Cast Bullet QC.

[dromia]

Got a range day the morrow and a chance to get out beyond 300yrds.

I will be taking one of my Parker Hale 0.451" Volunteers down so set about casting up some Lyman 451114 bullets to shoot.

Forty minutes at the pot gave me 35 bullets with no rejects at that stage.

I then sized and lubed them to 0.451" and gave them a good visual inspection, all was well.

Next was to weigh them.

Weighing ten of them gave me an average of 442.6 grains, so I marked out my sheet in 1/10th of a grain increments either side of the 442.6 grains giving me spread + and minus 1/2 a grain going from 442.2 grains to 443.1.

I then started weighing and setting out all 35 bullets.




Once laid out I the took the average weight of all 35 bullets which was 442.8 grains, going 1/2 a grain each side of this now gave me a spread of 442.3 to 443.2 gns.

There were five bullets outside this range two light ones at 441.8 and 441.9 and three heavy ones all at 443.3 grains, I rejected the two light ones and included the three heavy ones in the group giving me 33 bullets for tomorrow with an overall weight difference of 1 1/10 of a grain.

Should be close enough for pit work at around 1/4 per cent weight variation.

Bullets are good, good quality Swiss powder and rifles in good nick so if things don't go well then it can only be operator error that is at fault.

[WelshShooter]

What's the Gage R&R of that scale

4442.3 to 443.2 gns

Phwaor, quite the spread there! On a more serious note, well done on getting such consistent results. I think the mass difference there is pretty negligible. Are you just as maticulous with the powder charging of your Parker Hale?

[dromia]

I measure by volume after having set the measure to a weighed charge, a grain or so variation doesn't seem to make much difference with my shooting. Bullet variables have far more effect on the target than powder from my experience. If I was shooting further than 600 yards and competing then I would probably weigh the charges just to remove another variable.

I expect and get that level of consistency from all my cast bullets so long as the mould is working well. Temperature control of the melt, mould, sprue plate and pins if it is hollow base/nose is the key as well as a consistent grip pressure on the handles.

I also get better runs if I do them a little, often, 3/4 of an hour long sessions is tops for me but if I am in need of quantity then 3 or 4 sessions a day works fine.

[Dahonis]

.......and they worked very well !

[dromia]

Yes they did perform rather well didn't they?