Spur cutting

[jackley]

The last thread on molds, got me wondering about what you use to cut the spurs? When at home all my molds have spur cutters. But on the trail, I use bag molds that don't. I cast, then cut the spurs with a knife, after there dropped from the mold.

I have seen people that use end cutters, side cutters, wire stripers, knives and axes to cut the spurs.

Here is a pic of an old brass mold, that has a grove worn in the mold at fill hole. It looks like they cut the spurs while the bullet was still in the mold.

Just wondering how everyone else cuts them?

Jerry

 

[appalichian hunter]

Small pair of side cutters

 

[Rifleman1776]

Interesting thread titles always catch my attention. Dunno anything about "spur" cutters. ;-) But, in our game we do use 'sprue' cutters when casting round balls. I have two moulds that do not have built in sprue cutters. I simply do my casting and when all is cooled cut off the extra (sprue) lead with side cutters and toss back in the pot. At one time old original moulds (what some call 'bag moulds' today) were quite common. I bought many at antique shops, flea markets, etc. Many had a built in cutter behind the mold which could be used once the cast ball cooled.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Small sharp plier type cutters almost like a heavy duty toe nail cutter, different areas different pronunciation but apparently you understood the concept. Most bag molds that I have came across do not have the built in cutter. Been shooting the muzzle loaders since the early 70s does that make me player in your game.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I have a pair of what are actually called "sprue cutters" that are great for multiple uses. Mine are small "dike" style snips designed for the casting sprues on molds that I got from a fishing lure company to snip the sprues off cast sinkers.

These are close.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N1OXKC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Carbon 6]

I have a pair of what are actually called "sprue cutters" that are great for multiple uses. Mine are small "dike" style snips designed for the casting sprues on molds that I got from a fishing lure company to snip the sprues off cast sinkers.

These are close.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N1OXKC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I think I've seen those at Wal-mart in the craft or sewing section.

 

[George]

Many had a built in cutter behind the mold which could be used once the cast ball cooled.

Early on, too.

Buffaloes in the Corn: James Wades Account of Pioneer Kentucky, edited by Roseann R. Hogan, The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Vol. 89, No. 1 (Winter 1991), pp. 1-31]

ca 1785 "He ran all his bullets in a pair of moulds that had a knife in them to cut them off…. at the neck as they were run."

Spence

 

[M. De Land]

View attachment 1673 The last thread on molds, got me wondering about what you use to cut the spurs? When at home all my molds have spur cutters. But on the trail, I use bag molds that don't. I cast, then cut the spurs with a knife, after there dropped from the mold.

I have seen people that use end cutters, side cutters, wire stripers, knives and axes to cut the spurs.

Here is a pic of an old brass mold, that has a grove worn in the mold at fill hole. It looks like they cut the spurs while the bullet was still in the mold.

Just wondering how everyone else cuts them?

Jerry

I would use a blade at the mold top as soon as the spru congeals if I didn't have a mold top spru plate cutter. I feel a consistent spru size and shape helps with accuracy as you would be surprised at how many grains of weight variance can occur from inconsistent spru trimming.
The loading rod will help in shaping the spru , which is usually loaded forward, but weight variance from random trimming methods could be problematic for match accuracy, I would think.

 

[jackley]

I would use a blade at the mold top as soon as the spru congeals

That's what I think the owner of the brass pictured mold did. He cut the sprue with a knife while the bullet was still in the mold. That's why the wear groves are in it.

Jerry