +.
    Thanks - I’ll crank it up next time.

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy ericandelaine1975's Avatar
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    Oct 2018
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    North Carolina
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    For pure lead i cast at 820. The bullets have a whitish hazy look but no deformaties.

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  5. #5
    Boolit Master

    jcren's Avatar
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    South, Central Ok
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    Yep, those folds or inclusions are due to lead freezing as it is poured instead of staying liquid until the mold is filled. Hotter mold and or lead.
    "In God we trust, in all others, check the manual!"

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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