Base Diameters after Baking

[GregLaROCHE]

I happened to check the diameter of some 500gr boolits for my .45-70 when I was done PC baking them. I normally size all afterwards, but this time measured a couple before.

I found most had the bases larger than the middle of the boolit, one or two thousandths. Am I using to much PC? Baking too hot or too long?

Has anyone else experienced this? I guess it’s not too big of a deal, because after sizing everything is equal. I was just wondering.

Thanks

[Wheelguns 1961]

In my opinion, I would think that you are using too much powder. After coating my bullets, I dump them in a collander and give them a few shakes to remove excess. They are still completely coated, but if I want to increase size by .001, I need to do two coats. Maybe mine is too thin, but they are fully coated and I don’t get any leading.

[Dragonheart]

Unless it is excessive I wouldn't worry about it as it is more important to get good coverage. When the powder is heated it will flow as it turns into a semi-liquid state. Naturally due to gravity it is going to tend to slide down somewhat. This is a reason I stand my bullets on their base and don't use the dump method. Standing provides a flat base and sizing makes the bands uniform. Of course the bullets are still lopsided, but that is the way they come out of the mold and PC has nothing to do with that.

[GregLaROCHE]

I certainly agree with standing them on their bases. I tried the bulk method once and they all ended up back in the melting pot. Maybe I could have salvaged some after resizing them, but they just didn’t look right to me.