I have been helping my 17 yo daughter learn to cast and reload. She loves to shoot an AR in 223 and the old AK-47. I had not bothered to find components for the AK as I did not shoot it often and really did not enjoy it. She spotted it and wanted to try it and really liked it. So, a plan was hatched... work her into reloading and casting for it as the AR is not the best candidate for cast bullets. Now mind you... I only had dies as I would prep cases when I found them in hopes of someday reloading them.
George must have heard about this little adventure. We were gone for a few days and when we came back we discovered a problem!
We got home and found all of her Swiss Miss dark chocolate was gone and package wrappers were everywhere! Our useless fat guard cats were well fed as evidenced by the tuna cans in key locations. I was worried about intruders until I found a beautiful NOE 314-129-SP in brass sitting on my desk! I swear Alex thought someone broke in and left us gold!
Well, what does one do with a new mould??? You put the kid to work! Lots of complaints about weight, so I had to crib up a mould guide for her.
I had never used a brass mould, so we both learned that the mould needs to be really hot and and the lead needs to be hot! Ran the old RCBS pot at 720 and got good results. Still have problems with some work trails and not releasing the bullets upon opening. I think more heat and more casting sessions with the blocks will help. We got several made and coated with Smoke's powders. The humidity was really high so the coats are not perfect, but will work!
Notice they are safe, gentle bullets in pastel colors?
Next step is to work up a load for maybe 2230S.
Thanks George!