GTA

All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Projectiles => Boolit and Pellet Casting => Topic started by: Firewalker on March 07, 2022, 11:30:42 AM

Title: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on March 07, 2022, 11:30:42 AM
Eddie had sent me a little 'sample pack' to try out as I waited for my mold to arrive and they shot very well from my DAR .25 so I decided to really dig in yesterday and show my middle son how to cast slugs. We cast about 1100 of them and about 1/3 were perfectly formed and 2/3 had incomplete fill out at the hollow point edge. Not so bad that they are not useable but I will not use them for hunting none the less.

I am casting using my pellet trap reclaimed lead, mostly CPHP's in there so the lead is not pure. The slugs are dropping right at 0.250" and the DAR has a bore with 0.248" lands and 0.251" grooves. I size all of my castings no matter how well they fit/shoot so I bring them down to 0.249" so that they load in the breech without too much lever pressure but still engage the bore.

I use homemade lanolin sizing spray on the slugs and they do come out very nice but I also was curious as to how powder coating would work in an airgun so I reserved a hundred and ran them through the process. I use Smoke's Traffic Purple, it's momma's favorite color.

I'll post some pix then will come back and add targets at 100y when I get some bench time to show you how they shoot.

Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Greg_E on March 07, 2022, 11:46:35 AM
I am guessing that you wash them after sizing and before PC?
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: customcutter on March 07, 2022, 11:48:59 AM
Looks very good!  Those should show up well if you have a scope cam, not quite florescent but close. ;D
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on March 07, 2022, 11:57:30 AM
Here is a target I put down afield at 310', it's a 7-1/2" skillsaw blade and an 18" metal cutting blade making up the target. You cant see it from the picture but the thin skillsaw blade has significant denting, 1/2" deep in places showing just how much energy those slugs retain at range.

I am just tickled at what I am seeing. I shot those slugs with a 10mph crosswind so hold over was the edge of the small blade but still, most of the hits were inside a small circle and the others were intentional as I was trying to hit clean steel to see the splashes.

I'll get out again today and will tweak the hammer spring a bit to see if I can shrink the groups down a bit. I want to join the NUAH Club so this is my passport!  :o ;)
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on March 07, 2022, 11:59:29 AM
I have that same color PC, but never got around to trying it out. Those slugs look fantastic, and I wish my Eagle Claw had a similar bore to your DAR. Did you shoot the PC slugs or just sized slugs?
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on March 07, 2022, 12:03:20 PM
I am guessing that you wash them after sizing and before PC?

Sorry I didn't explain better, for PC, I take them right from the mold and keep them warm, 120F? then add them to the container with a 1/2 teaspoon of PC and swish them around, put them in the tray and bake them. Then I size them with no lube in the die.

For raw lead, I spray with lube and size, I dont wash the lube off as I am getting good speeds from the lube. I will just run an alcohol patch down the bore then a silicone patch if I get any buildup.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on March 07, 2022, 12:04:51 PM
Looks very good!  Those should show up well if you have a scope cam, not quite florescent but close. ;D

I didn't even think of that! I do have some silver florescent PC that's not very attractive but I bet it would show up well!  :o
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on March 07, 2022, 12:07:48 PM
I have that same color PC, but never got around to trying it out. Those slugs look fantastic, and I wish my Eagle Claw had a similar bore to your DAR. Did you shoot the PC slugs or just sized slugs?

I shot them both but the target was pretty messy when I got to the PC slugs so I couldn't tell if they hit tighter or looser. I will shot some today with my son and see how they do.

What diameter/weight do you shoot? I have a pretty wide variety of PC boolits you could try out.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on March 07, 2022, 12:24:15 PM
I have that same color PC, but never got around to trying it out. Those slugs look fantastic, and I wish my Eagle Claw had a similar bore to your DAR. Did you shoot the PC slugs or just sized slugs?

I shot them both but the target was pretty messy when I got to the PC slugs so I couldn't tell if they hit tighter or looser. I will shot some today with my son and see how they do.

What diameter/weight do you shoot? I have a pretty wide variety of PC boolits you could try out.

My Eagle Claw likes .250-.252" slugs, and weight isn't a big issue with the adjustable poppet, I just don't like going above 45-ish grains since velocity gets slower than slugs like around there. I have a .25 cal NOE BBT slug mold, but haven't had any time to do any casting with it.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on March 07, 2022, 12:51:42 PM
He took it out and shot a mag of the PC slugs and the group was minute of pumpkin! I'll get out and shoot a group later, he is a PB guy and may have been jerking the trigger.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: EdinGa on March 07, 2022, 03:50:08 PM
He took it out and shot a mag of the PC slugs and the group was minute of pumpkin! I'll get out and shoot a group later, he is a PB guy and may have been jerking the trigger.


