Go easy on me; I haven't cast in ~7 years

[Adam in WI]

I got fed up trying to find bullets of the right size or hardness for my .45 Blackhawk, so I ordered a 280 grain brass mould from NOE. Tonight I tried it out on about 50 bullets and this is how they turned out. I smoked the mould and pre heated it. Alloy is straight wheel weights air cooled. Some of them have a sort of galvanized look around the noses. They're not frosty like overheated lead. The majority filled out good, and the few that I checked were within 1.2 grains weight.

 

[joshb]

Nicely done!

 

[Adam in WI]

Thank you! Hoping for some constructive criticism, but compliments are always welcome lol

 

[joshb]

Thank you! Hoping for some constructive criticism, but compliments are always welcome lol

I used to cast my own sinkers. I can help with that! Never did bullets.

 

[Adam in WI]

Well, they're pretty closely related. I'm betting these will sink if given the opportunity.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I think they look good

 

[Adam in WI]

Thanks Dusty. You wanna talk about excited? I bet y'all had no idea the old Lyman 45 lubri-sizer was a hand tool. No joke; I couldn't wait so I held the sizer in one hand and run the lever with the other. Ain't even mounted to the bench yet! I have no idea what kind of lube is even in the thing. I bought it well used from a good member here. I just know it's soft and gooey, and didn't need a heater to fill the groove.

 

[spike-55]

nice job!!!
stan

 

[Lone Hunter]

Look pretty darn good to me. I used to like to cast but that was a long time ago. Made plenty of sinkers too.

 

[Adam in WI]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. Hopefully it won't be too long before I can go make sure the holes they make are round. I hope they can take more H110 or 2400 than I can!

 

[Intheshop]

They look the business.

One thing I'll say in encouragement is,despite what folks want to believe..... the notion you can't see the difference working up a handgun load is just being lazy. And that carries over to cast rifle shooting as well.

Don't know if it's luck,certainly seems that way sometimes but there can be some serious accuracy in handguns just waiting to be unlocked. Good luck with your project.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Nice sharp edges. I finally found an analog cooking thermometer to put in my pot I hope to help solve some of my fill out troubles.

 

[WayneShaw]

I never smoke a mold. If it is completely clean and you learn the timing of pouring/cooling and dump for that mold, the bullets should come out fine. Regardless, those look plenty fine to me. Now, get a push through sizing die and powder coat those things and forget the lube.

 

[bobaloo22]

Very Nice!!

 

[SSL]

Thanks Dusty. You wanna talk about excited? I bet y'all had no idea the old Lyman 45 lubri-sizer was a hand tool. No joke; I couldn't wait so I held the sizer in one hand and run the lever with the other. Ain't even mounted to the bench yet! I have no idea what kind of lube is even in the thing. I bought it well used from a good member here. I just know it's soft and gooey, and didn't need a heater to fill the groove. View attachment 1409052

There might be the secret...lube soft enough to actually LUBE! Far too many lubes, especially commercial cast, are a hard wax that just never coats the bore. Check the crown of your revolver barrel after a few shots. If you see a star-shaped spray of lube, it is probably doing its job. Looking good!

 

[Adam in WI]

Now, get a push through sizing die and powder coat those things and forget the lube.

Maybe someday I'll try it, but this Lyman sizer was honestly too good of a deal to pass up. I have about $70 into it if you include the new die and top punch. Plus, it threatens my masculinity filling my manly big bore revolver with rounds that look like lipstick...

 

[gary0529]

Adam, no criticism as they look good! I have cast for the past 20 years and those look as good as any I can cast.
Now, if you are looking for a site that is dedicated to LEAD try either Cast Bullet Association and/or Cast Boolits Forum. Plenty of good solid information related solely to lead projectiles- nice guys and very helpful- a lot like here.

Gary

 

[Alex Wheeler]

When I was casting with wheel weights the only way I could get them to fill out was to run the mold hotter than normal. They looked just like yours, a little frosted. I could not find a problem with that and they shot well. Very well actually. I think it is because theres probably some zinc in the alloy. If you buy casting alloy thats clean you can get those nice shiny bullets. But the free stuff worked just fine for me. Looking good.

If your having trouble finding bullets in the size you want, check out montana bullet works. I have had good luck with his stuff and he casts to almost any size you could want.

 

[ebb]

When i cast my first bunch they looked terrible. Someone suggested adding tin or pewter to get them to fill out the mold better. You could try some tin, but if mine looked as good as yours I weould have never bothered with the tin.

 

[Adam in WI]

One thing that's been bugging me, and maybe some of you folks can shed some light on... If anyone is familiar with the BHN x 1440 formula for calculating a bullet's yield strength in pounds per square inch. There are some that claim you need to stay below that pressure to avoid deformation and leading. While others claim you need to exceed that pressure to ensure proper sealing - to avoid leading... I understand size is key, I was just wondering if anyone experimented with this "rule".


Edit: found a number of threads on cast boolits saying it's mostly meaningless...