Hollowpoint Concept?

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

I had a junk mould laying around, and a group buy for hollowpoint moulds got me thinking.

I drilled the mould, slapped it back together (an old Lee, so it involved the use of pins), and tried it out.

I'm having trouble with the pin making it cast cold, but it's just a concept mould. If I were going to actually use it, I'd build a new on on good blocks.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/DSC00383.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/DSC00383.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/DSC00385.jpg

Only took about an hour start to finish, and it shows it. But what do you all think of the concept? Shallow cupped hollowpoint with think walls?

Josh

[35remington]

Honestly, but you did ask......

The HP is somewhat off center, and it's doubtful it would expand. Shallow thick walled cavities don't agree with 45 ACP speeds in that regard. There's a reason successful hollowpoints in 45 ACP are usually both wide and deep.

I'd guess the bullet is now somewhat less accurate due to the off center hollow point, but you'll only know after shooting it.

[fredj338]

Hello,



Only took about an hour start to finish, and it shows it. But what do you all think of the concept? Shallow cupped hollowpoint with think walls?

Josh
I like the cup point for higher vel, it supports the expansion better than a thin nose section. For speeds over 900fps, IMO, the way to go. For speeds under 900fps, the bigger the better w/ lead/tin alloy if you want max expansion.

[Josh Smith]

Thanks folks.

35Remmy, it's just a concept -- a prototype -- made out of a junked Lee mould I didn't throw away.

I was trying it out, and never intended to shoot it. If I did, I wouldn't have done the work in just an hour! Fit and finish are sorely lacking. I might try to clean it up, but I doubt it.

I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'd want if I decided to build one, is all. I still have to figure out why the pin is cooling the lead, for starters, and what to do about it.

Thanks,

Josh

[Doc Highwall]

Check out Hollowpointmould.com and look at some of their pictures of the hollow point pins that he made.
http://www.hollowpointmold.com/

[Blammer]

I like the shallow dish style HP's. They work well for me.

Not a bad looking boolit other than it appears to be a tad off center.

[Josh Smith]

Thanks, folks.

I'm not sure the mould blocks are not off center themselves -- the rear cavity itself is ruined, don't remember how that happened, to be honest. Think it got dropped.

Regardless, I thought mine was an original idea. Seein's how that's not the case, I can copy one of those pins well enough. I see what I'm doing wrong (besides using the crappiest scrap lead I have to test!)

Should be easy enough to correct, and I think I'll do so. If I can get the mould blocks to line back up, then I might have a chance at restoring the mould.

Josh

[fredj338]

Here is a cup point that ERik did for me: RCBS 270/45 & LYman 44DEv.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v703/fredj338/452-268-1K.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v703/fredj338/44-272-1K.jpg

[Josh Smith]

OK, looks like I have the concept right on the pin now; now it's just a matter of getting a decent handle on it and running the correct temps, I think:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/angled.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/top.jpg

Better, you think? I know I was casting way cold. Also need to get an aluminum handle on the pin; the wood will not hold for long. It's starting to give out already in fact.

Josh

[captaint]

OK Josh - Now that looks like an improvement. Now, go pour up a bunch more with a hot mold and see how they shoot!!! enjoy Mike

[Doc Highwall]

I have cast hollow points and hollow base with Lyman moulds that have the removable plug and you have to keep the plug hot while emptying the mould. I use to bend an old metal coat hanger around the tip of a propane torch to hold the plug in the flame when I removed it from the mould.

[Josh Smith]

Thanks, Gents.

You know, I think I may just rebuild this entire mould and sell it. The rear cavity is not worth anything, but the front one is.

I prefer cast flat points.

I'll modify the pin and the mould (which really needs a better alignment pin setup in the front) and go from there.

Thanks again!

Josh