How to make your boolits lighter?

[stilly]

In casting.

I have noticed that although I have a 200gr mold, It is dropping 208 and 207gr boolits.

Would I have to change my alloy in order to get it to throw lighter?

It is odd because all of my others are almost DRT. My 230 drops 231gr and my 160 drops hmm 162, I forgot. but even my TC 452 230 drops 230-231.


**edited for correctness. I got my weights mixed up. Sorry.

[ziconceo]

You could use a flat grinder to shave a few grains off after the bullets are cast. Shouldn't take more than 5 seconds per bullet

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

How to make your boolits lighter?

Well, you could increase the tin and antimony content in your alloy if you're that concerned about it. Or you could forget about it, load them and shoot them. What matters most is how consistent they are, not their weight.

I wouldn't try shaving them. Nicks and cuts and then there's the whole what kind of aftershave to put on them. Naw, I wouldn't go there.

[jericho89]

how is the diameter? The cooler you run your lead the heavier it will be (it shrinks less). But if you run too hot then you run the risk of under sizing and damage to your mould. As stated it is more important to have consistent weight then to worry about a few grains.

[VooDooV]

You are probably dumping them softer then what the mold MFG advertised, That's not wrong of course, Its just you prefer them heavy and softer.

I have done separate batches before for both 45LC and 357, One batch for pistol and a batch harder and lighter for rifle.

Its what you want and feel comfortable with that matters, And maybe your firearm like them.

Also if there flat nose and have a table disk sander, You can use a clamped peace of angle iron as a guide and just bump the tip of the slug to lighten them, Its faster and more consistant then filing, Don't forget to wear a mask.

[pacrat]

Yes, you can add tin-antimony to the mix and lighten them. Keep in mind if you are loading low pressure target ammo. Lighter harder bullets often isn't as accurate at low pressure levels in a pistol.

In the real world a tin can, piece of paper, or a critter will never complain because it was shot with a bullet that weighted an extra 6 grains.

[Capt.Dunsel]

In casting.

I have noticed that although I have a 160gr mold, It is dropping 166 and 167gr boolits.

Would I have to change my alloy in order to get it to throw lighter?

It is odd because all of my others are almost DRT. My 230 drops 231gr and my 200 drops hmm, I forgot. but eveen my TC 452 230 drops 230-231.

I was thinking if I should just start using load data for 185gr since that was all I found in the book.

Actually online I found more. It is just nice to have it in the book and when I cast maybe lighten the load next time...

You use Lee molds , right ?
They use Lyman #2 alloy to get their weights and suggest you use it to get the weight they say the mold throws.

By using #2 alloy I get exactly what Lee says they are supposed to +/- 1 gr,
even in a little bitty 22 cal.

#2 alloy 9 lbs ww , 1 lb 50/50 solder or 9 lbs ww , 2lbs lino , 7 oz virgin tin

[stilly]

You use Lee molds , right ?
They use Lyman #2 alloy to get their weights and suggest you use it to get the weight they say the mold throws.

By using #2 alloy I get exactly what Lee says they are supposed to +/- 1 gr,
even in a little bitty 22 cal.

#2 alloy 9 lbs ww , 1 lb 50/50 solder or 9 lbs ww , 2lbs lino , 7 oz virgin tin

Holy **** on a stick. Yeah I am using Lee molds. Okay I will forget about them then. Nevermind. They are perfect... Yeah the inner hoarder in me now wants to go seek out the 50/50 solder. Funny though how the others are not off by that much. Just the lighter boolit.

For the record though they were most likely too hot, I mean, they almost all came out frosted. Well, they look like the metal used in flashing or the extruded aluminum at the home depot stores where it has geometric shapes in it and all, but on a smaller scale of course. They are .452 dropped apparently but when I run them through the .451 sizer they offer resistance and do not drop out. ONE has dropped out and it went back in the pot.

[pacrat]

Holy **** on a stick. Yeah I am using Lee molds. Okay I will forget about them then. Nevermind. They are perfect... Yeah the inner hoarder in me now wants to go seek out the 50/50 solder. Funny though how the others are not off by that much. Just the lighter boolit.

For the record though they were most likely too hot, I mean, they almost all came out frosted. Well, they look like the metal used in flashing or the extruded aluminum at the home depot stores where it has geometric shapes in it and all, but on a smaller scale of course. They are .452 dropped apparently but when I run them through the .451 sizer they offer resistance and do not drop out. ONE has dropped out and it went back in the pot.

I cast a little hot, 7-750F. Much prefer a little frosting to wrinkles and voids rejects. I use Lyman #2 for hot magnum loads, and straight wheel weights for lower pressure stuff.

If you can't find 50-50 bar solder at Home Depot type big box places. Try smaller hardware stores or sheet metal shops.

JM2c

[Fishslayer]

Yes, different alloy will drop different weight boolits.

I don't think it really matters as long as the weight is consistent. The weight will change when you size them anyway, right?

[Capt.Dunsel]

The weight will change when you size them anyway, right?

Nope , they don't magically change weight. Same amount of material in them,
they just get squished down a little

[stilly]

Yes, different alloy will drop different weight boolits.

I don't think it really matters as long as the weight is consistent. The weight will change when you size them anyway, right?

My weights did not change pre/post sizing. They are just there...

One of these days I want to meet that little dog. :O

[gunboat]

Hollow pointer works every time --

[stilly]

Hollow pointer works every time --

Please elaborate for me. Where is said hollow pointer?

[gunboat]

Hollow pointer = forster products - two diameters -

Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining --