Does adding tin affect boolit diameter?

[superior]

That is the question. If so, how much tin should be added to say, 10 pounds od ww to increase boolit diameter approx. 1 thousandth of an inch? Is that even possible?

[felix]

Antimony does the increase in diameter thing. Not tin. If tin seems to work, then the alloy definitely had some antimony. The tin in this situation became nothing more than a helper, if you will. ... felix

[fourarmed]

In my experience, it would have to be a very large-caliber boolit to gain a thousandth by merely changing alloy. If you need a thou, try beagling the mould with aluminum duct tape. If you search for that topic, you will find lots of info.

[superior]

OK! Thanks guys.

[Shiloh]

Tin acts as a wetting agent, increasing fluidity of the alloy. For better mold fill.

Shiloh

[HeavyMetal]

If your using pure lead you will see larger boolits from a tin antimony alloy.

How big an increase will depend on the alloy, size of boolit, temp you cast etc etc.

In the real world I suggest you play with alloy's or beagle as suggested.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

There is a source/point of information that used to be furnished by Redding in one of their catologs and it was called/titled the "Terracorp Formula". Doing a search on this will probably turn up some info regarding how much of what will have how much of an effect on the casting diameter of a bullet. H&G also made reference to this in their catalogs but they also referred to the changing of the weight by approx 6 per cent; I believe it was .0635% that was the multiplication factor. LLS

[armyrat1970]

And of course with different alloys you will get different weights given the same mold.

[Slow Elk 45/70]

You might try adding a teaspoon of "hard Shot"[shotgun shot] to your mix, it has antimony in it and may help , if I need .001-.003 I use the beagling method on my mold and go my merry way with my chosen alloy. Works for me.

[243winxb]

That is the question. If so, how much tin should be added to say, 10 pounds od ww to increase boolit diameter approx. 1 thousandth of an inch? Is that even possible? The bullet diameters and weights presented in this list
are based on the use of Taracorp’s Lawrence Magnum
bullet alloy (2% tin, 6% antimony, 1/4% arsenic,
91.75% lead).
Bullet diameters and weights will vary considerably
depending on the lead casting alloy used. This variation
can be as much as 1/2% on the diameter, and 8% on
the weight among the most commonly used casting
alloys. For example, a .358-158 grain bullet might
show a diameter variation of .002", and a 13 grain difference
in weight.
Of the most commonly used alloys, wheel weights (.5%
tin, 4% antimony, 95% lead) will produce bullets having
the smallest diameter and heaviest weight, with
such bullets running approximately .3% smaller in
diameter and 3% heavier than bullets cast with
Taracorp's metal. Linotype will produce bullets with the
largest diameter and lightest weights. This alloy will
produce bullets approximately 1/10% larger and 3%
lighter than Taracorp. Other alloys of tin and antimony,
with antimony content above 5%, will produce bullets
with diameters and weights falling between those cast
from wheel weights and linotype.
Alloys containing little or no antimony will cast considerably
smaller than wheel weights and in some cases
will produce bullets too small for adequate sizing.
Within the limitations given above, the weight and
diameter of a cast bullet can be adjusted by varying the
alloy’s antimony content.
The size and weight of bullets of a given alloy will also
vary according to casting temperature. Higher temperatures
will result in greater shrinkage as the bullet
cools, thereby producing a slightly smaller and lighter
bullet than one cast of the same alloy at a lower temperature http://www.redding-reloading.com/PDF...ulletchart.pdf