Cast my first Bullets today!!

Okay! I finally did the same!!

Here is a picture of the keepers... there is a pile the same size of non usable ones:



I had an issue with my 4-20 lead pot, it wanted to keep dripping no matter what I did to the adjustment screw! It did eventually stop near the end of the pour... but I'm still confused... I don't think there was any bit of junk holding it open... anyone else run into this?


Cheers!

Trev

*update*

Gave her another go and she worked great! No leaking... my bullets also turned out smooth as silk!!! ;) I'm definitely hooked!
 
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MuthaFunk said:
It does fit in the muzzle down to the first band.

It looks like my fired brass is indeed larger than the bullets. Internal measurement of .312 before sizing. I was able to get these bullets to chamber now but I think I need some type of expander so as not to shave pieces of lead off the bullet when seating it. My rifle die sets didn't come with an expander. What do you fellow casters use to expand the mouth of your .311 sized cases to fit your .311 lead cast bullets in?

Thanks again for helping out a newb and putting up with the questions.
Click to expand...

I ordered a case neck expanding die direct from Lyman. You have to do a bit of digging through their catalog to find it. I will save you the trouble.
Item number 7349005 31 Long Neck Expanding (M) Die.

Word of caution- check the expander frequently to ensure it is threaded tight. I have also found that a very very tiny drop of light oil on the inside of the case mouth helps a lot with the expanding operation. Before I used the oil, I had a few brass that collapsed at the shoulder as the expander was pushed into the neck.
 
ChromeArty said:
Okay! I finally did the same!!

Here is a picture of the keepers... there is a pile the same size of non usable ones:



I had an issue with my 4-20 lead pot, it wanted to keep dripping no matter what I did to the adjustment screw! It did eventually stop near the end of the pour... but I'm still confused... I don't think there was any bit of junk holding it open... anyone else run into this?


Cheers!

Trev

*update*

Gave her another go and she worked great! No leaking... my bullets also turned out smooth as silk!!! ;) I'm definitely hooked!
Click to expand...

Nice work! It's really very rewarding casting your own bullets, reloading your cases, then shooting a nice tight group! There's so much to work on from perfecting your shooting technique to correctly assembling the components in a consistient manner, and even obtaining the proper alloy and finish on the cast bullets.

My first batch of rifle bullets looked great but were too soft for the speeds I wanted to shoot. I ended up with leading. A harder alloy is needed for my next batch. I'm just waiting for some nice weather now.

Good job on the bullets! Keep us posted on how they shoot.

One question, what / how do you plan to lube them?
 
Brno8x57 said:
I ordered a case neck expanding die direct from Lyman. You have to do a bit of digging through their catalog to find it. I will save you the trouble.
Item number 7349005 31 Long Neck Expanding (M) Die.

Word of caution- check the expander frequently to ensure it is threaded tight. I have also found that a very very tiny drop of light oil on the inside of the case mouth helps a lot with the expanding operation. Before I used the oil, I had a few brass that collapsed at the shoulder as the expander was pushed into the neck.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the heads up. I was able to get a .303 Lyman expanding M die from Canada Brass for cheap.
 
MuthaFunk said:
Nice work! It's really very rewarding casting your own bullets, reloading your cases, then shooting a nice tight group! There's so much to work on from perfecting your shooting technique to correctly assembling the components in a consistient manner, and even obtaining the proper alloy and finish on the cast bullets.

My first batch of rifle bullets looked great but were too soft for the speeds I wanted to shoot. I ended up with leading. A harder alloy is needed for my next batch. I'm just waiting for some nice weather now.

Good job on the bullets! Keep us posted on how they shoot.

One question, what / how do you plan to lube them?
Click to expand...

The hobby of hand loading is extremely rewarding! Adding casting to the mix is such a cool feeling. Making your own buckets from scratch! If only there was an easy way to make powder and primers ;)

This alloy is wheel weights so is already fairly hard, but I also added a 6" length of 50/50 solder to help fill out the mould a bit better.

I'm just going to tumble lube with liquid alox until I chose a path (powder coating or lubrisizing)
 
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