The Art of Casting Hollowpoints.

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USSR

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Almost all the casting I do now days involves .38 and .45 caliber hollowpoints. I think I pretty much have it down, but the proof is if they expand and expand without fracturing. To insure this, I use a high tin, low antimony alloy. Check these out at from left to right: 224gr MP 454-423 fired from a Colt Gold Cup at 800fps (SWAG), retained weight of 219gr; 165gr pentapoint MP 359-640 fired from a 2.5" S&W 19-3 at 840fps, retained weight of 163gr; and 161gr hollowpoint MP 359-640 fired from a 2.5" S&W 19-3 at 945fps, retained weight of 159gr. I think we have a winner with this lead/tin/antimony alloy of 96.5/3.0/0.5 for sub-1,000fps handgun loads.

Don
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Hollowpoint Testing.jpg
 
Man, that's very, very nice work sir. I have been considering trying to cast HP, but the molds are a wee bit expensive. Your work is excellent.
 
Not only is that impressive (to say the least), but you were kind enough to share the details.

Thank you.

I have been casually casting RN & Wad Cutters for 45 & 38.

This sure gives me another itch that needs scratching.

Sometimes I wish I didn't read this Forum! LOL
 
Very nice indeed. One thing about getting them to work like they are supposed to is the additional work put into developing the alloy for them to do so with.

There are some who think that HP's are a waste of time and that they are more or less a incidental thing to have them open up properly. However with the proper alloy and loaded to the proper velocity, they can be just as reliable as the jacketed version.

I have been considering trying to cast HP, but the molds are a wee bit expensive.

To be honest, for the quality of machining, and the variety of what you usually get with regards to pins, it is actually pretty reasonable. Figure your getting basically and sometimes a true custom made to order mold, with the ability to cast upwards depending on pins offered, 3-5 different type bullets from the same mold. That is what makes the MP or NOE versions so popular with me. Sometimes wished they weren't so nice...:D

I have been casually casting RN & Wad Cutters for 45 & 38.

This sure gives me another itch that needs scratching.

Sometimes I wish I didn't read this Forum! LOL

I hear you on finding these type post. I have probably spent enough on molds in the past couple of years that I could have done a LOT of regular shooting. However, no matter who gets in office, or what they ban, I will have the ability to pour bullets of my choice for just about everything I shoot. No more can't find bullets for me anymore or paying jacked up cost for them when I do.

The best advice I can offer is to check out the Group Buy section over at Castboolits. Usually there are one or two mold makers offering something at any given time. Or check out NOE to see what he might have in stock or could be ordered. Or if you have a Lyman or Lee mold you like check into Hollow Point Bullet Mold Service. Eric does wonders converting some standard molds into HP versions.

Just figure out which bullet type you shoot the most of, and pick a 2 cavity mold to get started with. While your getting things figured out with it, you can squirrel away a little here and there for a 4 cavity or even another one or two in the two cavity versions.
 
I've got NOE hollow point molds for both .38 and .45. I have a converted Lee for 10mm. As soon as I can get to the range and test them I'll have to post some pics. I'm using 50/50 COWW/Pure with 1% added tin.
 
Thanks for the information on the lead alloy.

I have an MP-359-125 HP mold that I had trouble getting to fill out until I raised the heat of the lead beyond what works for me in cast iron molds but I am sure the bullets are not expanding at the velocities that I am using.

Another project to add to the list.:)
 
I have an MP-359-125 HP mold that I had trouble getting to fill out until I raised the heat of the lead beyond what works for me in cast iron molds

One thing about the MP brass molds is they DO need to be run a bit hotter than most other type molds. Up until I got one I had never been over about 700 degrees with my alloy temp. Having the PID controller has been an awesome addition to things as once I got it up and running, I was able to set the temp up in 10'ish degree increments until the molds started to pour correctly.

Those MP's require me to set my temp at around 725 - 750 degrees depending on the diameters of the bullets. The smaller the warmer to keep the pins hot while pouring. Not only that, you need to pour and inspect later. The pins cool quicker than you might thin and once they do your not going to get a good fill out.

Might just try the adding a little more heat first and see how that works, then blend up the new alloy. Once you get it figured out, then your in real trouble. That is how I managed to go from two MP molds to up over almost two dozen. One other thing, don't forget to heat cycle them too. Set them up on your hot plate and bring them up to around 350 degrees or so and then let them cool. This gives them a little patina which also helps out greatly.

Hope that helps.
 
Those MP's require me to set my temp at around 725 - 750 degrees depending on the diameters of the bullets. ... The pins cool quicker than you might thin and once they do your not going to get a good fill out.

Thanks for the info.

The HP pins cooling quicker makes sense for the need for higher lead temperature.
 
Both MP and NOE moulds are excellent pieces of Kit. They are some of the best moulds ever made by anyone.

I had problems at first getting my HPs to fill out right. One solution is to add some tin, the other is to just heat the pins a little with a small butane torch.

I have been a machinist /toolmaker for 35 years and I couldn't make moulds like these if my life depended on it. They are that good !!!

They are as close to jewelry as you can get, and well worth the few extra $ you have to pay for them. In most cases the first pours will result in perfect boolits, and they run very smoothly. These tools are an excellent investment for anyone who shoots a lot. I have made thousands of boolits with mine.

Randy
 
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