BulletMatch, a Catalog of Cast Bullets

[AJC1]

One of the things about BulletMatch that I've been asked is "Do you measure the bullets or use the dimensional drawings that manufacturers provide?" I always measure and weigh each bullet myself, and record that information. The reason being is that often times the actual bullet will be somewhat different, either due to matching tolerance or alloy shrinkage.

Anytime I have NOE bullets, I reference their sight for some details, particularly their Name Mapping Page, so I can get that correct. It was confusing to me to start with, so I felt adding it to the bullets on BulletMatch would be beneficial to others as well.

I fear your alloy issue will be all over the map. I've never run foundry material so my batches are 20 pounds and try again. My dad had 6 bars of rotometals Lyman #2 and I plan on using that for my first dive into 6mm, the smallest I've cast to date...

 

[Bazoo]

I fear your alloy issue will be all over the map. I've never run foundry material so my batches are 20 pounds and try again. My dad had 6 bars of rotometals Lyman #2 and I plan on using that for my first dive into 6mm, the smallest I've cast to date...

Alloy will change the diameter, but it will only change it .001 one way or the other, and most of the time much less. Pure lead gives the smallest diameter and linotype the largest (of the common casting alloys), with WW alloy being in the middle towards the smaller side. Mould/alloy temperature and casting technique will change the diameter too, with a cooler temperature giving larger diameter bullets.

I know there is some discrepancy there, and the only way around it would be for me to cast all the bullets for which I have samples, using either a standard to me alloy or the specific alloy that moulds are regulated for (if that is known). NOE lists wheel weights on their drawings.

Diameter is not always as listed though, as you saw with the RCBS 30-150-FN; The diameter listed by RCBS was .309 using Linotype, but the bullets I measured were actually .311 using range scrap.

The reason could be that RCBS cuts their moulds larger than specified, it could be that the range scrap used had an abnormally high antimony content and possibly coupled with casting techniques to produce the largest diameter. That's why I asked if anyone else had one of those moulds and could show evidence that the diameter was indicative.

I had a 30-180-FN for a while, and best I recall, I was getting .310 using wheel weight alloy, though It's been quite a while.

Another aspect to consider, because diameter is not the only dimensional measurement that is of interest, alloy variation does not appreciably affect meplat, nose to crimp, bearing length, driving band height, or crimp to base measurements, all of which can be of importance depending on the application.

And that's the reason behind BulletMatch, to provide actual measurements from real bullet samples so people can make informed decisions when purchasing a new mould or bullets from a manufacturer.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Alloy will change the diameter, but it will only change it .001 one way or the other, and most of the time much less. Pure lead gives the smallest diameter and linotype the largest (of the common casting alloys), with WW alloy being in the middle towards the smaller side. Mould/alloy temperature and casting technique will change the diameter too, with a cooler temperature giving larger diameter bullets.

I know there is some discrepancy there, and the only way around it would be for me to cast all the bullets for which I have samples, using either a standard to me alloy or the specific alloy that moulds are regulated for (if that is known). NOE lists wheel weights on their drawings.

Diameter is not always as listed though, as you saw with the RCBS 30-150-FN; The diameter listed by RCBS was .309 using Linotype, but the bullets I measured were actually .311 using range scrap.

The reason could be that RCBS cuts their moulds larger than specified, it could be that the range scrap used had an abnormally high antimony content and possibly coupled with casting techniques to produce the largest diameter. That's why I asked if anyone else had one of those moulds and could show evidence that the diameter was indicative.

I had a 30-180-FN for a while, and best I recall, I was getting .310 using wheel weight alloy, though It's been quite a while.

Another aspect to consider, because diameter is not the only dimensional measurement that is of interest, alloy variation does not appreciably affect meplat, nose to crimp, bearing length, driving band height, or crimp to base measurements, all of which can be of importance depending on the application.

And that's the reason behind BulletMatch, to provide actual measurements from real bullet samples so people can make informed decisions when purchasing a new mould or bullets from a manufacturer.

Be sure to post over on the castboolits.com site. If you’re not a member, join and post.
You’ll be a big hit and very welcomed new member!
Keep up the good work.

 

[Bazoo]

Be sure to post over on the castboolits.com site. If you’re not a member, join and post.
You’ll be a big hit and very welcomed new member!
Keep up the good work.

Thank you sir. I am Bazoo over there too.

 

[Bazoo]

Does anyone know what alloy Lyman specified for the 35887 ?