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Anual NES Bullet Casting Seminar Feeler Thread
- Thread starter 38ExtraSpecial
- Start date
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll have to figure out how to change that.
namedpipes
NES Member
Keeping an eye on the date but this time I'm not committing until I KNOW I can make it.
pastera
NES Member
Going to try to do a mold modification demo at the seminar with a 7x lathe and a new Lee 2 cavity mold.
Did a test run on a Lee 356-120TC - This mold dropped small (.3556-.356)
Opened it up to drop .3585-.359 and removed the lube groove. I didn't bother polishing it because the bullets fall out of the mold easily.
For those with a keen eye - yes the micrometer reads ~.3595 but the bullet was hot and was held very loosely. And yes, I did touch the cone on one of the cavities... it was a test run...
Did a test run on a Lee 356-120TC - This mold dropped small (.3556-.356)
Opened it up to drop .3585-.359 and removed the lube groove. I didn't bother polishing it because the bullets fall out of the mold easily.
For those with a keen eye - yes the micrometer reads ~.3595 but the bullet was hot and was held very loosely. And yes, I did touch the cone on one of the cavities... it was a test run...
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
Love it!!!
That’s an awesome mod.
Do you think you could center the cavity and drill it out for a standard hollow point pin?
Have you check out hollowpointmold.com?
That’s guy makes serious $$$ drilling some holes in molds!
pastera
NES Member
Once the cavity is lined up for boring out the lube groove, drilling a hole and reaming is relatively easy.
Haven't given much thought to converting a mold though and there isn't much meat on the Lee mold I'm using but might be something to try this winter
If there is a drill press available (or I could bring my micro-mill) - We could fix Lee 2 cavity molds where the pins holding the handles on are falling out (drill out with a #29, tap 8-32 and install a set screw)
Haven't given much thought to converting a mold though and there isn't much meat on the Lee mold I'm using but might be something to try this winter
If there is a drill press available (or I could bring my micro-mill) - We could fix Lee 2 cavity molds where the pins holding the handles on are falling out (drill out with a #29, tap 8-32 and install a set screw)
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
Nice! That’s a failing point in the less Moulds that come with the price point but it’s nice to know how to fix it.
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
Do you think you could pull of something like this?
I think off all the round ball Moulds I’ve passed on over the years and how this was an ingenious way to make a cool ball-et
I have loaded this one in 45/70 but it drops a little on the small size. I’m going to load it in 45 Colt now.
I think off all the round ball Moulds I’ve passed on over the years and how this was an ingenious way to make a cool ball-et
I have loaded this one in 45/70 but it drops a little on the small size. I’m going to load it in 45 Colt now.
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
So
This was a round ball mould that some clever dude turned into a collar button bullet with a line groove.
Could you pull that off from a simple round ball mould?
Sorry I should have explained.
This was a round ball mould that some clever dude turned into a collar button bullet with a line groove.
Could you pull that off from a simple round ball mould?
pastera
NES Member
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
Hmm. Wondering if you could not make a front driving band and just have the base band.
Then the line groove would be between the major diameter of the ball and the base band.
Not sure how well that would work but even a Hi-Tek smooth sided version would work well.
I see round ball Moulds on the cheap all the time.
It could make for a lightweight plinker in a centerfire cartridge.
4.3 grains Bulls eye. This bullet and gun dont like BE much?
3.5 grains Clays 1.125” COL fed fine and shot well. That high flyer was all my bad booger hook control.
Vintage Lyman 452488/431 small body single cavity mold 185 grain SWC
Goimg to make up some good old fashion Lubed smokey powder hole punchers. Drop a target at 25 yards and see what I can do old school service pistol style with the 1911style
oh just a side note LEE 6 cavity mold handles fit almost all molds or are easy converted to fit vs buying expensive handles or hunting down the "small" body mold handles for some of these older molds.
3.5 grains Clays 1.125” COL fed fine and shot well. That high flyer was all my bad booger hook control.
Vintage Lyman 452488/431 small body single cavity mold 185 grain SWC
Goimg to make up some good old fashion Lubed smokey powder hole punchers. Drop a target at 25 yards and see what I can do old school service pistol style with the 1911style
oh just a side note LEE 6 cavity mold handles fit almost all molds or are easy converted to fit vs buying expensive handles or hunting down the "small" body mold handles for some of these older molds.
Last edited:
Sorry I haven't been on for a while. We picked a vacation place in Northern New Hampshire late last Oct. and I have been out straight working on it. I remodeled the inside and that is now done. So I am up for a little relaxing at the seminar. I have a couple of mold mallets left to throw in the pot. I will see if I can come up with some lead and maybe some pewter.
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
Alright it looks like the 13th right now.
Sorry for the dates being off but this is set for a sunday not a saturday.
If you're still in please let me know
The other option would be to go for Sunday November 10th if it's open.
Sorry for the dates being off but this is set for a sunday not a saturday.
If you're still in please let me know
The other option would be to go for Sunday November 10th if it's open.
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
@Richardgc @northny @daggrant99 @BarnBuilder @yanquidog @Artie @BFDX7 @snax
@pastera @BillNed @1919FAN @The Goose
Alright so we're on for the 3rd then? is everyone in?
Details to follow this week as far as location and cost. As stated earlier I'm going to keep the cost down this time and keep away from the long boring smelting. This week drop down the amount of lead everyone takes home to the bullets you can cast while you're there. I'll show a quick demo on smelting (adding some WW to an already molten batch and quick fluxing) and leave way more time for the hands on casting/coating/lubing/loading tips and tricks.
I'll start a sign up thread too.
@pastera @BillNed @1919FAN @The Goose
Alright so we're on for the 3rd then? is everyone in?
Details to follow this week as far as location and cost. As stated earlier I'm going to keep the cost down this time and keep away from the long boring smelting. This week drop down the amount of lead everyone takes home to the bullets you can cast while you're there. I'll show a quick demo on smelting (adding some WW to an already molten batch and quick fluxing) and leave way more time for the hands on casting/coating/lubing/loading tips and tricks.
I'll start a sign up thread too.
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
Really? I’ve had my local yard zap some Lino/mono/foundry to see what was what when I bought like $20 worth. They were more than happy to help
