Nardoo
01-10-2007, 10:31 PM
Sorry to start a new thread but there is quite a delay in this hemisphere.
Beagle, I used the Loctite high temperature silicone and as you predicted it worked well. Apparently the temperature inside the mold does not reach 600 degrees F.
I used the molds after about 18 hours as I am an impatient coot (full curing time is supposed to be 24hours) and besides the ambient temperature is around 105 degrees F today. I encountered no problems at all casting and the bullets dropped as expected.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p317/nardoo/100_0224.jpg
The aluminium tape is .003" thickness and the thin smear of adhesive did not seem to increase it as the bullets miked right on .460".
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p317/nardoo/100_0221.jpg
I needed only one strip each side for the Lyman 457-124 but the RCBS 458-405 required 2 on one side and one strip on the other. I experimented before gluing the strips in and found I got the roundest bullets with 2 strips on the far side of the handle pins. Not sure why. I just used a faint smear of adhesive on the aluminium strips and cleaned up the spillage with a citrus based solvent. I wrapped the moulds in rubber bands and left over night.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p317/nardoo/100_0229.jpg
And the best part is beagling has also increased the diameter of the nose section of the bullets which my Ruger barrel needs. Turning out the driving bands will not do that. I am confident they will shoot better than the bullets I bumped to .460" as they are much more uniform. Will try them as soon as the weather cools.
Nardoo
Beagle, I used the Loctite high temperature silicone and as you predicted it worked well. Apparently the temperature inside the mold does not reach 600 degrees F.
I used the molds after about 18 hours as I am an impatient coot (full curing time is supposed to be 24hours) and besides the ambient temperature is around 105 degrees F today. I encountered no problems at all casting and the bullets dropped as expected.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p317/nardoo/100_0224.jpg
The aluminium tape is .003" thickness and the thin smear of adhesive did not seem to increase it as the bullets miked right on .460".
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p317/nardoo/100_0221.jpg
I needed only one strip each side for the Lyman 457-124 but the RCBS 458-405 required 2 on one side and one strip on the other. I experimented before gluing the strips in and found I got the roundest bullets with 2 strips on the far side of the handle pins. Not sure why. I just used a faint smear of adhesive on the aluminium strips and cleaned up the spillage with a citrus based solvent. I wrapped the moulds in rubber bands and left over night.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p317/nardoo/100_0229.jpg
And the best part is beagling has also increased the diameter of the nose section of the bullets which my Ruger barrel needs. Turning out the driving bands will not do that. I am confident they will shoot better than the bullets I bumped to .460" as they are much more uniform. Will try them as soon as the weather cools.
Nardoo