Bullet Casting Woes

[jmoore]

Oddly, even though the weights are close and near advertised weight, some small base voids were found. Tiny, but there.

The bullet finish displayed some oxide and dirt inclusions, hence the fluxing. It seems to help, but only if it's mixed well during the process. Usually sawdust works for me, but the wax flux seems to clean just a bit better. Cleaning needed probably due to all the red clay on the linotype. It was found behind an old print shop years back. I think much of the fluxing effect is due to the reducing atmosphere created, but there's more at work when the pot is stirred and the walls scraped. Have read various theories, none mention the reducing (versus oxidizing) factor, and generally don't answer for sure why it helps. You probably use nicer raw materials than I, so it's not as important.


ETA: On a completely different subject, there's an 1891 Argentine Mauser rifle that needs some range time. But I'm contemplating leaving it alone until a bullet mould can be obtained to shoot 200gr GC bullets, rather than going out and fouling the bore with 174gr jacketed RN soft points. Super bore, with not a hint of fouling currently. So, patience or immediate gratification? Knowing that the cast bulleted route is coming at some point...