Author Topic: 458-400-M...  (Read 947 times)

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Offline Rob45

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458-400-M...
« on: March 18, 2004, 05:11:57 PM »
Hi Veral,

I got my 458 (460)-400-M I ordered. Wow, that was fast (under 2 weeks!). I have a couple questions. I cast a few bullets and they feed perfectly in dummy rounds, look great and are the proper size (and ROUND:) It was also nice being able to just push the sprue plate open with gloved hands instead of using a knocking stick. I had two problems. The first is that almost every bullet had to be defected because they bang into each other or the mould when dropping them from the mould. Since the mould is so tight it jerks open pretty fast and the bullets are gone and on their way out. If the mould will loosen up I'm sure that will resolve itself. About how long will it take for it to loosen up a bit? I didn't lube it as per your instructions on casting a few before lubing the pins. Also, I got some pin holes in the bases. I normally wash my iron moulds with hot soapy water before casting because I oil them when I put them away. I didn't clean this one first...not sure if that has anything to do with it or not. I'm sure proper technique will resolve these. I did let sprue flow over the sprue plate well before turning off the flow. I like this mould :-D  Thanks

Offline Rob45

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458-400-M...
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2004, 02:21:20 PM »
Problems are solved. I cast several bullets this afternoon after washing the mould really well with hot soapy water. I lubed the pins and sprue plate with the LBT Mould lube. Mould opens nice and easy now bullets drop out beautifully. I moved the mould rest up so the sprue plate was about a half inch below the spout (like it says in the instructions), turned the pour rate down so it just made a steady flow and the bases are coming out real nice. I didn't water quench them (haven't been quenching my others either). My load only runs 1700 fps and the RCBS bullet didn't lead the boar and shot MOA. The only problem I'm having now really isn't a problem. The mould cools so easy it's hard to keep the mould hot enough to cast and yet not go so fast as to tear the bullet bases. Been playing with alloy temp trying to lower temperature so I can cast faster and keep the mould hot and have the sprues harden faster. Anyhow, I have some very nice bullets cast for my 45-70 now :)  

rob

Offline Veral

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458-400-M...
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2004, 07:36:37 PM »
Washing the mold certainly didn't hurt it in any way, but I don't reccomend it, and find it a waste of time.   I believe your problem was from not applying mold lube to begin with as the instructions say to do.  But whatever.  You have it working and are happy, so I've done my job!
Veral Smith