New mold

[bronko220002]

I just received my new .501" 440 gr Lee mold. I might cast some tomorrow and see how they fit my bores. I should be able to push that bullet between 1500 and 1600 fps.
I will try them lubed and paper patched/sized to see which are more accurate.

 

[idahoron]

I just received my new .501" 440 gr Lee mold. I might cast some tomorrow and see how they fit my bores. I should be able to push that bullet between 1500 and 1600 fps.
I will try them lubed and paper patched/sized to see which are more accurate.

With pure lead they will be 458 to 460 grains. This is a two hole mould so the bullets will not weigh the same. I keep the 458 for my self and sell the 460's to friends.
I have seen a lot of these shot. The best results were at 1300 to 1350 fps. Use a .620 sized over powder wad with a hint of lube melted into the wad. Just a hint.

 

[bronko220002]

Thanks Ron. I didn't know they were different weights! That's odd. I'll have to see what my mold casts.
I don't know when I'll get to casting them. Maybe I'll take my stuff down south.

 

[idahoron]

Thanks Ron. I didn't know they were different weights! That's odd. I'll have to see what my mold casts.
I don't know when I'll get to casting them. Maybe I'll take my stuff down south.

I think they are supposed to be the same but all of these I have (3) all throw different.

 

[Ka'imiloa]

You two likely know this, but if you cast with lead alloy, the bullet will be a bit larger D. since pure lead shrinks the most after cooling. Hardness of the alloy bullet also changes, so test hardness after 2 weeks or more.
If anybody out there knows how to size a self-created mold, let's say 45 or 50 cal., so it throws a bullet or ball of "X" diameter after shrinkage, I'd sure like to know that -- both for pure lead and, say, 1:16 alloy. Oh please, please -- is there a chart about this saved from the workshop wall of some old mold-maker!?
Thanks and aloha, Ka'imiloa

 

[idahoron]

You two likely know this, but if you cast with lead alloy, the bullet will be a bit larger D. since pure lead shrinks the most after cooling. Hardness of the alloy bullet also changes, so test hardness after 2 weeks or more.
If anybody out there knows how to size a self-created mold, let's say 45 or 50 cal., so it throws a bullet or ball of "X" diameter after shrinkage, I'd sure like to know that -- both for pure lead and, say, 1:16 alloy. Oh please, please -- is there a chart about this saved from the workshop wall of some old mold-maker!?
Thanks and aloha, Ka'imiloa

I've been casting that bullet since 2008. I'm fully aware of casting with this mould and many others.

 

[bronko220002]

You two likely know this, but if you cast with lead alloy, the bullet will be a bit larger D. since pure lead shrinks the most after cooling. Hardness of the alloy bullet also changes, so test hardness after 2 weeks or more.
If anybody out there knows how to size a self-created mold, let's say 45 or 50 cal., so it throws a bullet or ball of "X" diameter after shrinkage, I'd sure like to know that -- both for pure lead and, say, 1:16 alloy. Oh please, please -- is there a chart about this saved from the workshop wall of some old mold-maker!?
Thanks and aloha, Ka'imiloa

That's why Tom at Accurate molds asks what you will be casting with so he can determine what size cavity(s) to put into the mold block.