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Posted: 11/19/2008 10:20:32 AM EDT
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Well, I've been trying to develop a .277 hardcast lead bullet for the 6.8 SPC, but .277 bullet moulds are hard to find. The RCBS one (one of the only ones out there) is a 150 grain bullet and is too long.
The idea I am toying with is casting 130 gr 7mm bullets (a round nose, gas checked bullet originally for the Spanish Mauser) and then sizing them down to .278 from .284. I was thinking of getting a custom .278 lee sizing die made. This is easy to have done and is MUCH cheaper and easier than designing and having Lee make a custom mould. What thinks the ARFCOM reloading hive mind? Is it possible to size down hard cast bullets that much (.006")? TIA, - AG |
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SAECO has a 140, probably too long. Remember, the GC must not be below the case neck.
Sizing a .284"? Forget it. The GC would end up creased/warped/hammered DS. You would need a base punch that is a .277 cal. cup, then run it through a .284 lubricator/sizer with this base punch, then bump it down in 0.003" increments. Too much work. You COULD try casting them out of zinc in .277". Steel moulds work, just get another pot as lead and zinc don't mix well. Leading eliminated, you could even skip the lubrication, using dry moly if desired. The 150 grain lead would come out in the 95grain range, perfect if you have a 1:9" barrel. |
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Quoted:
SAECO has a 140, probably too long. Remember, the GC must not be below the case neck. Sizing a .284"? Forget it. The GC would end up creased/warped/hammered DS. You would need a base punch that is a .277 cal. cup, then run it through a .284 lubricator/sizer with this base punch, then bump it down in 0.003" increments. Too much work. You COULD try casting them out of zinc in .277". Steel moulds work, just get another pot as lead and zinc don't mix well. Leading eliminated, you could even skip the lubrication, using dry moly if desired. The 150 grain lead would come out in the 95grain range, perfect if you have a 1:9" barrel. Keith, do you know if casting bullets with Zinc will cause them to be undersized? I just found out my 9mm mold is casting at .354 and are underweight by 10%. I have been worried that some of the lead I am using has been contaminated by zinc. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
SAECO has a 140, probably too long. Remember, the GC must not be below the case neck. Sizing a .284"? Forget it. The GC would end up creased/warped/hammered DS. You would need a base punch that is a .277 cal. cup, then run it through a .284 lubricator/sizer with this base punch, then bump it down in 0.003" increments. Too much work. You COULD try casting them out of zinc in .277". Steel moulds work, just get another pot as lead and zinc don't mix well. Leading eliminated, you could even skip the lubrication, using dry moly if desired. The 150 grain lead would come out in the 95grain range, perfect if you have a 1:9" barrel. Keith, do you know if casting bullets with Zinc will cause them to be undersized? I just found out my 9mm mold is casting at .354 and are underweight by 10%. I have been worried that some of the lead I am using has been contaminated by zinc. Zinc in lead makes the bullets look like hammered dog poop. The mould does not fill out properly. Most lead alloys shrink upon cooling. The higher the melting point, the more the shrink. I bet your lead has a lot of antimony in it, this can elevate the melting point and reduce density. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
SAECO has a 140, probably too long. Remember, the GC must not be below the case neck. Sizing a .284"? Forget it. The GC would end up creased/warped/hammered DS. You would need a base punch that is a .277 cal. cup, then run it through a .284 lubricator/sizer with this base punch, then bump it down in 0.003" increments. Too much work. You COULD try casting them out of zinc in .277". Steel moulds work, just get another pot as lead and zinc don't mix well. Leading eliminated, you could even skip the lubrication, using dry moly if desired. The 150 grain lead would come out in the 95grain range, perfect if you have a 1:9" barrel. Keith, do you know if casting bullets with Zinc will cause them to be undersized? I just found out my 9mm mold is casting at .354 and are underweight by 10%. I have been worried that some of the lead I am using has been contaminated by zinc. Zinc in lead makes the bullets look like hammered dog poop. The mould does not fill out properly. Most lead alloys shrink upon cooling. The higher the melting point, the more the shrink. I bet your lead has a lot of antimony in it, this can elevate the melting point and reduce density. That would make perfect sense. Mold fill out has been nice, if not for a few issues occasionally. I really wish I knew exactly what was in the ingots I am currently using. 
Thanks for the info. |
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Custom moulds are not too far out in terms of cost, and would work much better than a radically sized bullet.
Look Here, and check out his online bullet design. 1 cavity aluminum at $75. |
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