Armory Sponsor
Posted: 10/7/2008 5:24:16 AM EDT
|
I have been experimenting with bullet casting lately and have the general idea down. For some reason most of my bullets will vary in weight by more than a few grains from lot to lot. My guess is that by using a Lee 6 cavity mold I am experiencing a weight difference between each individual mold. During my sorting I am weighing each bullet individually and sorting by a 1 grain variance. Typically I have 3 weights with the majority of the bullets with a few to either side of the average.. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do differently to get a consistent weight? If you are casting for IDPA/IPSC would you feel confident shooting a load with a bullet that may weigh up to 4 grains different than the next in the magazine? |
|
I have heard of the OCD way of dealing with this, which is measuring each one and sorting by weight in grains. I've noticed that a few grains either way doesn't matter on short distance shooting. Major air voids inside the bullet can be exciting though. I've noticed 2-4 grain variations in different commercially cast handgun bullets in the past also. I had problems with keeping the lee 6 gang mold hot enough when I was casting and noticed less of these problems when I switched to 4 gang steel molds. I don't know if the mold would contribute this problem or not. I am not actively casting right now, so my opinions would defer to folks that are. |
|
What does your accuracy testing tell you? Can you detect a difference between sorted and mixed bullets? I predict you can't. As for getting better... Consistent technique will yield the most consistent results. Make sure you are squeezing the handles when you fill. Make sure the pot is the same temperature every time. Pour at the same rate. Keep the same alignment of the sprue hole to the spout. Pour the same sprue. Be aware that even if your technique is perfect, there will still be some variation because the Lee cavities are lathe cut individually. ETA: I am casting for USPSA. I sort out obvious defects and drive on.\ <======= |
Armory Sponsor