How long before you dump the Boolits from the Mold ?

I know another question from this guy again
How long before you drop your bullets from the mold ?
I have been holding them in there for about 10 seconds after the puddle frost over.

Boolit Master Join DateSep 2009LocationArizonaPosts749

That is probably long enough. Some times it depends on how hot the lead is. I don't keep track of the seconds, I just watch the puddle as you said. Then cut the sprew as it frosts over.

^Good Advice, that. I don't strictly time my casting but try to run at a 3-4 cast a minute rate. Towards the slow end if I'm casting from a brass mold, towards the fast side if from aluminum. Big boolits cast slower, because they take more time to freeze. Small boolits have to cast faster because they freeze sooner.

_________________________________________________It's not that I can't spell: it is that I can't type.

i cast with 2 molds fill 1 set it aside pour the other set it aside. Empty the first, and fill set it aside, empty the second fill and set it aside , repeat this way the sprue sets up and the boolits are still hot enuff to water drop

With hollowpoint molds I cut the sprue about three to five seconds after freeze. This is after everything is hot and working. Then I wait three to five seconds before opening the mold and dropping the boolits. With a regular mold I cut the sprue and immediately drop the boolits about three seconds after the freeze. I run hollowpoints hotter than regular so they take a little longer.

There is some majic time when, after the sprue puddle has skinned over, that the bullets will drop out easily.

It would be interesting to measure the effect of opening too early and the bullets bending when dropped because they're not yet strong enough.

trk
aka Cat Whisperer
Chief of Smoke, Pulaski Coehorn Works and Winery
N 37.05224 W 80.78133 (front door +/- 15 feet)

Boolit Master Join DateJan 2009LocationMOPosts208

Most of my molds react differently so there is no set time for me. Last night I was casting some .430's in 240 grain and I had to leave them in the mold longer than usual to make the lube grooves smooth and crisp. If I dumped them too soon they were not smooth. Most of my .356's to .358's can be dumped as soon as the sprue freezes.

It's not the destination, it's the journey.

Boolit Mold Join DateMar 2013LocationW. Central INPosts18

Most of my molds react differently so there is no set time for me. Last night I was casting some .430's in 240 grain and I had to leave them in the mold longer than usual to make the lube grooves smooth and crisp. If I dumped them too soon they were not smooth. Most of my .356's to .358's can be dumped as soon as the sprue freezes.With your .430's, about how many pours a minute do you run???

Boolit Master Join DateJan 2009LocationMOPosts208

With your .430's, about how many pours a minute do you run???Well, I've never timed myself but I'm thinking I do about 2 to 4 pours in a minute with a 2 banger. After I got everything going last night I only cast for a little over an hour and I cast out 150 boolits.

It's not the destination, it's the journey.

So with my .30 cal's I should be fine cutting the sprue after frosting and then
waiting 3-4 seconds before opening and water dropping ?

Boolit Master Join DateJan 2009LocationMOPosts208

So with my .30 cal's I should be fine cutting the sprue after frosting and then
waiting 3-4 seconds before opening and water dropping ?Sure will. Actually I've noticed that leaving most bullets a little longer in the mold will make a prettier bullet. The grooves and edges seem to be smoother.

It's not the destination, it's the journey.

Boolit Mold Join DateApr 2013Posts10

thanks for the tip on the .430s some of mine were not crisp enough for my liking(new to this)

The biggest reason for waiting for the sprue to freeze is that it will smear lead on the bottom of the sprue plate and top of the mold if yo don't wait. A little Bullshop's Sprue Lube used according to the directions will allow you to open the mold much sooner and by hand instead of with a mallet. Production goes way up if that's a consideration. It definitely is possible to drop boolits too soon and damage them but there are so many variables that there isn't a set time. This is where practice makes closer to perfect. The variables include mold temp, slightly influenced by melt temp but more influenced by casting rate, boolit weight, shape of the boolit, your alloy, the material of wich the mold is made, how many cavities it has and so on. Nothing trumps a little practice and seat of the pants judgement. IF you don't like the results they are immediately and 100% recyclable.

David

There is only one way of compromising the on Second Amendment. That is when Liberals call for Conservatives to compromise. What they really mean "give up just a little more of your rights just this once"- every time they call for compromise. Molon Labe!

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