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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) What causes bullet wrinkling (Read 5635 times)
oughtsix
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What causes bullet wrinkling
Aug 22nd, 2020 at 1:41pm
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Alloy 24:1
casting temp 800 F
Brand new Lyman .446 mold  scrubbed with hot soapy water, flushed with brake cleaner.   did the scrub and flush twice.  really brushed it hard with wire brush 2nd time.  Cabine tree handles.  Every  bullet from 1st to maybe 30 ( when I quit) came out of left side as near perfect as any bullet  could, the right looks like the photo.

I tried heating the right side with a torch, only got wrinkled frosted bullets.  Have tried different closing tension on handles.   
I got three good bullets out  and they were not the last three, just random.  Decided to quit wasting my Saturday and do something else.   Any ideas whats going on?
  

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RSW
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #1 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 2:04pm
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IMO, your alloy is entering the mold cavity too slowly. Do you bottom-pour or use a ladle?
Could be the sprue plate hole is a bit small. Could be other causes though.
  

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Cbashooter
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #2 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 2:16pm
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I have a mold that does exactly the same thing and I've done it all the things you've done. The only way I can get good bullet has l
smoking the cavities with a butane lighter
  
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oughtsix
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #3 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 2:33pm
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Randy,  I ladle pour and Am usually what I consider fast.  I tried different holds, speeds, etc  even tried filling the mold with the sprue plate open, still got the wrinkles.

CBA,  I may try smoking next. Never did that before
  

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hepburnman
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #4 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 2:47pm
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Almost looks like air being trapped. Are the vent lines cut deep enough and are clear?
  
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Ranch13
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #5 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 2:48pm
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Looks like a bit of oil still in the mould. Try hitting that spot with the flame from a butane torch just briefly.
  
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n.r.davis
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #6 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 7:21pm
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Old age..... Roll Eyes
  
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JS47
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #7 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 7:47pm
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Try degreasing with acetone. Some break parts cleaners seem to leave a film. Anything else I can think of has already been mentioned.

JS
  
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Jeff_Schultz
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #8 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 8:08pm
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  Get it up to casting temp, take it outside and give it healthy squirt of Zippo lighter fluid.
  

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oughtsix
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #9 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 8:30pm
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That sounds like fun!
  

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beltfed
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #10 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 10:17pm
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1. disassemble the mold. 
2. SOAK the mold in "paint thinner/mineral spirits" for a few hours at least.
3. Remove the mold components-blocks, sprue plate and as you do that blot off most of the mineral spirits
4 Before the residual mineral spirits have a chance to dry, Rinse the blocks and sprue plate with acetone. Let dry.
5. Cast with ladle, alloy temp at 720F or higher. Tip mold sideways and apply the alloy filled dipper to the sprue plate. Tip the "assembly of mold and dipper Gradually to fill the cavity- keeping the dipper spout 
snug on the sprue plate "cone" and "bump" the whole setup
on edge of pot a couple times during a 'few seconds'  before separating dipper. 
beltfed/arnie
  
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #11 - Aug 22nd, 2020 at 10:37pm
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I have wrinkles but , not in my bullets. Ledball
  
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oldman46
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #12 - Aug 23rd, 2020 at 1:45am
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Heck I was born with wrinkles, got rid of them as I grew up now they are back again. 
Seriously, most wrinkles are caused by sprue plate hole being too small, I've opened up a few molds sprue plates and have one dipper I opened up the hole in the pouring spout on. Degreasing the mold is another trick as sometimes when casting the cutting fluids do not burn away. Some scrub the mold out with a tooth brush with Dawn dish washing detergent and hot water. No bore brushes. Acetone is also good for mold cleanout. And as previously stated some brake cleaners leave a film on what ever they are sprayed on. Auto parts stores sells a product caller CR-12 or something pretty close to that. I've used it to clean a new mold or one I haven't used in awhile. I have a little hot plate used in labs. You can dial just about any temp to pre heat your mold. Frank
  
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #13 - Aug 23rd, 2020 at 11:24am
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It would appear that the mold is too cold for the lead to flow , At 800 degrees the bullets should be coming out frosted .Back off on the lead temp and let the mold heat up and life will good                       cheers .
  
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belongtotom
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Re: What causes bullet wrinkling
Reply #14 - Aug 23rd, 2020 at 11:30am
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I for got to add the warnning about brake cleaner . Brake cleaner around heat is a very bad no no , the fumes given off when heated will attack the nervous system , For a good scare for the day read the MSDS sheet on brake cleaner
  
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