Bullet weight from TLTC230 452

[frkelly74]

I wanted to cast up some real soft 45 bullets for the muzzle loader to use with sabots. So I did, I used recovered shotgun slugs and 22 plus some odd hard ball jacketed bullets lead from the hill at the range so I am pretty sure they are almost pure lead. I I did put about 18" of 50/50 solder wire in the 10 lb pot to make it fill out better. The result was the prettiest bullets I have ever cast. They were shiny silver well filled out and dead soft. They were also about 20 gr heavier than the nominal weight listed on the mold box. The mold is a 45 Lee tumble lube truncated cone with a 230 gr weight listed for it. The weight I was getting is in the 249 to 251 gr range. Is this a normal difference? I have to say that I was pretty satisfied with the way they shoot from the muzzle loader and they sure are pretty. Makes me want to figure out how to put up pictures.

[Gohon]

I think the Lee mould weights are calibrated on Lyman #2 alloy. Since you are using what may be almost pure lead then they will be heavier. Just load them up using data for the weight you get and you're good to go.

[jmsj]

I was thinking that Lee uses 10-1(lead-tin) for their alloy. If it is 10-1 or Lyman #2 like Gohon says, either will cast lighter than the higher lead content that you are using. Pick a load for the actual cast weight.

[Gohon]

You are correct......I checked their site and Lee does use a 10-1 alloy for mould weights......

[RobS]

Straight WW and looking at 238grains give or take so at 250 grains from nearly straight lead sounds about right.

[fryboy]

mine cast 238 grains and .454-ish from #2alloy ( made with lino per lyman's instructions which i find harder than their #2 alloy made with ww ) havent cast out of softer yet but i dont think i have a lee mold yet that cast what they say it does no matter the alloy i try lolz i do know these look like they could be reloaded and fired again except for the rifling marks

[Railbuggy]

I have the LEE TL452-230-2R mould that cast two boolits.With my WW + solder alloy,mine drop at 231 & 232 grain.
My LEE C309-160-R mould drops them at 151 and 152 grains with the same alloy.
I'm confused too.

[Bob Krack]

My Lee TL230TC always casts right around 252 using 50/50 WW/Lead. I always scratched my head but that's what they weighed.

Bob