If you guys want hassle-free powders look for tgic polyester base. Color doesn't seem to matter as long as it isn't yellow. I don't know of anyone that's had great coverage with yellow.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on March 07, 2022, 05:43:41 PM
He took it out and shot a mag of the PC slugs and the group was minute of pumpkin! I'll get out and shoot a group later, he is a PB guy and may have been jerking the trigger.


If you guys want hassle-free powders look for tgic polyester base. Color doesn't seem to matter as long as it isn't yellow. I don't know of anyone that's had great coverage with yellow.

I get all of my PC from Smoke (member here), he tests everything he sells so it all sticks.  ;D

Yupper, I have yellow, it covers about 50% unless you spray it.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: EdinGa on March 07, 2022, 06:55:23 PM
He took it out and shot a mag of the PC slugs and the group was minute of pumpkin! I'll get out and shoot a group later, he is a PB guy and may have been jerking the trigger.


If you guys want hassle-free powders look for tgic polyester base. Color doesn't seem to matter as long as it isn't yellow. I don't know of anyone that's had great coverage with yellow.

I get all of my PC from Smoke (member here), he tests everything he sells so it all sticks.  ;D

Yupper, I have yellow, it covers about 50% unless you spray it.


Yes sir, he sells good stuff. I've bought a lot from a guy called Grmps on cast bullets and The Reloaders Network too. Good prices and tested.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Greg_E on March 08, 2022, 10:08:47 AM
Smoke has a yellow that is almost there, and might be there for people with more experience than I have.

I've been sizing, washing, then PC and size again because I've had too far to squeeze for straight out of mold PC. I've also been drying them with a heat gun which leaves a bit of temperature in them, and it does seem to help with coverage. The last ones I did like this were giant 450 grain .510 rounds for a gun that will not be named. I need to get some .357 and some of the .25 27gr RF cast up since it is looking like a long time until I can get the .510 working (delays again).
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on April 13, 2022, 09:37:34 AM
Smoke has a yellow that is almost there, and might be there for people with more experience than I have.

I've been sizing, washing, then PC and size again because I've had too far to squeeze for straight out of mold PC. I've also been drying them with a heat gun which leaves a bit of temperature in them, and it does seem to help with coverage. The last ones I did like this were giant 450 grain .510 rounds for a gun that will not be named. I need to get some .357 and some of the .25 27gr RF cast up since it is looking like a long time until I can get the .510 working (delays again).

I have tried it both ways with the .25 slugs but I have seen no difference in accuracy so I go straight from the mold to the bucket with a warm (not hot) pile of slugs then add a teaspoon of powder, roll them around and roll them out onto a grill matt and put them into a silicone ice cube tray.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: EdinGa on April 13, 2022, 08:17:37 PM
I powder coat almost everything I shoot. It may be an extra step I don't need but it takes very little effort and I enjoy doing it.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on April 21, 2022, 06:44:09 PM
I bought this mold a few weeks ago and finally got a chance to cast with it. I doubt these will be accurate out of my Eagle Claw in as cast diameter. My mold is a two cavity brass, what do I need to enlarge it by at least 0.002"? I may also try to PC the slugs and have the supplies/materials, but that sounds quite time consuming. Could I add some pure tin to my melt to help "fatten" the slugs? I've been adding recovered H&N, Crosman, Hatsan, NSA, and my own cast ammo to my pure lead for casting, but I can't measure any difference in my cast ammo compared to just pure lead. This slug design is very similar to NSA, and those shoot like a laser out of my Eagle Claw (at least the .250" do), so I would like to figure out how to make this mold work.

I read somewhere on GTA that you can put some polishing compound on the slugs and spin them in the mold with a drill or something. I also saw someone mention using a brass screw in the diameter I want.


One of my HP pins had "the bulge" like others have experienced, but was able to fix it with my drill and sandpaper.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Greg_E on April 21, 2022, 10:00:18 PM
I might try 1% or 2% tin with pure lead. Others have said it helps fill out the mold, and adds very little to the hardness. I haven't tried it yet, but have about half a pound of tin on hand. Not sure if that small of an amount of tin will prevent shrinking.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on April 21, 2022, 11:50:07 PM
I bought this mold a few weeks ago and finally got a chance to cast with it. I doubt these will be accurate out of my Eagle Claw in as cast diameter. My mold is a two cavity brass, what do I need to enlarge it by at least 0.002"? I may also try to PC the slugs and have the supplies/materials, but that sounds quite time consuming. Could I add some pure tin to my melt to help "fatten" the slugs? I've been adding recovered H&N, Crosman, Hatsan, NSA, and my own cast ammo to my pure lead for casting, but I can't measure any difference in my cast ammo compared to just pure lead. This slug design is very similar to NSA, and those shoot like a laser out of my Eagle Claw (at least the .250" do), so I would like to figure out how to make this mold work.

