noob question - sprue plates

Boolit Bub Join DateApr 2013LocationMontanaPosts34

My old lyman 2 cav .357 and .457 molds are real easy to cut the sprue - a decent whack with a mallet is all it takes.

The 4 cavity molds - on a lyman 452460 and the NOE 4 cavity 135 gr 9mm mold seem to take a much harder whack - and usually more than one.

Is it ok/not ok/other to rest the mold handle just above the bolt to support the mold handles when whacking the plate? With the mold handles supported it easier to get a good solid hit and seems to take a lot less force than free handing the mold/handles. Wondering if this is the path to destroying a set of mold handles.

I'm using an old wooden headed mallet, must have about a 3" diameter barrel shaped head on it. The mallet face plates are an inset hard red rubber/plastic that is due to be replaced if I can find a suitable face material.

Of course a 4 sprue cut is going to take more force than a 2 sprue cut however there may be some things to look at, particularly time before cutting and sprue plate screw tension.
I cound one thousand, two thousand etc to six then cut with my Lee aluminium.
My lovely new brass CBE mold gets ten thousand then cut.

Sprue plates need to be quite loose, swinging free under their own weight when hot. Starting out I thought i couldn't get that sprue plate tight enough. HOwever if the sprue plate screw is two tight it will skew the plate and I was getting fins around the base of my boolits. A read here and a loosen and lubrication (two stroke oil) to sprue screw and things are much easier.

Never used a mallet on mine, always opened them by hand.

Boolit Buddy Join DateMar 2013LocationI challenge your middle of nowhere, and raise you 5.Posts61

Never used a mallet on mine, always opened them by hand.I learn something new here every day.

What you have been doing seems fine to me. For the Lyman 4 cavity, I usually lay the mold on its side on a small block of wood and wack the sprue plate. Been doing that for about 50 years and still have the moulds and handles.

God Bless America
US Army, NRA Endowment, TSRA Life
SASS, Ruger & Marlin accumulator

open them sooner.
I push my 4 cav's open with my thumb.

it's all an educated guess,,,, till the trigger is pulled.

the more i find out about shootin boolits, the more it contradicts everything i ever learned about shooting jaxketed.

Oh yeah, well I can open my 6 cavity with my little finger....

I use my thumb to open mine, all 5 cavity aluminum.

Doc

Boolit Master Join DateJan 2009LocationMOPosts208

I discovered that if I have to use a mallet to cut the sprue then I've let it cool too much and I'm running too cold. I can cut any of mine with my thumb and the six bangers just slip open.

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

A little Sprue Plate Lube from Bullshop doesn't hurt. I'm a big fan of the product. When I DO use a mallet it's a hammer handle sans hammer head. +1 for opening by gloved hand.

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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Abbreviations used in Reloading
Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt"

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