I poured some lead

[Idaho Ron]

Well today was the day. I got the new moulds out and went to work making bullets. I whipped up some Lyman 395 gr great plains bullets. They turned out heavier than they were supposed to. Most were 398 gr.

The next were Lee REAL bullets 320 gr. These turned out mostly 325 gr.

This last pic is not that great.

I was happy with how they turned out. I hope they shoot good. Any idea why they turned out heavy? Ron

 

[Slake]

good lead...impurities or slag takes away from weight

 

[Jac Spring]

Nice job! :thumbsup:

That's not a lot of weight variation given the total weight of the bullets.

 

[paulvallandigham]

The weight difference is pricipally due to how the mold was cut. It would not take much polishing, along with a new cutters, and reamer to open the mold up a few grains in weight/volume. The weights given for bullet molds are approximations, only, particularly for those that are mass produced. I am sure the custom mold makers can make a mold that gives closer weights, but you should not be objecting to these.

For off-hand shooting, you are not going to tell the difference in shooting the lightest and heaviest bullets. For target work, use the 398 and 399 bullets. Try the 396 , 397, and 400 grain bullets on paper, at no less than 50 yards to see if they stray very far from the main group. As has already been noted, the difference in weigh is not much of a percentage of the total weight of the bullet. Generally if you are within 1 % of weight, you are not going to tell any difference unless you are shooting a serious long range target match.

The second factor in deciding the weight of the bullet, has already been noted. Even in so-called Pure lead, you will find slag, and impurities. The cost of providing lead that is absolutely clean of other metals would be so high that no one could afford to buy it. Certainly we could not afford to be shooting the stuff. So, the lead we use is " close enough " to pure for our purposes. An easy test to find out how pure our lead is , is to take a hammer, and hit a lead ball with it on a steel plate. It should mushroom, with some splits, but it should not break off pieces.

 

[Idaho Ron]

Here are some more numbers. Three bullets of each were measured
The largest spread on the bottom ring for the Lyman was .0032
The largest spread for the middle rings for the Lyman was .0013
The largest spread for the top ring for the Lyman was. .0014

The largest spread on the bottom ring for the LEE REAL was .0027
The largest spread for the second ring for the LEE REAL was . .0007
The largest spread for the third ring for the LEE REAL was .0015
The largest spread for the top ring for the LEE REAL was .0007

40 bullets were poured with the Lyman 395. Of those
3- weighed 395 gr for 7%
6- weighed 396 gr for 15%
2- weighed 397 gr for 5%
13- weighed 398 gr for 32%
9- weighed 399 gr for 22%
5- weighed 400 gr for 12%
2- weighed 401 gr for 5%

38 Bullets were poured with the Lee REAL 320. Of those
2- weighed 323 gr for 5%
1-weighed 324 gr for 2%
23- weighed 325 gr for 60%
12- weighed 326 gr for 31%

Both moulds poured heavy. The lyman for the average was 3 gr heavy.
The Lee was on the average 5 gr heavy.

I am curious to see how they shoot. Ron

 

[Joel Boyles]

Bullet weights are given based on specimens cast of linotype (or similar) alloy. The additional tin/antimony in the mix makes them lighter than "pure" lead. My favorite Lee mold for .45 Colt throws a nominal 300 gr. bullet that weighs 310 grains when cast from wheelweights. The "purer" the lead you use, the heavier the finished bullet.

Fun hobby, isn't it?

Joel

 

[Idaho Ron]

I am starting to like this "tinkering" I can't wait to try some out shooting.. Ron

 

[Titus]

those are some fine looking boolets! :thumbsup: Anyways, I just love them. Its the only bullet I shoot out of my GPH. Loads easily and knocks quite hard. Funny enough, mine also casts out at a mean weight of 398grs. :hmm:

 

[Jac Spring]

What I was trying to say is that a 3 grain varience +/- of 398 is only .75% variation - hardly something to be concerned about - especially when all of the other factors like fouling, amount of lube, etc. will vary much more than that. I would consider these optimal for accuracy in a ml.

Further, since the bullets will be engraved by the rifling upon loading, they will all have the same "land" diameter when fired. The groove diameter could be an issue if the bullet metal comes into contact ahead of the expansion area at the base - but again, I wouldn't expect any trouble given your data.

Again, excellent work! :thumbsup:

Let us know how they shoot for you!

 

[Runner]

Take a small amount of lead at the end of a pour. Add an ounce of wheel wieghts to the mix at that point and let it all return to temp. Cast some test bullets using that mix and then measure them carefully. You can make big differences in some guns by varying the hardness, weight, and size like that. My current slug barrel likes the Lee Target Minnies cast out of pure lead with 4 to 6 ounces of WW material added to a 10 pound melt.
The REAL will likely need a lubed patch or wad under it if you are looking for target accuracy. I use shotgun lubed cushion wad material torn up and add a pinch under the bullet in my guns. In a 1-48 twist barrel, an inch at 50yards is not too hard to acheive. A Lee Target Minnie will go pretty much in a ragged hole at that range out of most guns if you do your part. The almost flat front of the Target bullet limits it's long range usefullness.
I know no one here needs to hear this, but I need to say it anyway. Use a big exhaust fan if you are casting inside, and stay right in front of it with the pot closer than you are. If your pot will not get hot enough right in front of the fan, then move to the side a little, not farther away. Keep yourself farther away from the fan than the melted lead.

 

[Jac Spring]

Oh posh, all that lead fume warning stuff is just paranoid.... uh what was I... oh yeah, I've been casting bullets for years and never worry about fumes. Fumes... for... its on the tip of my toungue....uh.. oh yeah - lead is your friend.

Fishing is really fun. I like ice cream too.

So, there, hope you stop with all that talk of ice cream maker danger OK?

:haha: :winking:

Seriously, good ventillation will minimize the danger of ingesting lead. Although I do really think that the danger is over-emphasized - just use a vent fan and wash your hands when you finish up. Mike Venturino, a writer in Handloader among other mags gets his blood checked for lead ingestion every year with his check up. He says that even though he is constantly casting bullets that he's never had any unusual lead readings show-up. But, he does utilize a vent fan and washes his hands. :hatsoff:

 

[lightsky]

some of the veriation could be caused when the mold heats up.
metal expands when heated ,causing the bullets
to gain a little weight.
the boys have it right,they'll shoot ok,so don't
worry.