Little info-help casting bullets
Oakie
Member Posts: 40,503 ✭✭✭✭
So today I started casting some 250 grain 38-55 bullets. I have a brand new Lee molds, and was using wheel weights. I also added (bullet wax)? to the pot, in a small amount. No steel or tin . I checked each wheel weight before I started melting them. No pure lead either.
Here is my question/info that I need. The weight of each bullet is varying. I got anywhere from 248 to 252 grains. Some are dead on and some are within a .5 grains. Am I doing something wrong???? Why the different weights. I made sure the mold was clean of debris each time and my pour was consistent. If I felt I did something wrong or if the bullet didn't come out just perfect, It went back in the pot.
I'm not looking to get it perfect, just within a certain tolerance. Strictly hunting ammo. Not for competition or anything like that. Just want decent groups out to 200 yards.
Should I really be worrying about a grain or two???? What say you
Comments
Yes! That is your problem. You need to play a loop recording of RESPECT by Aretha Franklin while you are casting those bullets. Get a good rhythm going and those bullets will be spot on. It may help if you are just wearing underware.
I had a good rhythm at the end. When I started, I was like a nerd in a disco, listening to Devo. I ended up like a ballroom dancer at the end. Very smooth and free flowing. If the blocks are over heated, Will that effect the castings?????They are filling out completely. I was thinking that the mold might need to be seasoned???? I followed the instructions and cleaned them fist with a q tip and lighter fluid. I smoked them and followed the directions to a "T", that came with the molds.
Watch the finish on the finished bullets. Shiney is good, dull is getting too hot. I re-flux every 100 casts or when I add metal.
casting is a LOT different than buyng a box of commercial bullets. you are pouring a liquid into a mold and that liquid solidifies almost instantly. you will get bubbles that cause a weight variation. For rifle accuracy I go +- 1 grn. or back in the pot, for handgun it's 'mill run'.
i just dropPED MY batch of 375 cast last night , today I will weigh and mic.
in my opinion , plus or minus 3 grain s are just the way mine drop. A bullet driven at 1400 FPS is not going to know the difference in impact