Different alloys?
If I use pure lead in a bullet mold I get a heavier bullet and the smallest diameter bullet from that mold? If I use WW, lino, babbit, Lyman number 2 I'll get different bullet weights and larger diamters?
Not sure where I read this, it sure has stuck with me.
Am I way out in left field on this?
Jim

Different alloys?
If I use pure lead in a bullet mold I get a heavier bullet and the smallest diameter bullet from that mold? If I use WW, lino, babbit, Lyman number 2 I'll get different bullet weights and larger diamters?
Not sure where I read this, it sure has stuck with me.
Am I way out in left field on this?
Jim

Yes, the alloy does change the size of the bullets...some shrink more on cooling than others. General rul would be that the HARDER the alloy, the less the shrinkage.

RCBS claims that if a mold is cut for a 10:1 alloy (lead to tin), and the caliber is .45, Linotype would produce a bullet about .0009" larger, and pure lead about .0017" smaller. Wheel weights have just about the same shrinkage rate as 10:1 alloy (even though they do have things in them besides lead and tin). the numbers are actually a percnetage...so less actual size gained or lost with samllaer diameter slugs.

May as well mention that the weight varies as well. Given the same 10:1 alloy and a 250gr. bullet, if cast from Wheel Weights it would be within +1.5 to +1.7gr....linotype would be - 10.0 to -10.3gr., and lead would be +11 to +11.2gr. Again, it's actually a percentage.

Yep. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook has a complete rundown on this and a table for quick and easy referance.
Pepe Ray

Hey fellows... when I was working with Lee on the custom mold all the changes and the need to study various aspects of the bullet were pretty much driving me crazy. I sat down one evening and put the math in a XLS and it seems to be pretty close to delivering the goods as I was able to keep up during phone conversations with the designer using a program specifically for the drafting purpose. He was impressed with the detail and how close the numbers were.

The column on the far right has the effects of the alloy related to diameter. Enter your diameter in "C7", "Bullet Body Diameter".

Well heck, I thought we could attach XLS files... let's try this...

Cast Dimensions.XLS (http://cuero.nodial.net/~lindareamy/Transfer/castdimensions.xls)

Michael

Ranch Dog
Is the a free standing variation of this program? I don't have XL. I have Quattro.
Jim

Jim,

XLS extensions are MicroSoft Excel. I entered all the formulas myself. Let's see Quattro.... see if this works for you.
Cast Dimensions.wq1 (http://cuero.nodial.net/~lindareamy/Transfer/castdimensions.wq1)

You can download a free Excel viewer here. 3813 K, small by Microsoft's standards. It works on RD's XLS sheet.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=4EB83149-91DA-4110-8595-4A960D3E1C7C&displaylang=EN

Bye
Jack