First Lyman "Big Boy" mold experience

[oscarflytyer]

so, finally cast with the Lyman 454190 that I bought out of the estate that Glen was helping with. Big 4C steel. Only one like it I have. Feeding the beast will keep you on your toes. Need a bigger pot (I hand dip)! Using 20:1 alloy. Took some time to get up to temp, and likes to run relatively warm (~700 F). But once it gets going, it goes! Very happy with it. Haven't counted, but managed prob close to 500 first session. Haven't mic'd or sized or anything yet. But sure makes some nice bullets once you figure it out. And a 4C is great!

 

[S Mac]

Are you using nutcracker handles? They are hard for me to get used to.

 

[uncle jimbo]

No pictures. What the hell!

 

[fiver]

after using a couple of pairs of those handles they should be renamed knuckle cracker handles.
they always get me on the middle knuckle on my ring finger when I hit the hinge pin.

 

[Ian]

If you measure those bullets and find they are hour-glass shaped, try pouring more extra metal to keep the sprue washed-out for a few seconds before forming the puddle over each cavity. When the mould starts to get good and hot the bullets tend to shrink in the middle if the sprue sets too soon. 20:1 ain't so bad because it doesn't get slushy with antimony/tin crystals that plug up the flow of metal through the sprue hole.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Thanx Ian. Have to check that. I did have an issue with the bottom band filling out completely tho. But as it got real hot it worked fine most pours.

 

[oscarflytyer]

btw - not using nutcracker handles. Saw those, and looked like no fun. Guess I was right.

So, now, a question - what SHOULD this mold drop 20:1 alloy, size wise?!!? Mine (after rolling them in 45/45/10 lube - and I didn't 'unlube' any) are mic'ing b/n .459-.461! and dang hard to push thru the 452 sizer! I could use these unsized in my Marlin 45-70 MG! I read in a review they would work 455-452. But its a push to go down almost .010 from cast... Thoughts?

 

[fiver]

it was designed for the 45 colt back when they were black powder pistols and had umm 'generous' tolerances 455-6 would be about right since the guns [barrels] were supposed to be 454.[snicker]
there ain't a crimp groove cause they are supposed to sit on a case full of black powder.
the original alloy was 40-1 BTW.

 

[Ian]

Yup, 40:1. My mould makes just over .451" with that alloy, which essentially makes it worthless for its intended purpose.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Yup, 40:1. My mould makes just over .451" with that alloy, which essentially makes it worthless for its intended purpose.

Ian - so... you need a Fattie - like mine? I can use one that would drop 20:1 @ .453-.455... maybe a swap?

 

[Ian]

Mine is just perfect for smokeless powder with WW alloy, and I don't shoot BP in my .45s, so I'm going to hang on to it for now. It's just an example of the undersized Lymanitis where the mould SHOULD make .454+ with the CORRECT alloy for the style of bullet. Sounds like what you need is an AR with a .458 Socom barrel and bolt on it!

 

[fiver]

that would make a good lightweight 45-70 mold.
I don't think even coating the cavity's with some of that mold release stuff would get this one down to 454.

 

[smokeywolf]

Originally 45 Colt chambered firearms were sized .454 across the grooves. So, the 454190 bullet was originally meant to be sized to .455-.456. In the early 1940s 45 Colt chambered firearms had diameters across the grooves reduced to .452.

 

[oscarflytyer]

that would make a good lightweight 45-70 mold.
I don't think even coating the cavity's with some of that mold release stuff would get this one down to 454.

Seriously thinking about this! Would be a heckova rabbit gun! lol!

I ordered a 454 sizer. We'll see... Also need to relook the mold and make sure not a slight smudge b/n the blocks that caused this batch to throw big...

 

[oscarflytyer]

bumped them thru a Lee .454 sizer tonight. Much closer fit. Out of ~250, only about 1/2 dozen were a tough bump thru )so odd ball fatties!). And most weren't completely "shined" after sizing. Bet .454 will shoot as well as/better than .452 in the Clone. And bet Ruger FT won't care!

Prior to next cast session, I will make sure no slag that is beagling the mold...