Boolit Weight Variances

[Pahaska]

"Boolit Weight Variances": I'm casting .510" dia, 500gr boolits for my Winchester 71 lever action, 50 Alaskan. My question: what weight consistencies should I be or do you try to get expect concerning accuracy?

[rintinglen]

If using a single cavity mold, I use + or minus .3 grains as my optimal range if loading for utmost accuracy for a boolit over 300 grains. But for most uses, especially handguns, but including iron sighted rifles, I just visually inspect and reject boolits with obvious defects, while keeping and using the rest. At 500 grains, even a 1 or 2 grain variance has a minimal impact on group size.

[gwpercle]

For bear protection ... measured in feet ... visual inspection for defects , no defects ...
load and shoot , weighing boolits that big to be used at ranges that close is a waste of your time .

But if you insist on weighing them then +/- .3 grains would be just fine .

Gary

[country gent]

The old rule of thumb was +/- 1% of bullet weight, A 50 grn bullet would be .5 grns variance while a 500 grn bullet is 5 grns with this as a standard.
On 500 grn plus bullets I normally run at .5 grns variance from high to low, but am more concerned with visual flaws and square sharp bases.
With good casting technique and control you should be able to make this mark of .5 grns as cast with practice.
Pre heat the mould
throw the first 5-8 pours back just because
Maintain cadence heat and volume in the pot.
Pour the largest sprue possible

[Pahaska]

Thanks for the input. I'm presently getting mostly2 grain consistency regularly.

[Winger Ed.]

I'm presently getting mostly2 grain consistency regularly.

That sounds pretty normal.

Frequently stirring the pot seems to help for me.
It might be my imagination,
but I think sitting still, the molten metals begin to stratify with the lighter ones drifting towards the top.