Cast bullet weight differences caused by different alloys

[ChuckS1]

Searched, but not sure I found the right answer, so here goes...

I'm looking at a getting a custom mold that casts 160 grains using pure linotype. Now I don't plan on using pure linotype, but the clip-on wheelweight alloy I have on hand. I'm using generic clip-on wheelweight alloy, so I can't really be sure of its true composition. All my alloy was bought at one time or another off Ebay or from someone of this site. Not sure if there's a "standard" for it or not.

What would the weight be using clip-on wheel weight alloy? I'm thinking that the wheelweight alloy will weigh about 5% more than the pure linotype, or about 168-170 grains. Would that be in the ballpark?

The other question is the impact on as cast diameter. Would it cast the same diameter, larger, or smaller?

[fecmech]

I'm thinking 170-173 grs. My 385429 casts 173 with WW metal and 160 with linotype.

[runfiverun]

i'd go with bout 168-170

[cbrick]

ChuckS1,

Weight for a bullet in a custom mold based on lino is not nearly as important as bullet diameter. If the mold is built to cast say a 30 cal bullet @ .309" based on lino you could well have a .307" bullet using your WW.

A higher antimony bullet (lino) will "shrink" far less than a softer lead alloy (WW). If your 160 grain bullet is 35 caliber the difference will be even more dramatic.

If you are having a custom mold built why not spec it on the alloy that you will be using?

Rick

[popper]

+1 cbrick. Size for a specific alloy for a standard and take what weight you get.

[badgeredd]

Tom at Accurate Molds can design a mold for you if you give him the information that is pertinent. i.e. alloy (COWW), diameter desired, general boolit shape, and weight desired. He has done so for me a couple times. AND he is very good at coming within an acceptable tolerance QUICKLY.

Edd

[ChuckS1]

Thanks for the input. I'm looking at a Ballisti-Cast S842 (the old H&G S242) which is supposed to cast 160 grains using linotype. I'm not so much worried about the weight but you are correct about diameter with my wheelweight alloy. I'll make sure Ballisti-Cast knows that I'm using wheelweights, not lino.

[sagamore-one]

I just happen to have an original H&G S 242 in eight cavity that I would sell . $275 delivered.

[Tom Myers]

Searched, but not sure I found the right answer, so here goes...

I'm looking at a getting a custom mold that casts 160 grains using pure Linotype. Now I don't plan on using pure Linotype, but the clip-on wheel weight alloy I have on hand. I'm using generic clip-on wheel weight alloy, so I can't really be sure of its true composition. All my alloy was bought at one time or another off Ebay or from someone of this site. Not sure if there's a "standard" for it or not.

What would the weight be using clip-on wheel weight alloy? I'm thinking that the wheel weight alloy will weigh about 5% more than the pure Linotype, or about 168-170 grains. Would that be in the ballpark?

The other question is the impact on as cast diameter. Would it cast the same diameter, larger, or smaller?


Chuck,

Linotype alloy has a calculated specific gravity of 10.3839.
Traditional wheel-weight alloy has calculated specific gravity of 11.0096.
So wheel-weight alloy is 1.060257 times as heavy as Linotype alloy.

160 grains x 1.060257 = 169.64 grains.

Depending on the diameter of the bullet, wheel-weight alloy castings of 0.45 caliber generally cast about 99.74% smaller than Linotype alloy castings and wheel-weight alloy castings of 0.25 cal bullet cast about 99.72% smaller than those cast of Linotype alloy.

So if a 30 caliber rifle bullet thrown from the mold using Linotype alloy casts a bullet with a diameter of 0.3115" then wheel-weight alloy should throw a bullet measuring 0.3107".

If the mold casts a pistol bullet measuring 0.3590" with Linotype alloy then a bullet cast of wheel-weight alloy should measure approximately 0.3581".

Please take into account that these values are only predictions based on calculations so real world applications may be slightly different.

Hope this helps

[ChuckS1]

Thanks, Tom! That was exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Much appreciated!