Author Topic: New Caster Question (Read 549 times)

Dana C · « **on:** December 01, 2005, 04:00:43 AM »

I am new to casting. I have all the equipment, molds etc. I cast a bunch of 485 gr. postell bullets for my 45-90. I used calipers on the finished product and came up with .457, .458 & .459. In other words different sizes.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks for your help.

HL · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2005, 08:37:59 AM »

As the mould heats up, bullet diameter increases. This is why you want to cast at a consistent temperature and rate.

Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. If you size the bullets, it most likely won't matter, as long as they all end up the same diameter.

Kenneth L. Walters · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2005, 05:54:58 PM »

I seriously doubt that you did anything wrong.

I've measured bullet diameters on lots of bullets. What you are seeing is normal variability. Partially it is the nature of the bullet alloy. Partially it is the fact that you are looking for VERY small differences. Partially it is just statistical variability.

This is ABSOLUTELY nothing to worry about!

Fireball 57 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2005, 10:38:22 AM »

I'm far from being an expert and certainly not a know-it-all. It's been my experience, that a bottom feed casting pot will give me varying bullet diameters. Temperature of the molds, percent of antimony in the mix, and the mood of my wife (moonphase, I guess) seem to affect the results. Hope this helps and don't tell my wife. She can make Hell pay! :oops:

JPH45 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2005, 01:40:36 PM »

Let's see, .457, .458 and .459 ...... Thats +/- .001" That's not bad, that's outstanding! Bet you can't find any fliers you can absolutely attribute to this amount of difference.

Dana C · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2005, 06:22:23 PM »

Geez, I sure am glad that I don't have a wife. My bullet sizing is enough of a problem as is.
Thanks for your feed back guys.
Dana