Cutting a boolit mould

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#31 Post by **Tommygunn** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 6:51 pm

It looks like a bit of fun tinkering, (even if it doesn't end up as a useable mould!)

Can't help but think you'd be better of knocking up a cherry to suit the bullet profile you need, (plus a bit for shrinkage of course), rather than boring first and adding to it later - rather presumes you've got the indexing/double acting vice sorted first though...

#32 Post by **Alpha1** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:01 am

Iv got a load of bits. We have ground cutters and all sorts of stuff.
Iv got a free day to morrow so I'm going to have a play. I'm going to stoke up the smelter so I have alloy on hand Ill start with wheel weights for now.
(1) I am going to beagle a mould.
(2) I am going to open up a couple of Lee moulds from .312 to .315 I'm not bothered if I screw them up.
(3) I am going to prep a couple of mould blocks. I might even have a go at cutting a mould.

After having been taken through the dark art of grinding cutters I think I might just be able to do this.

I can not wait till I retire to do this all day I need a bigger lathe. I definitely need a Mill I'm going to get one this year that's for sure.

#33 Post by **Tommygunn** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:51 am

Didn't think you could still find wheel weights in lead anymore, (unless you've squirrelled away a store from before they shifted to zinc)

I've beagled a Lee mould myself and it works just fine for me - if I ever find some free time I might have a go at lapping it out properly - nice tip from Dromia there BTW.

I have all the gear, (if no idea), including a production size universal mill - none of which I can use until I get my workshop finished, (need roof, doors, window and power out there to sort it) - though between all the grown up stuff I have to do and looking after my boys, (2 & 4), I might well have to wait until I'm retired to get anything done myself...

#34 Post by **Alpha1** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 1:43 am

I have a shed full of buckets of wheel weights I had a contact that worked in a tyre bay years ago they were all diverted to my shed for a small fee. But you are correct you can not get them anymore. I was also a member of a small bore club lots of years ago I bought lots of the back stop range lead on more than one occasion and smelted it into ingots. I gave up on casting boolits years ago and its just sat there. But now I have more time on my hands well sort off Ill give it a go.
My youngest child is 40 years old Grand Children 11 and 17 years old. I reckon I have a maximum of three years left of working for a living. This year I will buy a MILL next year a bigger lathe. When I retire I will spend my time shooting.
Hand loading (not reloading) Cast boolit shooting. I reckon were I live in the cold North East of England there is a bob or two to be made by some one who can turn out small machining jobs for our shooting buddies enough to cover the cost of powder any way.
But we will see.

Blu · #35 Post by **Blu** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 2:13 am

Alpha1, If you can afford to retire now then my advice for what it's worth is do it now. No one knows what tomorrow brings so live every day like it's your last day. Life is way too short man!

#36 Post by **dromia** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:05 am

Alpha1 wrote:That's a very nice mould Adam and I would buy one but the AIA would not feed that shape boolit. The AIA has a feed ramp and its very boolit shape sensitive. I have had lots of problems chambering cast boolit rounds of the wrong shape.

I see that you have ordered the Ranch Dog 7.62 x 39 mould after all.

http://noebulletmolds.com/smf/index.php ... 587.0.html

If I was getting that mould I'd get the PB version.

#37 Post by **dromia** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:16 am

Blu wrote:Alpha1, If you can afford to retire now then my advice for what it's worth is do it now. No one knows what tomorrow brings so live every day like it's your last day. Life is way too short man!

Absolutely, restring early was the best thing I ever did.

#38 Post by **Alpha1** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:32 pm

Alpha1, If you can afford to retire now then my advice for what it's worth is do it now. No one knows what tomorrow brings so live every day like it's your last day. Life is way too short man!

I know what you mean blu. If I retire now my income will drop I would not have as much spare cash to waste on my hobbies and Iv got a few not just shooting. razz But I wouldn't starve that's for sure. I have never been out of work the thought of not having a job scares me. I can not imagine not having to get up and go into work. The other thing is I like what I do I have never had a job that s ever caused me to think oh do I have to go and do that again. I know I'm just a sad person but I find it difficult even contemplating giving it up.

Alpha1 wrote:

That's a very nice mould Adam and I would buy one but the AIA would not feed that shape boolit. The AIA has a feed ramp and its very boolit shape sensitive. I have had lots of problems chambering cast boolit rounds of the wrong shape.

Adam wrote:

I see that you have ordered the Ranch Dog 7.62 x 39 mould after all.

Yes I thought what the heck if it doesn't work Ill just sell it on. Actually now you mention it I might get the two cavity with one gas check and one plain base. Before I do that advise me why would your preference be the plain base would you not gas check this boolit.

#39 Post by **dromia** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:37 pm

It is not going to be driven that fast being a TL design, the CG and CP are also closer together on the PB.

#40 Post by **Alpha1** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 12:45 pm

I did not realize it was a tumble lube design your post prompted me to re check.

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