Little info-help casting bullets
Oakie
Member Posts: 40,510 ✭✭✭✭
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
Are you casting with a rhythm? The temperature of the mold blocks could be fluctuating and allowing smaller, then larger bullets. Are they filling out completely? Don't weigh between casts, just get the blocks warm enough then cast in a regular rhythm.
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