.257 Lyman mold

[bensonwe]

I'm having a problem with casting from my new mold. I have a lyman .257 65 grain mold & its dropping them at .72 - .78 grains. Could it be im casting too hot or cold? If so, what should the temp be? Is there anything else that could be causing the boolits to drop too large? thnks for the help.

[nanuk]

I think you'll find the responses here would suggest the weight is less of a concern than the diameter.

What is your alloy?

[bensonwe]

I'm not sure of the alloy. I using lead that is from the salvage yard. How do I tell what the alloy is from salvage yards?

[9.3X62AL]

A hardness tester gives a SOMEWHAT fair estimate of alloy composition. FWIW, I have what is likely the same mould design (Lyman #257420), and in 92/6/2 alloy it pours a .260" boolit at 72 grains.

[part_timer]

I"m running a 50/50 mix and they drop in the 70-73gr range and .259 IIRC

[Jon K]

I also have that mould, mine will drop @72 gr/.258.259 in WW&lino alloy @800*+
Use 20:1 lead/tin and it will drop @.257...weight will vary mould to mould.

Jon

[Mk42gunner]

ACWW drops at .259" and 71 grains from my 257420.

The variation in weight of your boolits is of more concern to me, on a 65-70 grain boolit I wouldn't worry too much about a one grain variation, but six grains says that you are having consistency problems. Are you closing the mold proerly each time? There could also be a speck of lead stuck between the mold faces.

Not to worry though, all your rejects can be remelted and poured again.

Robert