Adam10mm
11-02-2007, 02:57 PM
Did a 2.5:2 WW to lino melt today. Finally got to melt again. Been so long. First range trip since late April will be on Sunday.
Wanted mainly to try my new 10mm mold I posted samples of a few weeks ago; the 230gr SWC. Look great. No rejects so far. I double check them when I lube.
Had temp between 650-675 for the most part, dropped down to 600 towards the end. Tried to sneak some Lee C459-500-FN in there. Did ok. Bugger of a time with temp on those big ones. Handgun I do very well in. One or two casts and I'm dropping great boolits.
The monsters for the 45/70 were not so good. I had too much trouble with my 405-FN from Lee I just gave up and sold it. First they were wrinkled. I know, mold/melt too cool; mold in this instance. So for the next dozen I drop some, go for the next ones and while I'm waiting for those to form in the mold, I drop the bad ones from the previous drop back into the pot. I'm just warming the mold at this point. Melt in the mold, set it atop the melter to heat up quicker, same thing. I need to get a hot plate.
Had a few good ones. Most were wrinkled, some were frosty. Good enough for shooting though. Perhaps 14 decent ones that should hold up well to shooting. I just can't seem to get it right with these 45/70 boolits. I know 500gr are a lot to ask for but I'd think it would be easier than this. Geez.
The 10mm dropped at .4005 to .401 at 217-220gr (mold is .401/225gr nominal). With WW they drop at 230gr.
The 45/70 dropped at .458-.459 ranging from 468-471gr, IIRC the gas check is about 8.1-8.3gr so about 476-479gr. Not too shabby, probably 480-490gr with lube and check.
Of course I'll shut up now and post pics:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02753.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02750.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02749.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02752.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02751.jpg
Wanted mainly to try my new 10mm mold I posted samples of a few weeks ago; the 230gr SWC. Look great. No rejects so far. I double check them when I lube.
Had temp between 650-675 for the most part, dropped down to 600 towards the end. Tried to sneak some Lee C459-500-FN in there. Did ok. Bugger of a time with temp on those big ones. Handgun I do very well in. One or two casts and I'm dropping great boolits.
The monsters for the 45/70 were not so good. I had too much trouble with my 405-FN from Lee I just gave up and sold it. First they were wrinkled. I know, mold/melt too cool; mold in this instance. So for the next dozen I drop some, go for the next ones and while I'm waiting for those to form in the mold, I drop the bad ones from the previous drop back into the pot. I'm just warming the mold at this point. Melt in the mold, set it atop the melter to heat up quicker, same thing. I need to get a hot plate.
Had a few good ones. Most were wrinkled, some were frosty. Good enough for shooting though. Perhaps 14 decent ones that should hold up well to shooting. I just can't seem to get it right with these 45/70 boolits. I know 500gr are a lot to ask for but I'd think it would be easier than this. Geez.
The 10mm dropped at .4005 to .401 at 217-220gr (mold is .401/225gr nominal). With WW they drop at 230gr.
The 45/70 dropped at .458-.459 ranging from 468-471gr, IIRC the gas check is about 8.1-8.3gr so about 476-479gr. Not too shabby, probably 480-490gr with lube and check.
Of course I'll shut up now and post pics:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02753.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02750.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02749.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02752.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/freakshow10mm/Boolit%20Casting/DSC02751.jpg