I believe "hard cast" is just a term started/used by newer casters. Maybe started to differentiate between swaged or cast bullets. I also believe newer lead bullet reloaders believed "harder is...
Type: Posts; User: mdi
Forum: Cast Boolits
I believe "hard cast" is just a term started/used by newer casters. Maybe started to differentiate between swaged or cast bullets. I also believe newer lead bullet reloaders believed "harder is...
Forum: Cast Boolits
I have cast many of thse bullets and have used them in 380 ACP, 9mm, 38 Special and 357 Magnum. I have used a few different alloys and size depending on gun and caliber...
Forum: Cast Boolits
I slug the barrels (and revolver cylinders) of every new to me gun. I use brass rods to drive slugs and in countless uses have never had a problem. I also take some to the range in case of a squib...
Forum: Reloading Equipment
Shaving boolits when searing? Add more flare. Trying to push a .432" slug into a .429" tube can be pretty difficult. Bullets, cast and others, need an entry way into the case. That entry way is case...
Forum: Cast Boolits
"If it goes fast enough, the meplat will do the job anyway. No need for SN on deer. It's a big bullet.".That's my thinking too. I went with Ranch Dog's design .44 cal. RNFP for my Puma carbine loads....
Forum: Reloading Equipment
Yes. BTDT many times. I often size with an old "C" single stage, but sometimes didn't have room on the bench, so I grabbed my hand press. Can get tiresome after a bunch, balancing press and squeezing...
Forum: Cast Boolits
FWIW; Back when the reverse HBWC fad was on most forums, I tried some. I didn't cast any (as I had a bit of experience with hollow base shotgun slugs) but loaded some store bought. I started with...
Forum: Cast Boolits
It has been said many times (but can't prove it by me) bevel bases allow hot gases to push through to the bullet body and cause leading. I only had one bevel base mold, no reason it just worked out...
Forum: Cast Boolits
I too use the Lee 452-230-TC for my 3 45 ACP guns, ZI used a drill to remove the beveled base to cast flat bases. Sizing the bullet smooths out any irregularities and I get a flat base with good...
Forum: Cast Boolits
https://www.tacticoolproducts.com/headstamps.pdf
Forum: Cast Boolits
I believe gwpercle is 100% right.
When I started casting in the early '90s I never heard or read the term "Hard Cast" dealing with bullet BHN. IIRC it was used to differentiate between cast and...
Forum: Cast Boolits
Odd that nobody mentioned that the RCBS cannot be used right out of the box. The tool must have a 3" riser or have the handle 8" over the edge of the bench or the handle bottoms out on the bench top...
I've been reloading revolver ammo since 1970 off and on, mostly on. I cannot remember trimming any brass to get consistent lengths nor uniform crimps. In real life .005"difference in case length...
Any time there is a fit issue, measure. Measure the cartridge OD in a few places along the body to find out where the cartridge is too big. Then measure after each step to see when the cartridge...
Forum: Cast Boolits
I've heard (read) it said "the only way to learn how to cast bullets, is to cast bullets.". So practice, practice, practice. (when I started casting it was a good session when I got 50%-60% keepers...
Forum: Cast Boolits
I'd think a 9mm charge (to 35k psi) would bump up a BHN 11 bullet enough to give a tighter fit...
Welcome to the wonderful, oft confusing, frustrating world of reloading and casting boolits. I usually make Castboolits my first daily forum stop, and I usually find info on just about everything...
Speed is often mentioned as a problem with Lee Loaders. But, check this out; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeEl9wZyabc
Good news! A few years ago, 2013, I got tied of all the Lee Haters voicing their "opinions" (many, many unfounded) and searched then joined Lee Loaders forum. Very good, friendly, unbiased,...
Forum: Cast Boolits
FWI; I don't crimp any semi-auto handloads. I just deflare with a deflaring die (aka taper crimp die) and plunk test. Many handloads of 4 different caliber semi-auto, I have had zero problems. Neck...
Forum: Cast Boolits
When I was pushing mu 44 Magnums, during a bad case of "Magnumitis",, I measures the case head before and after firing. If there was any expansion , beyond .001"-.002" I would double check my data...
Forum: Reloading Equipment
I too separate the seating/crimping operations. I have tried seating/crimping in one operation, but getting the adjustments just right seemed too much for just eliminating one step.
FWIW; I do not...
Forum: Cast Boolits
Normally, I would suggest a new work up when using a different major component. Start low (manual min.) and work up as needed to achieve the performance you want. I never cared for any "formula" when...
Forum: Cast Boolits
Yep, too hard and too small are most common causes of destabilizing bullets. And yes, a Lee FCD for handgun calibers can and swage bullets down to undersize diameter (BTDT)...
Forum: Reloading Equipment
I think I would use the case length feature and plunk test a finished round for chambering/headspace.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |