Casting 500g bullets with six cavity mold.

[Dick Dastardly]

I put in some quality time casting up some DD 45-70 Mk-III 500 grain bullets yesterday. Since this mold drops Six per pour, the bullets pile up fast. But, at 3000 grains of metal per pour, the pot goes empty fast.

So, if you are going to take advantage of the big Six cavity Big Lube®LLC 500 grain mold production, I suggest a pre-melt pot. Adding melted metal really keeps the bottom pour pot humming and the bullets casting at a more consistent temperature.

This is a new mold design from Big Lube®LLC and is the largest mold we make. Special high silicone aluminum alloy blocks were used. Standard Stainless Steel Big Lube®LLC mold handles fit this and all the other Big Lube®LLC molds.

DD-MDA

[felix]

What is the percentage of silicone within your aluminum mold blocks? ... felix

[Dick Dastardly]

Don't rightly know Felix. I left that up to my engineer/machinist. The high silicone aluminum was used because of it's machining qualities. The result is very high quality finish inside and out.

DD-MDA

[prs]

Dayhem Dick! You having trouble with groundghogs again or what?!?!? A 500gr pill ought to slow'm down a bit.

prs

[W.R.Buchanan]

Felix: They are probably using 2024 aluminum. That's what most aluminum moulds are made from.

This is no big secret since 2024 has more Si in it than anything else.

Randy

[felix]

Thanks, Randy and Dick. I figured somewhere around 18 percent would be the typical silicon max for the object to hold its machined dimensions when hot. ... felix

[quasi]

I do not think Lee use's 2024, but I think you are correct about everyone else.

[Alan in Vermont]

Big difference between Silicon and Silicone.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Lee's moulds are 2024 also. I think I read that on Ranch Dogs site? but I know I've seen it somewhere.

Really 2024 is the about only choice, possibly 7075. all the other alloys move too much when heated and wouldn't hold shape.

Randy