Bullet Sizing

[doc623]

As has been suggested by some here, I did a coser inspection of my casting and equipment.
I found that I could see light thru the bottom of the mold - which would be the top of the bullet/ball.
The mold is a Lee product that has Al blocks.
I called Lee and was told to send the mold in for inspection/repair/replacement.
The mold is being sent off today.
Thanks and I'll try to give an update when I get the mold back.

 

[Dphar]

In the black powder gun, your choice of alloy is prime. Your alloy should be only tin/lead. Or, pure lead. If you begin with 1/16 ratio of tin to lead and your accuracy isnt what you want, then go to 1/20, and so on. Wheel weights have no place in a black powder gun.

The lighter your powder load, the softer your bullets need to be. We have one rifle that does not achieve accuracy until 1/40 alloy is used. Once your powder ignites and your bullet obiturates to fill the lands and grooves, or moulds to your smoothbore barrel, then you have effectively "sized" your "conical" perfectly.

Also, have you slugged your barrel? What does it actually measure? Just because it is assumed to be .457, doesnt mean it is. Perhaps it is .461. If your alloy is proper, it doesnt matter, because the bullet will bump up and it will be .461 when it comes out the end of the barrel.

This is dependent on if its a ML or a breech loader. Some ML designs may not work at 1:16.
Breechloaders are a different proposition.

Dan

 

[Dphar]

You can tie a "wad" on the end of a wire and push it into your barrel about 2". That forms a plug, and the wire should be stout enough so that you can pull this out.

Melt some Cerrosafe and pour in on top of the plug. It will cool and solidify. You can then pull it back out and mike it for an exact dimension of your barrel.

I prefer pure lead in my rifles, but have used some cast 20/1's with decent accuracy. I am using these on 500 gr long range boolits.

Cerrosafe is not reliable for giving accurate readings. it will be undersize for an hour or so and may be over sized after that.
Lead slug is more reliable.
Furthermore in MLs if it loads OK and its not too loose bore size is not important. If the bore is tight it will be difficult to load. If far too loose then you need a oversize bullet mould. Myself I would shoot a round ball.
Phobia about bore sizes is relevant in the smokeless powder world. It is not so important with MLs or breech loaders shooting soft lead bullets and blackpowder.

Dan