Snyders JerkyTitan ReloadingInline FabricationRepackbox
RotoMetals2Reloading EverythingLoad DataLee Precision
MidSouth Shooters Supply Wideners
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: MP mold 432WFN casting problem

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub solman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Posts
    54

    MP mold 432WFN casting problem

    I starting casting again after a year and a half hiatus. I bought this mold in a group buy in 2018 and just got around to using it. I have just finished the second casting session with it and I am having a problem with boolit fillout on the base. I cast about 100 each time as it didn't seem to make sense to go further. This is a 2 cavity brass mold plain base. 432-245-250gr. I find the first cavity fills out fine but the second cavity does not leave a nice flat base. I use a Lee 4-20 bottom pour pot and pour in a continuous motion. I tried the far cavity first and then push the handle to fill the second cavity. I tried reversing this procedure filling the back cavity first and then the front. Either way the last cavity filled will be rounded base. I am using range lead that tested at 12BHN on my LBT hardness tester.
    I have cast using Lee, RCBS, and Lyman molds in the past and have not run into this problem. I tried casting temp from 685-750 temp with no improvement.
    I am doing something wrong? I washed the mold with dish soap and hot water before use.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails thumbnail3.jpg   thumbnail2.jpg   thumbnail1.jpg   thumbnail.jpg  

  2. #2
    Boolit Master


    Walks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
    3,028
    Sprue Plate not hot enough ?

    Maybe stick the striking edge of the sprue plate into the melt for 5 seconds before castiing ?
    I HATE auto-correct

    Happiness is a Warm GUN & more ammo to shoot in it.

    My Experience and My Opinion, are just that, Mine.

    SASS #375 Life

  3. #3
    Boolit Master

    Hickory's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    The Great Black Swamp of Northwest Ohio
    Posts
    4,434
    Two things I'd try.
    First add a little bit of tin.
    Second loosen the screw on the sprue plate one half turn.
    Oh, one more thing, turn the heat up a little more.
    Political correctness is a national suicide pact.

    I am a sovereign individual, accountable
    only to God and my own conscience.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master Wheelguns 1961's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Mid atlantic area
    Posts
    1,306
    Maybe try opening up your valve so the lead comes out faster.
    Due to the price of primers, warning shots will no longer be given!

  5. #5
    Moderator


    Minerat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Jefferson County, CO
    Posts
    9,632
    I sometimes have to put a bevel on the sharp edges on the top of the mould where they meet. This makes a shallow "V" that lets air escape. I use a very fine ceramic stone to lightly hone the edges.
    Steve,

    Life Member NRA
    Colorado Rifle Club member
    Rocky Mtn Gun Owners member
    NAGR member

  6. #6
    Boolit Bub solman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Posts
    54
    "Second loosen the screw on the sprue plate one half turn.
    Oh, one more thing, turn the heat up a little more."
    Hickory you were right on this, I loosened the sprue plate a bit and turned up the heat and now it seems to be casting fine
    Thanks.
    Solman
    Minerat how much of a bevel do put on and does the sizer clean up the base?
    Just asking for my knowledge base.

  7. #7
    Moderator


    Minerat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Jefferson County, CO
    Posts
    9,632
    Just enough to take the sharp edge off each half between the cavities. I leave the edges alone in the cavities so it only lets the air out as they fill. That way I get better base fill out.
    Steve,

    Life Member NRA
    Colorado Rifle Club member
    Rocky Mtn Gun Owners member
    NAGR member

  8. #8
    Boolit Master dkf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Pa
    Posts
    1,555
    I break the sharp edge at the top of all my molds too. I use a super fine diamond hone, very little to just remove the sharp edge. The bevel does not show up on the bullets.

    That said you likely need more heat in the mold and sprue plate. It is not uncommon for the cavity closet to the sprue plate pivot screw to be a little colder IME. I have the same mold (and over a dozen other MP brass molds, lost count exactly) and they do like to cast on the hot side. For a bottom pour pot get your flow right out of the spout and try some pressure casting too, at least until the mold is heated up good. You have to feel out the right balance of mold block temp, sprue plate temp and lead melt temp.

  9. #9
    Boolit Bub solman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Posts
    54
    Yes I see now that each mold has it's own personality and needs varying techniques. The MP mold does like to be run hotter than my other molds that was new to me as this is my first MP mold. Once I got a good rhythm going all the castings went very well.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
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