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Cat_Whisperer
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Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Apr 12th, 2018 at 8:35pm
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Now, not often enough before, I document the alloy, the mold and weight of the cast bullets on a business card.  The card follows through the loading and shooting process so at the end I can make a 3x5 card with all the data to replicate it if it works well.

What do y'all do?
  

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Schuetzenmiester
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Re: Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Reply #1 - Apr 12th, 2018 at 8:37pm
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I used to for fixed ammo, along with performance.
  

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JLouis
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Re: Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Reply #2 - Apr 12th, 2018 at 9:04pm
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I put all the data on my development targets including temp. conditions etc.etc.etc.so I can actually see the differences and then visually compare one group of test with another. I found words like shoots great if used more than once ended up not having any real meaning but side to comparisons say allot. But I also when testing will shoot at least ten, ten shot 200yd. targets for each test and I look for consistency and not just good groups and one can run out of remarks to note for each in a real hurry if not having them on the actual targets shot to continually review. 
Nice looking bullets CW but aren't concerned about stacking them up like that and incurring some slight damge that could end up to be a bit miss-leading when you shoot them. 

JLouis
« Last Edit: Apr 12th, 2018 at 9:10pm by JLouis »  

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Re: Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Reply #3 - Apr 12th, 2018 at 9:17pm
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Thanks, John!  I LOVE your challenges!  I'm not quite that OCD yet on not letting them touch each other - but someday - likely!   

Agree, putting ALL the data on the target is GOOD, so this is where I start.  I'll be adding alloy temp soon (need to hook up the solid state relay to the PID to more closely control it.  (It has been good seeing the 20 degree swing and noting what it does to the casting quality.)
  

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Re: Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Reply #4 - Apr 12th, 2018 at 10:18pm
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I keep my alloy temps consistent for each mold and bullet weight along with the casting temp for the mold.  Most usually come out with +/- .2 gr.  My culls are usually +/- .3 gr. 

I would not worry about piled bullets for making fixed ammo, but I would not transport them that way.  I knew a fellow who was a very good small bore shooter but he transported his CF bullets in a can bouncing around in the back of his truck  Embarrassed  Another friend gave him some good bullets to shoot and he improved immensely.  Roll Eyes
  

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Re: Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Reply #5 - Apr 13th, 2018 at 12:36pm
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I write it all down on a label on the box. I also keep a record on each batch of brass- whether annealed, length, number of firings, etc. This brass info stays with the cases, so I'll know at a glance what I'm picking up to use.
I keep the label until I return home and record it in my book for that rifle. If the thing is very promising (or very impressive Roll Eyes), I cut out the group and put it into the book. I've done this for over forty years, and now I have a lot of books that are for guns and calibers long gone. But, I've come to look at 'em as my additions to my valued copy of "Pet Loads", from which I probably got the idea to begin with.
  
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Re: Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Reply #6 - Apr 13th, 2018 at 1:55pm
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CW a bit off topic but if you might also want to keep track of how many bullets you put down your rifles barrel just simply keep your empty primer boxes it's the easiest way I have found to keep track.
What Alloy are the bullets pictured they sure are filled out real nicely and I truly admire your enthusiasm. I have always enjoyed testing it gives one a good excuse to get out and shoot allot and to also learn allot. Also always liked try things out of the box to see what might be found. The latest was in regards to powder and experimenting with LT-30 in my 28-35SS of which has been quite interesting but I still have a ways to go when I am up to getting back to it. But so far I have shot some extremely nice 200yd.10 shot groups with it using 1-16 alloy and breech seated bullets. Only real down side so far has been the price of the powder and the powder charge being quite bit more than typical and thus costing a bit more to use. The upside accuracy has been real good, recoil more of nice soft push than snappy thus providing less rifle disturbance in the bags. 
Also one of the best alloys I found containing antimony back when I was doing various alloy testing ended being 50% 1-20 and 50% Linotype and something you too might want try some day. Hopefully it might work as well for you as it did me and also while using breech seated bullets. 

JLouis
  

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Re: Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Reply #7 - Apr 13th, 2018 at 3:14pm
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Pictured are from 20:1 lead:tin.  I also have a pot just for 3%anitmony and 8%tin.  Different but both cast well.

Getting these to fill out was a combination of watching pot temperature, rate of flow adjustment, and filling technique.  I start somewhere and adjust according to what I see not working.  Obviously larger bullets require a more wide open valve.  These required holding the spigot into the sprue hole but tilted so as to let off some of the pressure when it filled and holding it that way for a couple of seconds.  Holding it tight to the sprue hole caused finning.

  

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Re: Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Reply #8 - Apr 13th, 2018 at 7:43pm
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7mm International Rimmed (sort of a 30-30 necked down to 7mm) is in the plans for developing loads this spring - in hopes of being good enough for prairie dogs.   Hmmmm.  16:1 is easy to do, but I already have a few hundred cast at 20:1

  

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Re: Documenting alloy with cast bullets
Reply #9 - Apr 13th, 2018 at 8:03pm
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Best all around alloy I found for competitive breech seated shooting was 1-18 CW. Some rifles tend to lead with 1-16 and harder lead and tin alloy and why I bring it up. I could never get it to lead even with extremely poor bullet fit. I also found it to be more consistent than 1-20 and below having less uncalled for flyer's if all was well with rifle being used and thus my comment.

JLouis
  

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