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I'd like to get into the little pocket revolvers like the baby Remington but I need ammunition. I already have a .319 Lee Mould that I use for buckshot, but I've read it's a little small and I really need .321. Does anyone know of a good way to produce these little balls? I guess I could powdercoat my .319's but that seems wrong.
You might try to Beagle your mold to get a little more diameter.
There are plenty of members that can guide you as to the best way to do that.
That's what I do easy fix for a non issue , clear coat (vender here sells it)Quote:
Originally Posted by Super Sneaky Steve
I dont know beagleing - read some stuff ages ago - I used a piece of steel shim material - dont need it to conform to the cavity just fit so it separates the mold blocks - mine I pinned to the bottom of one block to hold in place - 3 thou did not leave any fins on the ball at all - after casting I put the balls in a canvas bag with some powdered graphite and tumbled them around by hand to even things out - do that with all my round ball anyway even the bought stuff - stops them corroding or whatever happens lead balls in storage -Quote:
Originally Posted by LAGS
the steel shim spacer is a quick easy fix
Before worrying too much, I would just try them. It would be nothing uncommon for your mold to actually be dropping .321" balls. Even if they didn't fit, I'm not sure a .321" ball would help. You generally want a ball about .005" larger than the chamber for a cap and ball.
Measure your cylinders. Have you checked the fit of the ball you have? If you shave a ring when seating the ball, you’ve got a fit. Try one cylinder in case the fit is loose, that way you eliminate any chance of a chain fire from cross-over flame. Another option is to seat a ball without powder. If it fits, remove the nipple and pound it out. If you want to try bigger, Track of the Wolf has 18 cavity. moulds in 0.330”
Track-of-The-Wolf will most likely have a correctly sized cast ball that you can try and they are reasonably priced.
Depending how I hold the calipers they measure between .319 and .321. I think it's worth trying. It's been a while since I cast these and these might be hardened lead. I'm not sure if pure would shrink more.Quote:
Originally Posted by megasupermagnum
before you buy a mold take a good hard look at commercial buckshot - cadge a couple of shotgun rounds and dismantle them for a try - if it works you will buy a can of buckshot cheaper than a mold and shoot a longtime to use it - I bought a 10 kg can of SG = 2800 round ball for my .32Quote:
Originally Posted by Super Sneaky Steve
000 = .36
00 = .33 (this is English SG) I use in my .32 caprifle which takes a bigger ball than most but its a very tight load - in a pistol it proly work unless too hard to ram?
0 = .32 we cant get this downunder but would be ideal for my lil gun
It's extremely important that the ball is just oversize to the cylinder enough to leave a cut ring behind when it's loaded in.Quote:
Originally Posted by megasupermagnum
Last thing you ever want to experience is a chain fire (TRUST ME on that !!!!) and the oversize ball creates a seal that keeps sparks away from the powder behind.
Even with that it's a good idea to seal the ball with a bit of grease or wax
I used 00 in my Dixie 31 pocket revolvers. Shaved alot of lead off but worked.