small boolits

[rollmyown]

Got a new mold. I have cats a few boolits out of pure lead so that I can smackone lenghtways with a hammer to fatten it to slug the bore. All is good the bore slugs at .4505 Will get lathesmiths star sizer in .452. Out of curiosity i put the calipers on some other slugs They are a smaller diameter than the sizing die. (4505). Is this because they are pure lead or do I have a problem? The mold should drop 'em at 454 :|

Thanks Rollmyown

[RobS]

Pure lead will cast smaller than an mixed alloy. I don't have the specifics on it yet, but if you don't mind who is the maker of the mold? Also what alloy are you planning on using?

[RobS]

Did some workup and it doesn't look like it will cast out at .454. I don't know if you had really good fillout when you cast these bullets. It would take quite a bit higher temp to have proper fillout with pure lead and no tin so I'm hoping for your sake the bullets didn't have real good fillout.

With your dimensions of .4505 from pure lead Lyman #2 would run you a bullet at .452 and lino around .4525. WW would be around .4515 maybe a bit larger.

[rollmyown]

It's the Mihec 270 gn .454 group buy. When it's up and running (read when i can get my hands on some Starline brass and star sizer die) I plan to use 50/50 WW/Pb.

[rollmyown]

Hard to say if it's 100% fillout.I guess the bands could be more sharply defined. I suppose I should add some tin and get the mould a little hotter.

[RobS]

Don't worry, Mihec molds cast out at or really close to desinated diameter. More than likely mold fillout is your issue. A forum member here cast 50/50 and he is getting bullets at or a bit under .454 with I think the same mold. outdoorfan can give you more specifics if you want to contact him: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?u=8546

[rollmyown]

Thanks for your help, I'm very much a novice caster, and I have no doubt the problem is of my own making. Just like a beautiful woman Mihec moulds are just too beautiful to have any fault! LOL

[RobS]

He does great work and his molds speak truths. Have fun with the new mold and shooting the bullets it cast when the rest of your reloading equipment arrives.

[MiHec]

Mold is too cold.....


Also run your alloy around 820F.


You should be OK once you have right temperature.

[rollmyown]

Thanks Miha, I'll try it hotter. Will post outcome.

[Moonie]

Keep in mind that dial calipers are NOT accurate enough to measure this type of thing. To accurately measure under +- .001(or more) you need a micrometer.

[rollmyown]

I'll have to make do with the starrett 799 calipers I have for now. I'd like a micrometer too, but I won't buy a cheap precision tool, so I'll have to wait a while untill I can aford one.

[MtGun44]

Fowler mics from Enco have proven to be good solid tool for under $30.
Well worth the money, carbide faces, well made. Modern manufacturing
methods makes this possible.

Bill