Effect of casting 'wings' on bullets.

steve1147 · December 30, 2014, 05:03 PM

I guess my molds are getting old (they've cast thousands...), and I'm starting to get larger and larger casting marks on my bullets. Most just have a noticeable seam, some have very small extrusions like wings, most come off during lubing, how much effect does this abnormality have on accuracy, etc. at short range (10-25 yards) with target loads for .45acp and 38 special?

Jimro · December 30, 2014, 05:18 PM

At pistol velocities at those ranges you would have to be a world class shot to notice a degredation in accuracy because of that slight of a casting imbalance.

Jimro

steve1147 · December 30, 2014, 06:08 PM

I thought, but NO, I'm barely Neighborhood class! I am however, better than most of them!

Jim Watson · December 30, 2014, 06:13 PM

I'd get on the castboolits board.
I bet somebody there will tell you how to fix your old moulds to eliminate the fins.

jaguarxk120 · December 30, 2014, 06:19 PM

From what you have said, a cleaning of the alignment pins is in order.

mehavey · December 30, 2014, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Wings....

Your mould has become too hot. (What's your lead Temp?)
... and are you contact pouring (dipper/bottom spout in hard
contact with the mould , or "pour" pouring (no contact) ?

Cast at a slightly lower temp (700-750 here) and/or non-contact
pour to reduce the lead's head pressure.

Small "hairs" don't matter. Solid "wings" van be different.

hartcreek · December 30, 2014, 09:03 PM

If you had posted photos maybe we could tell you. I have some molds that have cast many thousands and I have har to work on the allignment pins. file burs, drill out the sprue mount hols and use bolts to hold the sprue plates on, straighten the sprue plates and even draw file the mold flat so the sprue plate would make propper contact.

I have one mold so worn out that I had to convert it to make .440 RB fishing weights.

chris in va · January 2, 2015, 02:44 AM

I get find if the mold doesn't close all the way due to buildup on the pins.

maillemaker · January 6, 2015, 01:24 PM

Fins are often caused by incomplete closure of the mold. A careful cleaning is in order. Pay close attention to the faces of the mold blocks - look for a small deposit of lead that is keeping the faces from touching. Carefully use a razor blade to scrape it free. Do not "dig" at the face to remove it - scrape with the edge of the razor sliding freely along the block in the direction of the air vent lines.

Steve

GP100man · January 6, 2015, 07:49 PM

Even a small ding on the outer edges can hold 1 side open.

Take em off the handles & inspect for anything anywhere on the face .

Are the line up pin holes peened a little ??

Pics ??

December 30, 2014, 05:03 PM	#1
steve1147 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Valles Mines, Missouri Posts: 142	Effect of casting 'wings' on bullets. I guess my molds are getting old (they've cast thousands...), and I'm starting to get larger and larger casting marks on my bullets. Most just have a noticeable seam, some have very small extrusions like wings, most come off during lubing, how much effect does this abnormality have on accuracy, etc. at short range (10-25 yards) with target loads for .45acp and 38 special? __________________ Circa 1964: Rocky to Bullwinkle: "But that trick never works!" But Bullwinkle tries it anyway...again and again

December 30, 2014, 05:18 PM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	At pistol velocities at those ranges you would have to be a world class shot to notice a degredation in accuracy because of that slight of a casting imbalance. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

December 30, 2014, 06:08 PM	#3
steve1147 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Valles Mines, Missouri Posts: 142	I thought, but NO, I'm barely Neighborhood class! I am however, better than most of them! __________________ Circa 1964: Rocky to Bullwinkle: "But that trick never works!" But Bullwinkle tries it anyway...again and again

January 6, 2015, 07:49 PM	#10
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	Even a small ding on the outer edges can hold 1 side open. Take em off the handles & inspect for anything anywhere on the face . Are the line up pin holes peened a little ?? Pics ?? __________________ GP100man

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December 30, 2014, 06:13 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,534	I'd get on the castboolits board. I bet somebody there will tell you how to fix your old moulds to eliminate the fins.

December 30, 2014, 06:19 PM	#5
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	From what you have said, a cleaning of the alignment pins is in order.

December 30, 2014, 09:03 PM	#7
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	If you had posted photos maybe we could tell you. I have some molds that have cast many thousands and I have har to work on the allignment pins. file burs, drill out the sprue mount hols and use bolts to hold the sprue plates on, straighten the sprue plates and even draw file the mold flat so the sprue plate would make propper contact. I have one mold so worn out that I had to convert it to make .440 RB fishing weights.

January 2, 2015, 02:44 AM	#8
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I get find if the mold doesn't close all the way due to buildup on the pins.

January 6, 2015, 01:24 PM	#9
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	Fins are often caused by incomplete closure of the mold. A careful cleaning is in order. Pay close attention to the faces of the mold blocks - look for a small deposit of lead that is keeping the faces from touching. Carefully use a razor blade to scrape it free. Do not "dig" at the face to remove it - scrape with the edge of the razor sliding freely along the block in the direction of the air vent lines. Steve