Finally got around to trying a few out!

[STIHL]

It seems like I have more stuff to do than I have time, I finally got around to trying a few I Haven't cast with. I picked a SAECO 068 up on a whim last week on eBay, got it right, mold and handles, needed a little cleaning, but it cleaned up nicely. Also picked up a 311-467 couple months back. Single cavity, and it has a damaged pin hole. I straightened it up best I could, but it’s going to need a overhaul on that line up pin. I’ll fix the one line up pin with a roll pin I hope. Tried out 2 I bought from Brad, a 311-332 double cavity and a 311-413 single. I have to say the 413 was one of the best molds I have ever cast with in a single. Bullets jumped out of the mold. The 332 was a good one too. That damn 467 and all those bands that bullet doenst want to fall out of the mold.

I had an issue tonight I never thought I would have, got my molds too hot to start off. Also learned a Lee pro 4-20 will not regulate correctly on 28 degree night. Didn’t cast many of the 30 cals as I just needed a test batch of the 30 cals I have. Going to see what they will do this spring I hope. Oh it was 28* with a 23* wind chill when I finished casting.

All in all a goodnight casting. Thought I would share.

 

[Jeff H]

Those look good!

Hey, is that an old Ashley those round pans are sitting on?

 

[fiver]

you'll like that 467 if you can seat it out some.

 

[Spindrift]

Nice bullets!
Casting outside in cold winter temperatures, especially when it is windy, can be quite demanding. Particularily with small bullets and aluminum moulds.

 

[STIHL]

Those look good!

Hey, is that an old Ashley those round pans are sitting on?

It’s actually a King which was the predecessor to the Ashley? IIRC Heats like a mad man when you need it too or will slow burn on low. They were really good heaters with very simple designs.

 

[STIHL]

you'll like that 467 if you can seat it out some.

I hope so, they are hell to cast, but it is a tried and true design. Seems to shoot well for everyone that shoots it.

It would probably serve me well to add 2% Sn to the mix when casting those. Mold temp has to be spot on and alloy temp too, few have slight rounded bands because mold would get cool, and I was banging them out. those little small block irons don’t hold heat well at all. That SAECO was the first 4 cav iron mold I’ve ever cast with, and it was a pleasure lot more mass to hold that heat.

I don’t have a whole lot of hope for the other 2, but that 332 might just shoot at a low velocity.

 

[Bret4207]

Frosty bullets are generally good bullets- within reason. Nice pile regardless!

 

[STIHL]

Definitely frosted, I tried to cool things down, but the alloy temp was basically unmanageable. I'm going to fix that a PID build is in my future. until then, I'll keep making do with what I've got going here.