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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Effect of casting 'wings' on bullets.
- Thread starter steve1147
- Start date
Jim Watson
New member
I'd get on the castboolits board.
I bet somebody there will tell you how to fix your old moulds to eliminate the fins.
I bet somebody there will tell you how to fix your old moulds to eliminate the fins.
jaguarxk120
New member
From what you have said, a cleaning of the alignment pins is in order.
Your mould has become too hot. (What's your lead Temp?)Wings....
... 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.
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.
I have one mold so worn out that I had to convert it to make .440 RB fishing weights.
chris in va
New member
I get find if the mold doesn't close all the way due to buildup on the pins.
maillemaker
New member
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
Steve