I am about to order a new mold. What alloy should I use?

[Rockydoc]

I am about to order a clone of the Saeco #348 double ended wadcutter from Tom at Accurate. In order to get "as cast" repeatable performance I am planning to use alloy from Rotometals rather than a hodgepodge of scrap metal. I need to tell Tom what metal I am going to use.

Any suggestions as to what that alloy should be? If I could use only one alloy for everything, wadcutters for revolver, pistol caliber carbine (Win 92) and Powder Coated bullets for 30-30 and 35 Remington, what would it be? 30 to 1?

What do you think?

 

[JonB]

I'm not gonna say what the one alloy to use in everything, but for 38 Spl WC, 30:1 seems good to me...maybe even 40:1 or 50:1

 

[fiver]

i use something close to 1-3-96. [maybe 1.5-2.5 with a little copper and zinc?]

it simply works for me since i make it work through load development.

 

[JustJim]

I like 30:1, but I have it around anyhow for the 45-70. It gives similar results to the alloy I used in competition eons ago.

 

[Jeff H]

I don't know Tom, but if I were ordering from him and had the same question, I'd ask Tom.

I've heard nothing but good about the man and I'd bet he'd be able to tell you which alloys were close in terms of as-cast size.

Aside from getting the mould you need, you would have a chance to start a valuable relationship with someone who seems to be a pretty good fella.

I say this based on my utter ignorance of alloys, as my own "alloys" are what I'd refer to as "mongrel alloys," which means whatever I can find to make bullets out of. MOST of my alloy is MOSTLY wheel weights, but that's not very specific.

 

[Ian]

Half #2 (2.5/2.5/95) is really good but mostly I use something more like 1/2/97 or 2/2/96 or thereabouts. Does everything I need it to.

Rotometals sells this stuff, on sale at the moment, and you can just add a bit of tin to it to make whatever you need. Consider it "wheelweights" for purposes of ordering a mould from Tom.

~2-3% Antimony Lead Mini Ingot = ~ 1 Pound-Mix sizes

sales@rotometals.com

www.rotometals.com

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I agree with JeffH, I think the man to ask is Tom.
You may need to do that via e-mail. (per his own instructions)

I have a few molds from Accurate and his work is TOP NOTCH!

If I was a betting man, I would say 30:1 would be an excellent alloy for a consistent WC. (but a bit pricy)

I use a 5 to 1 pure lead to Linotype ratio which yields a BHn of 10.6. Now, that means I have more than just lead and tin in my alloy but a BHn between 10-11 works for a LOT of revolver loads.
A 30:1 lead/tin alloy is about a BHn of 9 (according to Rotometals' website)

 

[Winelover]

I mostly use a 3 to 1 linotype ratio with metals purchased from Roto Metals in 5 pound bars. Why? Because all my pots are a minimum of 20 pounds. Four bars fit in an empty pot, with little room to spare. BHN, tested on a LBT tester, comes to around 14-15 BHN. Pure lead is also the cheapest!

Only time I use a soft alloy, like 20-1, is for making HP's or soft hunting solids. Then I take four bars (20#'s) of pure lead and add a one-pound roll of 95-5 plumbing solder.

 

[popper]

All of my molds are from Tom and results are always good if I do my part. I specify mold design (dimensions, etc), WW alloy, then play with size to get best results. Too many variables in casting to get exact size. Attempts to buy a specified alloy from Roto is going to be expensive. I got their antimonial lead, Sb content varied too much. Last time I ordered, got some tin, superhard and pure. Mix my own (alloy calc). Still have most of the tin as I don't use it anymore.