The MP molds cast some pretty bullets.

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
My 357 handguns and rifles really like that bullet.
 

Brother_Love

Well-Known Member
Thanks, I also see in the photos the penta-pins could use polishing. I see why they hang on for a few extra taps.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Yup...
20200708_184918.jpg

Pour a bigger sprue puddle so the base bands fill out nice and crisp.

Also, examine the bottom of the HP cavities for voids. Cold pins always make big bubble voids, hot pins cast a true impression of the pin. MP pentas always have rough machine marks, dress with file or stone to clean up.
 

jordanka16

Active Member
Engineered weak points so the nose splits into petals as it expands. I've seen some photos showing that with the right alloy, velocity, and test media, it actually works. Other than that it's a gimmick, but a cool one I think.
It does look really cool, I had never seen that before.
 

USSR

Finger Lakes Region of NY
One of my favorite bullets. Just to give you an idea as to what the hollowpoints can do when cast with the right alloy. Bullet in the middle came out of my 2.5" snubbie at 845fps, while the one on the right was doing 940fps (FBI Load).

Don

Hollowpoint Testing.jpg
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Thanks. I heated the mold hotter for this second batch.

The pictures looked to me like that was all that was needed. Quite close but just not there yet with mold temp. Your last pic is a big improvement, fine looking bullets. If you look inside the cavity of your first two pictures in post #1 that doesn't look to me so much like rough pins as it does a cool pin. What causes that look is the alloy is trying to freeze as it flows around the pin. Again quite close but just a little more mold/pin heat as your last pic shows.
 

USSR

Finger Lakes Region of NY
Yes, the penta points do expand nicely. As long as you keep the Sb content low and the Sn content high, you won't have any broken petals.

Don
 

Dale53

Active Member
I learned, early on, that with the extra manipulation requited with Cramer style hollow point molds, that the two cavity molds work better for me. At my age, I can easily cast 20 lbs. of bullets at one setting when using the two cavity molds hollow point molds, but four cavity Cramer stye are too heavy for ME. I tire out too easily. However, Mihec's are made SO well and I always choose a multi-cavity when using solid bullets.

Further, I find that mold release on the tips of the hollow point pins helps greatly with release. I also lightly lubricate the "slider's" and loosen the "slider's" so they self alighn. Those little things can make a big difference in satisfaction and production.

So, for standard molds, in aluminum, I can easily use six cavity molds for great production, Brass or Iron for solid bullets, four cavity work best for me. Under four, production suffers, over four, are just too heavy for me. I have to laugh a bit, as when I was younger, they didn't make a mold that had too many cavities for me (even the old H&G iron ten cavity molds). But, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I rejoice in the fact that I am still casting a reloading (and shooting) at 85! (In minutes, I am leavin for the range as we talk...

FWIW
Dale53