Does Lyman RB molds leave a sprue when poured

hunter64 · February 23, 2008, 10:52 PM

I have the Lee RB mold for my revolvers and it leaves a flat where the sprue is cut, is a lyman mold better?

Hawg Haggen · February 23, 2008, 11:01 PM

They all do that. Balls without a sprue are swaged.

Pahoo · February 24, 2008, 11:48 AM

Hawg Haggen +1

Round balls are very forgiving and the sprue area will not pose any problems. I always load my balls sprue up. Might suggest you weigh them to insure consistancy. Be Safe !!!

Jbar4Ranch · February 24, 2008, 12:11 PM

I've found that Lee moulds leave a less pronounced sprue than Lyman, but all cast balls will have a sprue. I've also found that positioning of the sprue when loading doesn't have a very dramatic effect on accuracy. Put fifty or so in a rotary tumbler for 20-30 minutes and the remains of the sprue will be virtually undetectable. Of course, they look like miniature lead golf balls when you're done, but, once again, I don't see any adverse effect on accuracy.

ED21 · February 24, 2008, 03:07 PM

If you can't live with the sprue get yourself a cast iron skillet or dutch oven. Put enough balls in to cover no more than half the bottom. Place in the bed of your truck or your trunk and drive around for a week or so. The sprue should be gone or greatly reduced. If the sprue is not gone to your liking, cut more of it off with side cutters before putting in the pan. For match shooting or where accuracy counts, weigh the balls before using.

**James K** · February 24, 2008, 03:34 PM

All I ever do is cut the sprue with the regular sprue cutter on the mold then run a piece of rough sandpaper across the ball to remove the little nub remaining. Seems to work OK.

Jim

February 23, 2008, 10:52 PM	#1
hunter64 Member Join Date: June 5, 2007 Posts: 53	Does Lyman RB molds leave a sprue when poured I have the Lee RB mold for my revolvers and it leaves a flat where the sprue is cut, is a lyman mold better?

February 23, 2008, 11:01 PM	#2
Hawg Haggen Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 10,245	They all do that. Balls without a sprue are swaged. __________________ http://blackpowdertimes.com/index.php

February 24, 2008, 12:11 PM	#4
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,450	I've found that Lee moulds leave a less pronounced sprue than Lyman, but all cast balls will have a sprue. I've also found that positioning of the sprue when loading doesn't have a very dramatic effect on accuracy. Put fifty or so in a rotary tumbler for 20-30 minutes and the remains of the sprue will be virtually undetectable. Of course, they look like miniature lead golf balls when you're done, but, once again, I don't see any adverse effect on accuracy. __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

February 24, 2008, 03:34 PM	#6
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,439	All I ever do is cut the sprue with the regular sprue cutter on the mold then run a piece of rough sandpaper across the ball to remove the little nub remaining. Seems to work OK. Jim __________________ Jim K

February 24, 2008, 11:48 AM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 4,407	Hawg Haggen +1 Round balls are very forgiving and the sprue area will not pose any problems. I always load my balls sprue up. Might suggest you weigh them to insure consistancy. Be Safe !!!

February 24, 2008, 03:07 PM	#5
ED21 Member Join Date: June 5, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 29	If you can't live with the sprue get yourself a cast iron skillet or dutch oven. Put enough balls in to cover no more than half the bottom. Place in the bed of your truck or your trunk and drive around for a week or so. The sprue should be gone or greatly reduced. If the sprue is not gone to your liking, cut more of it off with side cutters before putting in the pan. For match shooting or where accuracy counts, weigh the balls before using.