Which side do I put the HP pins in?

[fatelvis]

I just bought my first brass HP mould from Mihec, very nice! Do I install the HP pins in the side with the sprueplate, or the other side? Thanks!

[Balta]

This is my way...and worksIts easier to push pins out if needed when you drop boolits.That a great mold.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=754&pictureid=5895

[Balta]

And boolits looks great also,round hole,penta hole and solid
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=754&pictureid=5923

[fatelvis]

Ok, it looks like the opposite side as the sprue gets the pins. Do the bullets fall free from the mould as readily with the penta pins, opposed to the round pins?

[Dale53]

fatelvis;
When I got my first MP hollow point mould, I treated the points of the pins with mould release. The bullets drop nicely.

It is a good idea to slightly loosen the pins from the hollow point portion to allow them to self center. A drop of Bullshop Sprue Plate lube on each of the sliders is a good idea (a drop on the outside portion away from the cavities).

I now have several of the MP Cramer Style hollow point moulds - they are the best I have seen.

Here is a picture of the loaded bullets in .45 Auto Rim cases:
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/4DalesPistolsRevolversSelects-3332.jpg

Here's what you get with the mould (this is a two cavity cramer style for the H&G #503 .44 mould):

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/MiHecCramerStyleBulletMould-3205.jpg

Dale53

[kbstenberg]

I have a little different take on the side that the pins fit on. I am left handed. So i hold my mold in my left hand. When I turn the mold over to drop the bullets I want the pins on the side I hold the striker with. So I put the pins on the left side of the mold as it is waiting to be filled.
I don't srike the pins to push the bullets from the mold. I push them open.
Kevin

[2wheelDuke]

This is my way...and worksIts easier to push pins out if needed when you drop boolits.That a great mold.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=754&pictureid=5895

I originally installed mine opposite of this before I put the handles on. The it interfered with the mold guide on my bottom pour pot. I've put them into the other side of the blocks now so I can use the mold guide.

[Elkins45]

Put them on the side where they don't interfere with your mold guide, assuming you use a bottom pour melter.

[Mark85304]

I install the pins on the sprue plate side. I'm right handed so I hold the handles in my left hand to keep my right hand free to do what I need done. Once I fill the cavities I rest the mould on the aluminum base of my Lee bottom pour pot (helps dissipate heat a bit) before removing the sprue. While holding the mould in my left hand I turn the mould upside down so the sprueplate is on the bottom and open the mould. The boolits drop right out and if I need to, I can put the pins out with my right hand.

This works for me as I do not have a mould guide to get in the way. I don't need one.

I have not had real good luck casting with the Penta pins as of yet. What release agent are you guys using on the pins before casting? I might have to give that a try with the penta pins.

[John in WI]

Off topic but--those penta-hollow points are some beauties!

Does anyone have any performance reports about them vs. a "regular" hollow point? I really need to get a mold and have it HPed for my .38 so I'm interested in something that would work at lower velocites and with soft alloys.

Sorry for the hijack