Casting problem figured out, I think??

[Cheyenne Ranger]

I was casting some 158 gr .38 Sp RNFP bullets for my pards.  They kept coming out wrinkled which usually means molds that are too cold or oil contamination or both.  This was happening with two sets of molds, both for the same style of bullet

So I scrubbed them down real well with a degreaser and just used one.  Casted as hot and fast as I could.  After 20 casts I still had wrinkles!  

So once again clean both and this time gave them a quick shot of Midway's Mold Release; looks like flat black paint.  Let them dry overnight.

Now both are working perfectly.  Sharp edges, no wrinkles, an all around good example of what a cast bullet should be.

Not sure WHY the mold release got rid of the wrinkles but it did and that's good enough for me right now.  I cased 28# worth of them using both molds and finally ran the pot dry.  Couldn't keep it filled and up to pouring temperature to keep pace with the casting.

Like is back to good.... :grin:

ÇR

[howdy doody]

Yeah, but. I tried the spray on stuff from Midway too. I had fill problems on the big lube groove molds I use for my black powder molds. I went back to smoking them with a match and that works well. Then I got a brainstorm and I am always willing to tinker. I cleaned a mold really well with brake clean and then I sprayed it with my wife's ( Heidi Doody ) Pam cooking spray. Right off the gitgo I noticed that I mearly had to open my 6 gang mold and the boolits were dropping right out. Hmmmm.
I can't figure why mold release or smoke would have a thing to do with wrinkles though. That seems to be a heat related problem, although I experienced it once on rifle bullets (500gr) because I had too little flow from my bottom pour pot. I opened the valve and the bullets filled out.
Ya know there must be a hundred ways of doing things, and that is what I love about casting. Maybe that is why I like BP shooting too, since there must be a thousand ways/methods of doing everything from loading to cleaning with BP.  :grin:

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Not sure why--just glad it's working  :grin:

I'm glad that all my "experiments" haven't resulted in a hole 3x6x6 feet deep with me in it.

Now if I can get all the ammo loaded from this week-end's shoot I'll be happy.

cr

[Goatlips]

Hay Howdy,

thanks for the tip.  Pam must be silicone or something non-greasy and lots cheaper than the Midway spray.  Maybe I'll try the Franklin spray on the skillet for blackened fish...

Goatlips

[howdy doody]

Whoa there Goatlips, don't do that  :lol:  I liken that spray from Midway to dark gray primer I can get at the auto parts store. Looks the same, smells the same, has a different label.
That goes back to what I was saying about the Kaboom stuff. Put a top shooters face on the stuff and double the price and watch the shelves empty.
BTW, my wife got me some of that and I am gonna try it out tomorrow.  :-)