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SciFiJim
12-05-2009, 08:04 PM
Finally got a chance to try out my 454424 mold. I warmed the mold be resting it on top of the melt. Used 50/50 WWs and pure with a touch of tin. I got about a 10% rejection rate. I think it is because I slipped with the Q-tip and got some Bullshop sprue plate lube in the base of one of the cavities (The rejects were because of incomplete fill out on the base band).

Measurement of 10 at random

Seam 90* from seam
.456 .455
.456 .4545
.456 .455
.456 .454
.4555 .4545
.4555 .4545
.456 .4545
.456 .4545
.4555 .455
.4545 .455

This is the results from using a soup ladle and a stainless steel sauce pan over a gas fire. My temps were all over the place and I had to let the mold cool off several times after getting a lot of frosting. Remarkable consistency for the equipment I was using.

Thanks Al for a great mold!

ddixie884
12-16-2009, 11:43 PM
Could you tell me the weight, please.

SciFiJim
12-17-2009, 12:20 AM
I hadn't weighed any before so I just grabbed three at random.

255.5
253.8
254.9

A small sample, but less than 1% variance. These were cast with an alloy of 50/50 clip on WW & stick on WW.

The sizes above sized down very easily to .452. I am working on a heavy boolit load for my .45acp. Haven't even tried feeding dummies yet though.

ddixie884
12-17-2009, 01:30 AM
Thank you very much. I am searching for a .45 swc at 250 grs for a Keith load of 18.5 grs 2400 in LC for SAA and S&W use. BE well.

376Steyr
12-30-2009, 06:31 PM
Finally tried mine. With my scrapyard alloy, which I'll dignify by calling it half WW/half pure lead, mine measured in the .455-.456 range, averaging around 253 grains. I'm happy.

hamour
01-26-2010, 02:12 PM
Have used my 5 banger with range lead and 2.5% tin added. Beautiful bullets and accurate as heck from my 25.5 S&W (8.5grs unique). Also brewed up some using lyman # 2 alloy, same results!

I am more than pleased with this mold and love that honkin big bullet.

SciFiJim
01-27-2010, 01:44 AM
I found a new use for my 454424 mold. I use it to cast my 50/50 solder into slugs to sweeten the pot. I casted about 10 lbs of solder. Average weight ~ .495 oz, call it 1/2oz. Sure makes shiny boolits. I had to run the mold much cooler than normal, or it took forever (like 30 seconds) for the sprue to cool.

Frozone
01-27-2010, 02:03 AM
I found a new use for my 454424 mold. I use it to cast my 50/50 solder into slugs to sweeten the pot.

I use an old Lee 2 cavity that I bored out. It makes 15 gram tin slugs. I use a .440 RB mold to make ~5 gram balls.

I have a different use for my 454424 from Swede. I use it to practice "Wack A Mole"
The darn thing is so sticky, I can't keep heat in it. By the time I've beat the living snot out of the handle pivot and got the bullets out, It's too cold to cast with, I have to reheat it. I bet it takes an average of 30 Hard strikes to get the 2 cavities to drop.

Been 'Leemented' twice, lapped 3 times and it still wont drop. It's been cleaned so many times I can't remember and it still doesn't fill out - need I go on?

I was going to ask Swede if he could make a 5 holer for me but I'm afraid to. It's a shame really, it's one of the best shooting bullets I have, if I can ever get a good one. 1 in 30 - 40 are keepers

SwedeNelson
01-27-2010, 11:21 AM
Frozone

Dam
I'm sorry you are having so much trouble with your mould.
Get it back to me and we will replace it or get you your money back.
In fact I will box up a new one and get it out in the mail today.

Life is to short to have to fight with a bad mould.

Swede Nelson

Frozone
01-27-2010, 06:12 PM
Thank You Swede,

I can report that I've got it much better today.
After the last post I decided to try again with a few new ideas.

I burnished the bands (I guess you say "positive edges") with a squared toothpick.
I recleaned with mineral spirits and then boiled it, twice. I've done that before but since I'd had my fingers in the way...
I than used mold release (NAPA flavor).
I ran the melt ( WW + 2%tin) @ 845, and the mold slightly frosty. I got good fillout, and Most drop in 3 - 4 hits. Mold is still rather sticky to open but I can live with it.

I really don't like to add release to a mold and I prefer a melt temp < 750. Oh well, Things are acceptable.

Thanks Again for your great customer service.