bpcr shooter wrote: ↑Wed Apr 27, 2022 6:56 am
It would be really nice if there a was a "master caster" that could make a video for us to see everything from once you get a new mold to the final product. Even toss in some problems if possible. I would be super appreciative if someone would do this for us!! .3gr would be fantastic to get! Thanks for that info!!
matt
Kenny describes his casting process in his new book. I generally get the vast majority of my .45 cal bullets within +/- 0.3gr but sometimes it's +/- 0.4gr. I do 100 round batches and toss the first 8 or 9 as the mold comes completely up to temperature.
In my mind to get consistent weight temperature of the mold and temperature of the melt are what you need to monitor. And use good ladle. You need to monitor temperature very closely. I mostly use Lee pots and I look at the temperature every time I hear the pot click when it kicks in. This tells you if it's trying to get too hot.
For the mold temp, the length of time it takes for the sprue puddle to solidify tells you a lot about the temperature of the mold. I count the number of seconds from when I remove the ladle until it freezes. Another clue to mold temperature is how easily the bullet drops, and if it sticks, which cavity does it stick in. Many of my Buffalo Arms bullets stick in the left cavity when they are coming up to temperature, and will stick in the right cavity when too hot. Not sure why it switches, but it often does.
The rest of it is timing. I use my phone with a counter going the whole time. This completely depends on ambient temperature. I'll wait the 6 seconds or whatever I'm using for sprue puddle freezing time. Then I look at the phone and make a note of the time. I'll wait as little as 10 seconds on a day where it's below freezing, and probably 25 seconds on a nice casting day. Say 45-60 degrees ambient. Hotter days I try not to cast, but then I might wait even longer. How the sprue looks when you cut it ( tearing = too cold, smearing too much = too hot ) as well as bullet sticking will be your guide here. Once you get a rythm, keep it going precisely.
Also, a little Hank Williams Jr playing in the background helps
Chris.