what are people using for 223 core molds?

[sly mantis]

Hi
Just wondering what people are using to cast 223 core for 22lr jacketed bullets.
I have a swage dies set on the way and will need something to cast cores with. I have a fair bit of soft lead so id rather cast than have to buy lead wire.

Thanks

[sargenv]

I got a Lee blank 6 cavity mold and drilled my own holes to .1875".. I still need perfect the process, but if they are a bit heavy, I trim them and put them through the core swage die to get my "perfect" core..

[khamill2000]

Where did you get the blank and how much was it?

Nevermind. Found it.

http://leeprecision.com/bullet-casting/blank-molds/

[BT Sniper]

I plan to offer the same thing some day.

I think Lee offers blanks for $50. I can't believe they sell it for more then you can buy any of the others.

BT

[fcvan]

I saw where one poster bored core molds on the underside of a different mold. I suppose you could buy an extra sprue plate from Lee, drill and tap for the plate, and then mark/bore your core mold. I also saw where someone bored the core mold to hold the de-rimmed case so the cores were cast in the jacket to bond inside. I thought that was so cool so I poured alloy directly into .22 cases by holding them with pliers and putting the case against the pour spout. It worked ok and the cores did seem bonded with the inside of the .22 case. Frank

[runfiverun]

masscaster [airc] makes and sells 22 core molds about once a year.
single cavity but adjustable.
there is another dude on the evil-bay that sells them for about 50 bucks.

[Reload3006]

This is what I made to use for 30 caliber. the same thing would wok for 224. But you would need .187 diameter. I like the Lee Idea what i used for the bottom was just a piece of plate steel. Bore all the way through at tap drill size probably for a 10-32 then just open it up to .187 they work great.
http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/reload3006/2908.jpg

[Sonnypie]

Gee, you guys are easy.

Blank double cavity mold (http://www.titanreloading.com/molds/double-cavity-blank-bullet-mold) $19.49
Blank 6 cavity mold. (http://www.titanreloading.com/molds/6-cavity-blank-bullet-mold) $39.14

[alfloyd]

I extrude lead wire and then run them thru a core swage die to make them the same weight.
This works a lot better than casting cores, as the are all the same weight.

The only advantage of casting cores, in my opinion, is that you can use a harder lead for the core. You can still run them thru the core swage die if you cast them out of harder lead. Lead wire extruding requires me to use only soft lead to work with my equipment.

Lafaun

[BT Sniper]

One more advantage to casting cores is money saved. This way for those of use that don't have the abitlity to extrude wire we can purchase the lead for the going rate of about $1/lb and cast cores at about half the cost vs. buying wire. Although Lafaun does have the best going rate for wire.

I'll still swage the cores unless by some miracle the cast cores come out all within .3 grains.

BT

p.s. thanks sonny for the link. I just ordered 3 of them. Going to make a 22 and 30 cal adjustable mold out of them. Probably make it a 11 cavity mold too! AWESOME!

[Sonnypie]

B T,
Glad to help if I can.
I'm a caster, myself.
But I can dream....

They have the best prices I have found.

11 core? Holy Moly!
Or should we say... Holey Moldy? :bigsmyl2:

[miestro_jerry]

How big a hole do I need to drill for 38Spl/9mm core and for 45 ACP core?

Thanks,

Jerry

[alfloyd]

Diameter of cores for cal.

Cal - Dia
223 -.185
30 - .218
38 - .312
40 - .340
44 - .365
45 - .365

This is the size of lead wire that is cut and ran thru the core swage die.

Hope this helps.

Lafaun

[Reload3006]

I personally cast cores but I then swage them in my core swage die to uniform them. I only cast cores to save money on the lead wire as it usually runs a little over 3 dollars a pound.

[alfloyd]

I make and sell lead wire. It comes in what ever dia that you want.
Cost is $2.50 per pound plus shipping.

I also make the core swage die that works in a reloading press.
Cost is $105.00 delivered to your door.

Thanks
Lafaun

[Gunto]

alfloyd any pictures of swage die?

[gvanzeggelaar]

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn222/gvanzeggelaar/09b70cd5.jpg

This is a core made by Up North (tim) He is on this forum. It works very well. I highly recommend him. It is made from a blank lee 6 cavity mold and is adjustable

[alfloyd]

alfloyd any pictures of swage die?

Yes, here is one. It if for use of .187 dia lead slugs. It makes a core that is
.195 in dia.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=450&pictureid=4484

Here is another.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=450&pictureid=3818

If you need more info, just let me know.

Lafaun

[FWest]

I have 3 of Lafaun's dies. Great dies for a fair price.

[Utah Shooter]

I have 3 of Lafaun's dies. Great dies for a fair price.

I am happy with my Squirt die as well. Works like a charm.

[Gunto]

If you need more info, just let me know.

Lafaun

Great pictures, and looks it is the great stuff.
I am new in swaging and casting for rifle, but have made some swaged bullets for my 32 gauge shotgun and 12 gauge shotgun. Also I have some single cavity molds for making bullets, but these molds are history if compared with others.
It would be nice if you could give me more information about swaging dies etc.
The first instrument I have almost finished is the .22LR de-rim die. In my opinion it is easy to make, but for other dies I have no idea.
It would be great to start swage bullets for .223Rem.
Thanks!

[MightyThor]

I saw where one poster bored core molds on the underside of a different mold. I suppose you could buy an extra sprue plate from Lee, drill and tap for the plate, and then mark/bore your core mold.

That would be me. Usually I use an old round ball mold cause they practically give them away at the gun shows. Recently I was playing with a mill and made my own 30 cal mold from a chunk of aluminum. That was some fun, but for 19 or 39 bucks I will likely buy the lee blanks in the future.

http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1pf4jO6cxTWa6xvYTChlaZhQrIeLLp4iqT4wVkjD21V4oYq6q eMv3qMtKkxD74xpHZGgJvmXc_O5c

[rockrat]

I like the idea of putting derimmed cases in a suitably bored mould (say lee 22 bator) and casting directly in the derimmed case

[sly mantis]

how deep do you drill the holes for the mold? Im aiming for a 45-50gr core so i can swage 55gr bullets.

[Reload3006]

calculate the volume of a cylinder devide by the weight of lead.

Length x Pi X Radius squared x (desired weight /2867. 795)

Or if you send me your email address I will send you an excel spread sheet that will calculate it all out for you. But remember its only for pure lead weights will vary with alloy.

[Jjed]

Got one from masscaster, it's a single cavity adjustable, I cast them long then use a homemade core cutter and get two cores from each cast. Think I payed $40.00. it's a lot faster than the corbin piston setup I have. I have also used direct pour into the case using a drilled piece of wood, put the derimed cases in the holes fill them with lead then run them through the core seating die and the point form die for making plinkers for my AR they shoot fine for what I was doing, you get a very long lead point I cut them off with side cutters and load, not real pretty but they work.

[Littlewolf]

alfloyd: what would it take for a set of swage dies to make aprox 45gr boolits for 22 hornet in a long ojibe profile, possibly a concave boattail base, to work in a 7/8"x14 loading press.
asking for future refference

[alfloyd]

Littlewolf:

BT's dies will make a great bullet for the 22 Hornet.
I only make the lead wire extruding die, the lead core squirt/swage die, a derim die and a core seat die.

Lafaun

[Littlewolf]

thanks alfloyd

[FWest]

Littlewolf:

BT's dies will make a great bullet for the 22 Hornet.
I only make the lead wire extruding die, the lead core squirt/swage die, a derim die and a core seat die.

Lafaun


I have Lafaun's dies, all but the derim and I'm very happy with them. Fair price as well.