zxcvbob
Member
I cast some 120 grain .356 bullets a few weeks ago with a new mold, and they are slightly wrinkled. I scrubbed the mold again, even though I had previously degreased it, and I also stirred a scrap of tin (about 2 ounces, I don't know the alloy but it rang like a bell when struck with a hammer) into the lead pot. I cast about 500 bullets last night and they are perfect. Sharp edges and no wrinkles. By changing 2 variables at once, I'll never know which one actually fixed the problem.
Anyway, are the previously-cast wrinkled bullets good enough for plinking and for load development? I already threw back all of them that did not have perfectly filled-out bases, I think these are just cosmetic defects. I know I can just toss them back in the melter, but I'm curious. Will probably resize them and use 'em in 9mm. It's a little over 100 bullets that I'm talking about.
The good bullets from last night are going to be for target shooting in a .38 Special if they are accurate (the mold says .356, but they actually drop at .358") and I haven't worked up a load yet.
Anyway, are the previously-cast wrinkled bullets good enough for plinking and for load development? I already threw back all of them that did not have perfectly filled-out bases, I think these are just cosmetic defects. I know I can just toss them back in the melter, but I'm curious. Will probably resize them and use 'em in 9mm. It's a little over 100 bullets that I'm talking about.
The good bullets from last night are going to be for target shooting in a .38 Special if they are accurate (the mold says .356, but they actually drop at .358") and I haven't worked up a load yet.