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Author Topic: Did I do something wrong  (Read 547 times)

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Offline Doc Contender

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Did I do something wrong
« on: August 16, 2005, 03:54:10 PM »
Cast my first bullets today. Used the rcbs 45-405-fn mold. Wheel weights for lead. Bullets look good but the diameters measured .462.  I expected the diameter to be smaller than this. Weight of the bullets over 420 grains. I expected closer to 405 grains. Did I do something wrong or will the sizer die correct these problems?

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Offline Leftoverdj

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Did I do something wrong
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2005, 07:09:44 PM »
Doc, a lot of Marlin and NEF shooters would love to have your problem. Those barrels tend to run loose.  Your bullets should size to .459 easily enough. Bullets often run heavier than nominal with WW. My guess is that the nominal weight is for linotype.

You should be able to get your as-cast diameter down a thou or two by using half WW/half lead and running your alloy and mould a bit hotter. The added lead reduced the proportion of antimony, and the hotter alloy has a bit more shrinkage when it cools.

The extra weight won't matter a bit as long as you stay a grain or  two under max loads. You'll probably want to do that anyway for reasons of recoil and accuracy.

More details on what you are shooting and what you want to do would let us help you more. There are a lot of variables in cast bullet shooting and more for the .45-70 than most calibers.
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Offline Lloyd Smale

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Did I do something wrong
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2005, 11:02:35 PM »
well within the limits of what a sizer die will take care of.
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Offline KSR

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Did I do something wrong
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2005, 03:40:52 AM »
You might not be getting the mold completely closed. Can you see a tiny
line of light between the mold halves if you hold it up to a light? There
might be some small splashes of lead on the mold faces keeping them
from closing completely.
 You also might just have a slightly oversized mold. If so it should not
be a problem for you and if it is I am sure someone else would buy it
from you. (I know I would) LOL
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Offline Longcruise

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Did I do something wrong
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2005, 06:41:03 AM »
Wheel weights will throw a larger bullet than lead.  You could also try a 1/20 tin lead mix or even a 1/30 or 1/40.  Mostly depends on what kinda loads you will be shooting.  If BP or BP level velocities, the lead tin is fine.  For a little faster, stick to the wheel weights.  If no gas check you arent going to go much over bp velocities anyway.

I think you have a good versatile mold there! :grin:
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