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My new pot arrived on Monday, however the casing on the control box had been dented and pierced in transit despite it being properly packaged, then again Stephan does use Herpes which has to be the worst of all our crap, not fit for purpose deliverers. More worrying than the dent was the rattling coming from inside the console

Took a couple of photos sent them of to Stephan proposing that I open the console and have a peek inside to try and assess any damage before filling with lead a turning on, the PID controller was proud of the casing bezel at the top and I was just hoping that the retaining clip had come off when Herpes has attacked it. Stephan said go ahead.

So this morning I opened it up and sure enough the only damage that I could see was the sprung retaining clip, popped it back in place, re-aligned the PID, replaced the cover, bashed out most of the damage to the top cover, changed the plug, positioned her on the bench, loaded up with 35lbs of lead and a smidgen of tin, plugged it in and hit the switch all the proper lights came on so I set the PID to 850 degrees, warming switch set to 2 and then set about preparing some moulds and getting them heated up on the hot plate. About 3/4s of an hour later the melt was up to temp fluxed and ready to go, it will only take 20-30 minutes in future to get up to temp, it is only when you are starting with an empty pot and ingots that you need to put the heat cycling on so that the pot doesn't overheat where there is no alloy touching the sides.

I cast some RCBS Minies, 44/40s and some 0.690" round ball for the cannon and the Brown Bess using a 1lb Rowel ladle. The bullets look very good indeed but eventually only the scales and the target will tell, usually when dipping my reject rate is around 10%.

Anyway pictures are supposed to be better than words so here we go with her set up next to her brother.
























Happy bunny or what???



Phwoarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

Dromia, your post has actually got me thinking about a rig to shoot cast bullets.....................can you suggest a rifle to shoot to 600yds with reasonable, say 2 MOA, accuracy?
I'm not interested in gallery or muzzle loading.

Pete

Anything in 30 calibre will do the job really, there is just such a good selection of designs and weights that it is easy enough to find a suitable bullet to fit the particular rifle.

Favourite cast bullet calibres are the 303, 30/30, 7,62 x 54R, 7.92 x 57, 30-06, 7 x 57, all cartridges can use cast well but for easy load development avoid cartridges with short necks if at all possible. once you start getting below .284" then there are added complications

For 600 hundred yards a velocity of 1800-1900 fps is all you need, get the bullet fit right for the gun, don't use a hard alloy, good bullet QC, careful handloading and a decent lube and you will easily achieve your goal given a sound firearm.

Looks the business. Enjoy.

Very tidy!

What about twist rate and no of grooves? Smallbore barrels are usually from 1:15 to 1:17, presumably to lower the spin acceleration rate to minimise stripping lead off the bullet. I imagine a harder alloy than that used for 22RF bullets would be required. I'm guessing that's why you mentioned tin. Could antimonial lead be used?
And finally, would a 308 barrel in 1:11 work?

Pete

I would avoid antimonial lead like the plague unless you have perfect bullet fit.

The tin is for castability it adds little hardness, you do not want hard bullets you want tough bullets.

At below 2000 fps most soft alloys will work with good bullet fit, your 308 1:11 will work. Gas checks are used to strengthen the bullet in the rifling, they don't really check any gas.

Number of grooves seem irrelevant, my 2 groove A3-03 Springfield hovers @ 1" 100 yrd groups all day if I do my bit as does my Lee Metford.

Bullet to throat fit is the key, before starting on the cast bullet route you must take a good chamber/freebore/bore/groove cast of the intended rifle, if you don't do that you are just guessing and success is a lottery.

Dromia, thanks for the info...........I might give it a go in my Swing.

Pete

A lovely looking system, shame about My Herpes playing football with it...

Stephan is sending me a new lid.