Conical casting weights

[gmww]

I can't help but notice that my Lee Conical molds tend to cast a greater diviation than say my T/C, Lyman molds in conicals. I just cast a bunch of .45 pistol bullets in my Lee mold which varied in weight by 5 grns.

Switching molds using the same lead, temp. to my .45 t/c maxi-ball mold I got only a 3 grns difference. It would have been 2 grns. but I had one the was odd.

Now with the round ball mold (Lee) I only get a 2 grns. difference. Anyone else finding this to be true.

 

[jtmattison]

I never had a problem with my Lee molds.
My roundballs all cast exactly the way they should.
My Minnie Ball mold however casts 10 grains heavier than advertised.
My REAL bullets all cast perfectly.
I also have a Lee 45 Long Colt mold that casts perfect 300 grain bullets.

HD

 

[gmww]

I like the Lee RB's mold in .440. I'm getting 177 and 178 grns. cast in the .440. It's just when I get to the conicals. At first I thought it was the lead temp. so I bought the Lee lead pot and stopped using my camp stove to get a more regulated temp.

It's got me baffled. :hmm:

 

[BS]

Could be the sprue size, the Lee might have a smaller hole. :hmm:

 

[gmww]

Do you think it would help to enlarge the hole on the mold? Are you suggesting that the lead might be cooling because it's taking a little longer to get down into the mold because of the small hole? Never considered that.

The only thing is it's happening to all my conical Lee molds. Seems Hunting Dawg isn't having any problem. :hmm:

 

[BS]

Are you a "dribbler" or a "packer"?

If you are just dribbling the lead in, try holding the mold aginst the spout [packing].....the balls or bullets will be maxium size.....works with well vented molds. [this will let you know if the sprue plate is too cold, the lead will harden in the spout] when hot it works just fine. :grin:

Biggest variation is in keeping the balls too soon. :nono:

 

[gmww]

I'll have to try that. How do I know when its completely full? I usually allow a dime sized puddle over the hole when I dribble. :hmm:

 

[jtmattison]

I'll have to try that. How do I know when its completely full? I usually allow a dime sized puddle over the hole when I dribble. :hmm:

If the lead puddles on top of the mold or runs over then it is full. Unless of course the mold is too cold then it may not fill completely.
I pre-heat my mold on an electric hot plate.
I don't think it can be too hot. If the balls come out frosted it's supposedly too hot but they are still very consistent.

HD

 

[BS]

I'll have to try that. How do I know when its completely full? I usually allow a dime sized puddle over the hole when I dribble. :hmm:

I count..........after you do a few, you will learn "how Long"

 

[rebel727]

I had to open up the sprue hole a tad on one of my Lee molds to get it to work right. Just that one tho.