I read somewhere on GTA that you can put some polishing compound on the slugs and spin them in the mold with a drill or something. I also saw someone mention using a brass screw in the diameter I want.


One of my HP pins had "the bulge" like others have experienced, but was able to fix it with my drill and sandpaper.

Correct, Bugling a mold, GO SLOW, check it often!
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on April 22, 2022, 08:09:44 AM
I bought this mold a few weeks ago and finally got a chance to cast with it. I doubt these will be accurate out of my Eagle Claw in as cast diameter. My mold is a two cavity brass, what do I need to enlarge it by at least 0.002"? I may also try to PC the slugs and have the supplies/materials, but that sounds quite time consuming. Could I add some pure tin to my melt to help "fatten" the slugs? I've been adding recovered H&N, Crosman, Hatsan, NSA, and my own cast ammo to my pure lead for casting, but I can't measure any difference in my cast ammo compared to just pure lead. This slug design is very similar to NSA, and those shoot like a laser out of my Eagle Claw (at least the .250" do), so I would like to figure out how to make this mold work.

I read somewhere on GTA that you can put some polishing compound on the slugs and spin them in the mold with a drill or something. I also saw someone mention using a brass screw in the diameter I want.


One of my HP pins had "the bulge" like others have experienced, but was able to fix it with my drill and sandpaper.

Correct, Bugling a mold, GO SLOW, check it often!

What grit or compound do I need? Should I use a brass screw or a slug? I'm 100% new and inexperienced beyond pouring metal into the holes, which I'm also not great at.

edit: I found a good article on mold lapping, and it seems that if I had gotten the mold in aluminum it probably would have dropped larger slugs in the first place.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Greg_E on April 22, 2022, 11:07:02 AM
I would not go anything more abrasive than White Diamond polish that you can get at many auto stores and Walmart, Homedepot, etc. It starts to cut steel really fast, so brass would not take long to polish out 0.001 inch. You could probably use a felt plug to accomplish this task. This is my current favorite to polish barrels, though I sometimes still need more aggressive pastes for buffing wheels. there are a few different options for buffing wheel paste at Harbor Freight, the Black cuts pretty fast, but they have more and less aggressive too, don't remember which color is which, I think green and grey are the other two that I have.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on April 22, 2022, 11:15:44 AM
I would not go anything more abrasive than White Diamond polish that you can get at many auto stores and Walmart, Homedepot, etc. It starts to cut steel really fast, so brass would not take long to polish out 0.001 inch. You could probably use a felt plug to accomplish this task. This is my current favorite to polish barrels, though I sometimes still need more aggressive pastes for buffing wheels. there are a few different options for buffing wheel paste at Harbor Freight, the Black cuts pretty fast, but they have more and less aggressive too, don't remember which color is which, I think green and grey are the other two that I have.

I live an hour from any box store, but I do have a Napa, True Value, and an Advance Auto nearby and I'll be in town today. However, I'm really hesitant to polish/hone/lap the mold myself.

Someone on the NOE forum suggested I add some tin to the melt to get the slugs heavier, but how much tin per pound of pure lead? I don't mind getting a lighter slug and 10-15% lighter would honestly be ideal.

I am basically asking for this formula: X% lead + Y% tin = 85-90% of the weight cast in pure lead. My weight in pure lead is 36.5 grain, and 32-ish grain would put me in the ideal weight for my Eagle Claw.

Being able to size the slugs to .251" would be the best thing for my setup.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Greg_E on April 22, 2022, 12:01:00 PM
20:1 is a common alloy, but for airguns I'm not sure yet. I need to experiment before I can recommend anything because I've messed it up bigtime before. 40:1 might be safer, or even 100:1. Thing is, if you start at 100:1, you can cast a few and decide. If not good toss them back in and add more tin. With 20:1 there is no removing tin so starting with a small amount is probably best.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on April 22, 2022, 12:35:46 PM
20:1 is a common alloy, but for airguns I'm not sure yet. I need to experiment before I can recommend anything because I've messed it up bigtime before. 40:1 might be safer, or even 100:1. Thing is, if you start at 100:1, you can cast a few and decide. If not good toss them back in and add more tin. With 20:1 there is no removing tin so starting with a small amount is probably best.

