BJK
07-29-2021, 04:40 PM
Using what I learned here about handling mould heat:
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?428706-first-session-with-NOE-30-5-cavity-mould
I applied to this mould:
https://www.mp-molds.com/product/357-135-flat-round-nose-bb-8-cavity-al-no-lube-groove-mold/
When I set up outdoors to cast it was an ideal day, temp near 70 (noon), sunny, low humidity, light random breeze. I had a few hours, so I decided to cast bullets. Using the information given to me and using my one mould and the sorta wet towel technique I was able to cast bullets as fast as I cared to. In maybe 2 hours, and that included melting the lead, I'm guessing I cast maybe 1k bullets with very few culls and most of them were called culls as the mould finished coming up to temp'. I still need to work on my work area as I'm leaning over far too much and that aggravates my old body. But I'm honing my technique and I gotta tell you that feels good. I used to look at bullet casting as being on a par with alchemy. It was a dark magic that only special people knew.
Arrgh! I lost track of the day and what started out as pretty much ideal turned into overcast (no problem there) but the humidity increased quite a bit and when I was ready to quit when I realized how uncomfortable it had gotten. But no one controls the weather. It was a very productive 2 hours. In a few days I'll coat, size, get a better count and put them on the shelf.
I did bring a random 225gr .309 finished bullet to show a fellow reloader today and he pronounced it, "That's a good looking bullet.". I agree, but looks don't count. I need to work up a load for them some day and test them out of a barrel. Maybe this season, maybe next. I can't imagine them not working fine though.
But so far I'm tickled. Thanks Cast Booliters! This forum is my only source for casting info. So learning to cast boolits can be done just by using the 'net.
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?428706-first-session-with-NOE-30-5-cavity-mould
I applied to this mould:
https://www.mp-molds.com/product/357-135-flat-round-nose-bb-8-cavity-al-no-lube-groove-mold/
When I set up outdoors to cast it was an ideal day, temp near 70 (noon), sunny, low humidity, light random breeze. I had a few hours, so I decided to cast bullets. Using the information given to me and using my one mould and the sorta wet towel technique I was able to cast bullets as fast as I cared to. In maybe 2 hours, and that included melting the lead, I'm guessing I cast maybe 1k bullets with very few culls and most of them were called culls as the mould finished coming up to temp'. I still need to work on my work area as I'm leaning over far too much and that aggravates my old body. But I'm honing my technique and I gotta tell you that feels good. I used to look at bullet casting as being on a par with alchemy. It was a dark magic that only special people knew.
Arrgh! I lost track of the day and what started out as pretty much ideal turned into overcast (no problem there) but the humidity increased quite a bit and when I was ready to quit when I realized how uncomfortable it had gotten. But no one controls the weather. It was a very productive 2 hours. In a few days I'll coat, size, get a better count and put them on the shelf.
I did bring a random 225gr .309 finished bullet to show a fellow reloader today and he pronounced it, "That's a good looking bullet.". I agree, but looks don't count. I need to work up a load for them some day and test them out of a barrel. Maybe this season, maybe next. I can't imagine them not working fine though.
But so far I'm tickled. Thanks Cast Booliters! This forum is my only source for casting info. So learning to cast boolits can be done just by using the 'net.