my first attempt at casting

[jsizemore]

Could you post some close up pics of your mold block faces and the top of the mold blocks closed with the sprue plate open? Not looking for microbes but need to see detail.

[Land Owner]

Including everything else to cure wrinkles I found "Heating the Spru Plate" in this chapter of Glen Fryxell's book:

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chap...dleMusings.htm

[JoeJames]

From Ingot to Target gave me the idea of putting the mold into the pot bottom side up to heat the sprue plate. That works too.

[15meter]

Yes these are for a 40-65 high wall. but I'm shooting smokeless 5744. For the sprue plate I'm using the bullshop sprue plate lube. I'll probably eventually move to BP but I'm not set up to load BP as of yet. I'll be trying my second attempt today using my Chromalox smelter instead of the plumbers cast iron pot with propane burner. I think I'll be able to control the temps a little better and also I'll use a hot plate to warm the mold.

If you haven't used 5744 before, be aware it does not burn completely. There will be un-burned kernels in the barrel and chamber. In my 50-70 trapdoor and 43 Spanish I tilt the barrel down and give a big puff in the chamber to blow out the kernels. If not I get a dented case on the next round. The double rifles I load 5744 it's not as big a deal. Opening the barrels, the barrel drop and hitting the max open seems to knock most if not all the kernels out.

At one time Accurate had a warning in their literature to be aware of the incomplete combustion.

Crazy part is how well 5744 can shoot, even with the "stuff" left in the barrel.

I've been shooting it for almost 30 years, wouldn't have even tried it but came across 3 pounds for $10, total. It was sitting on the shelf in a party store that occupied the building of a defunct gun shop. Apparently the prior owners had left it there and the new owners were trying to just make it go away with out throwing it in the trash.

Bummer that it is now hovering around $50 a pound.

[oley55]

RobP1 is this fun and challenging or what??? I wish to God I had gotten into casting a long time ago. Of the whole reloading process, casting my own bullets seems to light the old fires better than anything else. Of course actual shooting is way more fun, but dang...there's just something about casting.

[RobP1]

RobP1 is this fun and challenging or what??? I wish to God I had gotten into casting a long time ago. Of the whole reloading process, casting my own bullets seems to light the old fires better than anything else. Of course actual shooting is way more fun, but dang...there's just something about casting.

I'm having a great time learning and this site has reduced the learning curve dramatically. Thanks

[JoeJames]

The ultimate experience for me was when I found that my own home cast bullets were just as accurate if not more accurate than store bought cast bullets. That was what I was hoping for, but just did not expect.

[RobP1]

I'll take some better pics today.

Could you post some close up pics of your mold block faces and the top of the mold blocks closed with the sprue plate open? Not looking for microbes but need to see detail.

[Soundguy]

The ultimate experience for me was when I found that my own home cast bullets were just as accurate if not more accurate than store bought cast bullets. That was what I was hoping for, but just did not expect.

And very likely cheaper and lubed better and with a superior alloy. Many commercially cast bullets are super hard and use a super hard lube, that way the bullets survive the retail experience of shipping stocking, etc..and aren't dented and abraided. The super hard alloy and lube are usually less than optimal for anything other than punching targets. ( they may not expand as well on game..and may require more cleaning ). Your home cast with hand touched alloy, size and a better lube are just all around better usually.... They just have to set in a jar or box till needed..not shipped 1000 bumpy miles and handled by 32 people before you buy them and bring them home.
Last commercial cast I bought were 22 hardness and had a hard green lube..harder than candle wax..could have been straight melted green crayons for all I know. I shot and dug a few out of a berm, no lube left..didnt like that.. So I aloxed them so I didn't have to clean lead out of may barrel.