500 s&w miha 390-gn pointy-gc bullet first test results

[KAYDADOG]

500 S&W MIHA 390-GN POINTY-GC BULLET FIRST TEST RESULTS

The following informatim is the first results from casting this bullet.
Hornady gas checks no longer available first used for test.
Waiting for Sages copper gas checks to test comparison.
Sages 0.458 Aluminum gas checks came off with this test.
For comparison data included the LBT 440-LFN-GC bullet design

LBT 440-LFN-GC DATA:
CAST WEIGHT 440-GN AVG.
FINISHED WEIGHT 460-GN AVG.
SHANK DIA. 0.459"
HORNADY & ALUMINUM GAS CHECKS ARE SEATED ON TIGHT, NO PROBLEM

MIHA 390-GN POINTY-GC DATA:
CAST WEIGHT 360-GN AVG. CASTING A LITTLE LIGHT
FINISHED WEIGHT 375-GN AVG.
SHANK DIA. 0,454" THIS IS THE MAJOR CONCERN, UNDERSIZE SHANK DIA.
HORNADY GAS CHECKS SEAT BUT SPIN ON SHANK, NOT POPPING OFF.
LEAD WAS MIXED HARD AND MAY RESULT IN A SMALLER SHANK DIAMETER.
WAITING TO TEST SAGE'S COPPER GAS CHECKS TO SEE IF ANY DIFFERENCE.

Ran bullets thru Star Sizer to Lube, Size and Seat Gas Check

The Question: Has anyone else reached this point?
Would like to know what you are getting for the shank diameter.
Thank You

[mattellis2]

No knowledge or experience, but those are some funky looking bullets!

[KAYDADOG]

OK, there's over a dozen of these gas checked molds out there just delivered. It only took over a year to get them from the start. I'm finding it hard to believe no one else has cast any of these yet and what their results are using off the shelf gas checks. I've tested the Sage's gas checks and they are actually a little more loose than a Hornady gas check, probably because the Sage's gas checks shank height is about 0.020" less. In my opinion the MP mold's shank diameter is about 0.004" to small based on my LBT mold casting at 0.459" which is the correct shank diameter and gas checks crimp on perfectly. Currently having a custom mill ground to open up the MP mold's shank diameter to fit off the shelf gas checks. It would be good to hear what anyone else is experiencing.
Thank You

[Dieselhorses]

OK, there's over a dozen of these gas checked molds out there just delivered. It only took over a year to get them from the start. I'm finding it hard to believe no one else has cast any of these yet and what their results are using off the shelf gas checks. I've tested the Sage's gas checks and they are actually a little more loose than a Hornady gas check, probably because the Sage's gas checks shank height is about 0.020" less. In my opinion the MP mold's shank diameter is about 0.004" to small based on my LBT mold casting at 0.459" which is the correct shank diameter and gas checks crimp on perfectly. Currently having a custom mill ground to open up the MP mold's shank diameter to fit off the shelf gas checks. It would be good to hear what anyone else is experiencing.
Thank You

Well that's comforting. I should be getting mine any day now but will definitely check the specs. I'm sure hoping that my Sage checks work! (By all practical means.)

[KAYDADOG]

Just surprised no one else has cast any of these bullets yet using off the shelf gas checks.
I had a custom end-mill ground to 0.4585" to enlarge the shank diameter of the mold.
The test results were about the same using Hornady or Sage's standard gas checks.
The gas checks crimp on but still easily spin on the bullet shank.
This still points to the bullet shank being to small for off the shelf gas checks.
Using multiple gas check calibers, I never had this problem with any of my molds.
DukeInFlorida was to contact Miha about the shank dimension machined for this mold, still waiting.
It would be good to hear some feedback on some actual results from anyone who purchased this mold.
Thank You

[Dieselhorses]

Just surprised no one else has cast any of these bullets yet using off the shelf gas checks.
I had a custom end-mill ground to 0.4585" to enlarge the shank diameter of the mold.
The test results were about the same using Hornady or Sage's standard gas checks.
The gas checks crimp on but still easily spin on the bullet shank.
This still points to the bullet shank being to small for off the shelf gas checks.
Using multiple gas check calibers, I never had this problem with any of my molds.
DukeInFlorida was to contact Miha about the shank dimension machined for this mold, still waiting.
It would be good to hear some feedback on some actual results from anyone who purchased this mold.
Thank You

The checks are loose. Hmm, never encountered this before. Just started casting them today, stopped quickly!


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[KAYDADOG]

I would like to take this time to thank Miha for recognizing that the mold shank diameter might have been made to small.
The mold was replaced with a larger machined shank diameter.
All off the shelf 500 gas checks now fit tight and crimp on tight.
That includes the obsolete Hornady brand and Sage's standard aluminum and copper 500 gas checks.
I would also like to thank Duke for all his help in this matter.
Thank You