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December 30, 2014, 05:03 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: December 5, 2009
Location: Valles Mines, Missouri
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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?
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December 30, 2014, 05:18 PM | #2 |
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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
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December 30, 2014, 06:08 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: December 5, 2009
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I thought, but NO, I'm barely Neighborhood class! I am however, better than most of them!
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December 30, 2014, 06:13 PM | #4 |
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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 |
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From what you have said, a cleaning of the alignment pins is in order.
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December 30, 2014, 09:02 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
... 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. |
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December 30, 2014, 09:03 PM | #7 |
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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 |
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Location: Louisville KY
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I get find if the mold doesn't close all the way due to buildup on the pins.
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January 6, 2015, 01:24 PM | #9 |
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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 |
January 6, 2015, 07:49 PM | #10 |
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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 ??
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