Bullet Casting Woes

[jmoore]

That target shows better than reasonable results! Were you expecting better?

No, but it's good enough to be annoying! I'd like to work up a usable cast bullet load for shooting IHMSA field pistol class, which has targets out to 100yd. The initial test shows same promise, but needs to be about 1/2 the group size. A 1/3 reduction might do, but then the operator would have to be better at not getting in a hurry!

[villiers]

Am coming to the conclusion that sizing might well be the way to go. According to the only literature available to me at the moment, the original bullets (for my Werder) were made by compressing the lead and had a cavity at the base. As it seems only logical, differences in bullet size and weight would lead to inaccuracy that could only be eliminated by compression sizing. Minie bullets were previously available from H & N, but they no longer make them. Can sizing dies be made for individual calibres? Or can sizing only be done for readily available calibres? Think I´ll have to delve further into this.

[jmoore]

the original bullets (for my Werder) were made by compressing the lead and had a cavity at the base.

Swaged pure lead bullets were the standard for US .58" Minie ball production as well. Far more uniform and easier to do in large volumes. I would think most all BPCR rifles used swaged lead bullets as standard, but it's not a common option for small lots of projectiles. So we seem to be stuck with cast projectiles for the odd obsolete arms we attempt to shoot.

There are folk who do commercially produce swaged lead Minies around here. I much prefer them to the cast variety.

Vibratory cleaner's motor seems kaput. Can't find a replacement, so it may be a case of forking over US$50 for a replacement base assembly. IF Lyman have any in stock!

Just got a four cavity mould. Very nice. Except there's no handles to be had! Aieee!!!

It's bad enough that the expenses keep piling up, but the product shortages are maddening. This is turning into a handgun shooting year, not sure why except it's hard to focus on both feeding and outfitting rifle and pistol at the same time.

[villiers]

And to add to all the general woes of BP and bullets, US Federal Laws now prevent brass from export. As there´s no manufacturer of Werder brass outside the US, my stock of about twenty cases will have to treated VERY carefully.

BTW, I wasn´t thinking of swageing new bullets, but of sizing the cast bullets. But I can hardly imagine that I´d be able to get a sizer made to the exact measurements of the Werder. If I could, I could than make the hollowed base ....

[gsimmons]

Villiers there are people in the NSSA who make sizing dies for the Lyman and RCBS sizers. I have .572 - .580 and the some of the ones for Maynard carbine and Gallagher carbine. Look up the North-South Skirmish Association site at the list of vendors. I lived in Michigan, there are machinist who make this stuff.

[jmoore]

So what exactly is the bore size of the Werder? Roughly 0.460" if it's an 11,5mm? (Closet Lyman gets is 0.459") Or is it regular Mauser size? (0.446" seems to be the H&I Lyman default.)

If doing a custom job, it seems the Lee push-through type bullet sizer that screws into a standard reloading press would be the easy route. Basic lathe work, but it requires pre-lubed bullets. I was surprised at how well the 0.358" Lee bullet sizer worked, given the rough finish of the conical area leading to the finish diameter. But no metal build-up or shaving at all! With just a little more work, the conical base forming step ought not be a huge leap.

[oldpaul]

I purchased these from Buffalo Arms in Idaho for about $45.00 each. They fit RCBS/Lyman lube sizers but are obviously more expensive than standard sizer dies. These size bullets precisely to the indicated diameters. Regards. Tom

[Patrick Chadwick]

If doing a custom job, it seems the Lee push-through type bullet sizer that screws into a standard reloading press would be the easy route.

Take a look at the Johannsen catalog. The Lee sizers can be ordered in special sizes. But the delivery will not exactly be overnight!

http://www.johannsen-jagd.de/data_de...og/katalog.php

I bought one in a standard size and turned up some inserts. The turning itself is not the problem. Your problem will be in finding someone who will cut the fine US thread on the insert, or getting hold of a suitable die to do it yourself. Industrial-quality US-thread dies are v. expensive here, so if you will only ever need one, it will probably be simpler to order a custom-made sizer. But, if you are like me and want to try sizing a couple of thous large, or smaller, then you will have to consider making inserts yourself or paying a local turner, both for reasons of price and delivery. Anyway, haven't you got a Hensel custom mold? The bullets ought to be OK as cast.

---------- Post added at 12:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 AM ----------

As there´s no manufacturer of Werder brass outside the US, my stock of about twenty cases will have to treated VERY carefully.

Patrick, please send me the basic dimensions of a fired case from your Werder (not from a data sheet - I never trust them blindly), and I may be able to advise you.
---------- Post added at 12:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 AM ----------

So it´s now playing with its demise.

If you must chuck it, chuck it at me! But knock the last zero off that fancy price you quoted.
Seriously, I think you may be expecting too much from the Werder. Getting the shots into a 10" black at 300 meters is good. With the short carbine sight radius it is excellent.

[jmoore]

Take a look at the Johannsen catalog. The Lee sizers can be ordered in special sizes. But the delivery will not exactly be overnight! http://www.johannsen-jagd.de/data_de...og/katalog.php

Help me out here! Roughly what pages have the pertinent info?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Page 96 for Lee and p.100 for RCBS. At least in the 24. edition that I found online. If anything has been added in the meantime, you may have to scan forwards and backwards a little. However, pp.96-100 is the right region.