nitrohuck
03-08-2013, 08:19 PM
Well, finally got to casting up my first batch of boolits today, huge thanks to everyone here on this forum who has helped me out thus far!
I lost count, but have something to the tune of about 150 NOE K-31's, and probably close to 175 Lee Makarov's.
I do not have a thermometer, but found the right temperature soon enough, first few batches were wrinkled but once the mold heated up all seemed to be fine and well. The k-31 mold is tough in my lyman 10lb pot, it is a little too small for the large 5-cavity mold, not to mention I had to fill the cavities singularly or two at a time, as I have a really small ladle at the moment (member here is helping me to get a larger ladle).
For fluxing I just cheese grated paraffin and put it in, seemed to do the trick pretty well.
One common problem I would run into was the mold not filling out the entire base, leaving a slightly rounded base to the boolits... this happened with the Makarov's more than the K-31's but prevalent in both to say the least. The k-31's will be gas checked, so I probably have nothing to worry about in that regard, no? But what about the makarovs? Those will be shot plain based as cast for plinkers, should I have any issue with a slightly rounded off base? you will be able to see what I mean in the images below, the camera flash really exaggerates the imperfections.
Anyhow, here are some photos, was stoked that my first casting session turned out so well, these CB's will be great for the falling plate event at my range tomorrow!
Now that I mention shooting them tomorrow, it brings up another question: Will it matter so much about not letting the makarovs sit for 2 weeks to age harden? For the k-31's they will be able to sit for 2 weeks if I want, but the makarovs will be shot tomorrow... unless that is a bad idea?
cheers!
~Nitro
6346063459
I lost count, but have something to the tune of about 150 NOE K-31's, and probably close to 175 Lee Makarov's.
I do not have a thermometer, but found the right temperature soon enough, first few batches were wrinkled but once the mold heated up all seemed to be fine and well. The k-31 mold is tough in my lyman 10lb pot, it is a little too small for the large 5-cavity mold, not to mention I had to fill the cavities singularly or two at a time, as I have a really small ladle at the moment (member here is helping me to get a larger ladle).
For fluxing I just cheese grated paraffin and put it in, seemed to do the trick pretty well.
One common problem I would run into was the mold not filling out the entire base, leaving a slightly rounded base to the boolits... this happened with the Makarov's more than the K-31's but prevalent in both to say the least. The k-31's will be gas checked, so I probably have nothing to worry about in that regard, no? But what about the makarovs? Those will be shot plain based as cast for plinkers, should I have any issue with a slightly rounded off base? you will be able to see what I mean in the images below, the camera flash really exaggerates the imperfections.
Anyhow, here are some photos, was stoked that my first casting session turned out so well, these CB's will be great for the falling plate event at my range tomorrow!
Now that I mention shooting them tomorrow, it brings up another question: Will it matter so much about not letting the makarovs sit for 2 weeks to age harden? For the k-31's they will be able to sit for 2 weeks if I want, but the makarovs will be shot tomorrow... unless that is a bad idea?
cheers!
~Nitro
6346063459