dagger dog
Member
Was casting bullets in .45 Colt, with a Lee 452 255 RNFP, using Lyman #2 alloy mix of 9#'s wheel weights - 1# 50/50 solder.
Specs on bullet diameter and weight from Lee for this mold: 0.452" , 255grs.. They didn't specify the alloy mix which I know can affect final diameter and weight, but this mold dropped 0.454" and 267gr. average of 100.
The only other deviation from the Lee instructions was I water quenched the bullets directly from the mold, reading from sources that this may yeild a tad harder bullet.
The bullets drop out perfect in shape and quality and the over size was not a problem as they were sized to 0.452", (but the extra 12 grs in weight plays havoc with my load data and confidence level with this new caliber and revolver). The loadings I plan to use are relativley mild doses of Unique and are not aproaching any where near max. for my Ruger Blackhawk.
Questions to all that have had experiance with Lee aluminum molds, is this a normal situation with these aluminum molds? Could the problem be with my mix, and by adding a little more tin do you think the weight problem could be rectified.
The only other casting I have done has been with .357 and .224 caliber Lyman steel molds with the same alloy mix,with water quench and both bullets drop to + - 0.50 gr.
Specs on bullet diameter and weight from Lee for this mold: 0.452" , 255grs.. They didn't specify the alloy mix which I know can affect final diameter and weight, but this mold dropped 0.454" and 267gr. average of 100.
The only other deviation from the Lee instructions was I water quenched the bullets directly from the mold, reading from sources that this may yeild a tad harder bullet.
The bullets drop out perfect in shape and quality and the over size was not a problem as they were sized to 0.452", (but the extra 12 grs in weight plays havoc with my load data and confidence level with this new caliber and revolver). The loadings I plan to use are relativley mild doses of Unique and are not aproaching any where near max. for my Ruger Blackhawk.
Questions to all that have had experiance with Lee aluminum molds, is this a normal situation with these aluminum molds? Could the problem be with my mix, and by adding a little more tin do you think the weight problem could be rectified.
The only other casting I have done has been with .357 and .224 caliber Lyman steel molds with the same alloy mix,with water quench and both bullets drop to + - 0.50 gr.