Lead Shrinkage Question

[pheenix99]

I have a question regarding lead shrinkage when casting. The question isn't regarding pure lead (I bought a custom .495 mould and it casts at .49, so I got that), but rather alloys. What can be added to the lead to prevent shrinking, if anything?

 

[JeffG]

I tried to use WW hardness lead for casting my .54 smoothbore, to increase penetration on a buffalo hunt. The balls came out of the mold oversize, and difficult to load. Adding 50% pure lead to that mix didn't change much. It might be better to use pure lead, and adjust patch thickness.

 

[pheenix99]

I tried to use WW hardness lead for casting my .54 smoothbore, to increase penetration on a buffalo hunt. The balls came out of the mold oversize, and difficult to load. Adding 50% pure lead to that mix didn't change much. It might be better to use pure lead, and adjust patch thickness.

I was mainly curious.

 

[dave951]

Tin

 

[tenngun]

I am reminded of a medical statement in the Book House of God. You can’t find a fever if you don’t take a temperature.
In near fifty years of casing ball I reject wrinkled, visible holes or frosty. Otherwise I’ve never ‘miked’ a ball or weighed one

 

[dave951]

Since I shoot competition, I weigh, size and sort all my bullets. Ones outside the established parameters go back into the pot. Part of that process is absolutely NO unknown alloys ever, and that means WW.

 

[nhmoose]

Alloys get bigger IMHO

 

[hanshi]

True, WW and other lead alloys cast larger than pure lead from the same mold. My Lee .600" mold drops ball of around .606" when using WW.

 

[oldwood]

I have a 40 yr.old Lyman mold marked .490. It casts .493 no matter what alloy used. It's difficult to use in my .50 cal. brl. , a PITA. Replaced it way back , w/a Lee that casts exact .490's. Perfect fit for my .50 longrifle , and a .012 patch.

 

[bubba.50]

Lee and I believe Lyman calibrate their moulds to drop at the stated size when using pure lead. As others have stated, contaminants(alloys) make them drop larger due to less shrinkage when they cool.

 

[stikshooter]

I have a 40 yr.old Lyman mold marked .490. It casts .493 no matter what alloy used. It's difficult to use in my .50 cal. brl. , a PITA. Replaced it way back , w/a Lee that casts exact .490's. Perfect fit for my .50 longrifle , and a .012 patch.

And my .600 Lee drops @ .595 with pure /Ed

 

[SamTex1949]

I am reminded of a medical statement in the Book House of God. You can’t find a fever if you don’t take a temperature.
In near fifty years of casing ball I reject wrinkled, visible holes or frosty. Otherwise I’ve never ‘miked’ a ball or weighed one

Now there is a title and book Im guessing many here has never read ! Was in the medical arena for over 30 yrs (1967-2000) . let see if any one can guess "GOMER"

 

[tenngun]

One of my favorite words

 

[Widows Son]

Pure lead bullets will weigh more but be a little bit undersized
Alloy lead bullets will weigh a little less but be a bit oversized.

Just something I’ve learned during my load development journey.

 

[nhmoose]

I have a 40 yr.old Lyman mold marked .490. It casts .493 no matter what alloy used. It's difficult to use in my .50 cal. brl. , a PITA. Replaced it way back , w/a Lee that casts exact .490's. Perfect fit for my .50 longrifle , and a .012 patch.

Use pure not Aloy

Lyman uses Lyman #2 for mould size not pure by the way

 

[Uncle Miltie]

Anything added to pure pb will make a larger projectile.

 

[leadhoarder]

One of my favorite words

I was in the pool!

 

[pheenix99]

Use pure not Aloy

Lyman uses Lyman #2 for mould size not pure by the way

I got a .495 mold from BallMoulds and the one I did measure comes out at .490 (pure lead).

 

[oldwood]

I have a lead hardness tester, but too old and lazy to use it. I just sort through my lead supply , and pick out the "thumbnail test" , soft stuff. I stick with my 20 0r so , Lee molds , 'cause they always are true to size.. Works good enough for me. Lyman has lost a lot of sales over the last 45 yrs. , due to the result of that one .490 ball mold. I can't tell folks to use iron molds , that throw inaccurate size balls.. I must be living in a bubble. Most shooters of m/l's don't even know there is such a thing as hard and soft lead.

 

[stikshooter]

I have a lead hardness tester, but too old and lazy to use it. I just sort through my lead supply , and pick out the "thumbnail test" , soft stuff. I stick with my 20 0r so , Lee molds , 'cause they always are true to size.. Works good enough for me. Lyman has lost a lot of sales over the last 45 yrs. , due to the result of that one .490 ball mold. I can't tell folks to use iron molds , that throw inaccurate size balls.. I must be living in a bubble. Most shooters of m/l's don't even know there is such a thing as hard and soft lead.

Yup their called NEWBEES for a reason cause anyone that shoots M/L and cast does!!! /Ed