The few slugs I've cast in pure tin are plenty soft enough to shoot out of the airgun, but they don't deform much when hitting soft materials, and just make flat spots when hitting steel. I need to size them down for my .25 cal Bandito carbine, they are way too big for the bore and load hard. Fair accuracy at 25 yards out of the eagle claw slowed down a bit. Need to do more testing with a scope and sizing to see if I can shrink the group down smaller than 1"

I'll start at 1% and work my way up. I have plenty of recovered pure tin slugs, so easy to add to the mix. 20:1 is still just around 5%.

So 5% of 36.5 is 1.825

36.5 - 1.825 = 34.675 grains of pure lead, leaving that 1.825 5% which is actually 1.1 grains of pure tin. 34.675 + 1.1 = 35.77 or a 2% reduction in weight.

5% tin added to pure lead theoretically brings down the cast weight by 2% according to my math.

25% tin should bring down cast weight by approximately 10%, theoretically. I suspect this may affect accuracy in a negative way, but I don't know for sure. I read on a casting thread where Bob (Rsterne) adds tin to get slugs to a desired weight.

1% tin is probably a negligible difference, less than .5% of the weight, but might be the solution for people that don't want harder slugs. I'll probably start here and move up to 5% if the sizing is still poor. Really I'd like the option to size the slugs down a little bit rather than struggle to get them up to an acceptable as cast size.

I am not opposed to hard slugs by any means, a passthrough is more preferable to me than possibly eating lead fragments or having a slower death for the animal. I wouldn't use the slugs from this mold for hunting anyway, I want to use them for 50+ yard target shooting. For hunting my plan is to use the BBT mold with the huge meplat, basically a semi-wadcutter, but they drop at an appropriate size in lead. I haven't shot any yet, due to weather, but they aren't going to be going as fast as I'd like for shooting at long range. I will size some to .251" and leave some as cast (.2515"+) and see if there is any difference in accuracy.

Really I'd prefer to only cast in lead free metals, but I have only had enough time to cast the .25 42g BBTs in tin so far. I need to order more tin and keep a little bit separate just for adding to lead slugs, but I do have a lot of recovered .177, .22, and .25 off the shelf lead free pellets I plan to melt together and try in my pellet molds. I suspect I won't get any of the slug molds to shoot really tight groups past 25 yards without being primarily lead, but I'm hoping to get at least 2MOA at 50 yards, an acceptable group size for vital shots on medium and large game. Yeah, large game because I'd like to figure out a good lead free alloy that works in my .45 cal Challenger as well. 50 yards max is all I ask for out of lead free. I'm hoping to at least be able to get acceptable groups at 25 yards with my own .25 cal cast tin pellets for dealing with homestead predators, as the only game I really am interested in hunting is deer. Otherwise I'm target shooting, hunting small game has little draw for me.

This post got really long, but my wife is bored to tears when I talk about this 😂🤣
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on April 22, 2022, 02:28:38 PM
Just use metal polish to Beagle your mold. Cast a single slug with the sprue plate opened and have a thin brass rod that's been tinned in the mold, as centered and straight up as possible.

Coat the slug with metal polish, put the slug in the mold but leave it open enough to freely spin the slug.

Start SLOOOW with the drill turning the rod and slowly close the mold.

Do this for a second, clean and repeat after measuring the new slug.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on April 22, 2022, 02:44:05 PM
I will probably contact a machine shop before trying it myself. If these rain clouds ever pass I'm going to try to cast some 20:1 or even 4:1 and see how that goes. If that doesn't work and I can't get a machine shop to help me out I'll just have to do it myself or just PC the slugs and be happy.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Greg_E on April 22, 2022, 03:38:47 PM
Have you looked at Bismuth yet? Not sure what kind of results you'd get though, and not sure if you can use it in aluminum or brass molds, might be steel only (and I forget which you have). I have not tried it, but eventually we better be prepared because lead will eventually be outlawed. Surprised California hasn't outlawed it for airguns yet, like they did for hunting with firearms.

Off topic, but can muzzle loaders still use lead when hunting in California?
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on April 22, 2022, 04:04:52 PM
Have you looked at Bismuth yet? Not sure what kind of results you'd get though, and not sure if you can use it in aluminum or brass molds, might be steel only (and I forget which you have). I have not tried it, but eventually we better be prepared because lead will eventually be outlawed. Surprised California hasn't outlawed it for airguns yet, like they did for hunting with firearms.

Off topic, but can muzzle loaders still use lead when hunting in California?

The bismuth alloys are a bit too hard for air guns, but I've read a review on the Rotometals Amazon listing for their Bismuth based lead free casting alloy that says they had great success with their .457 Texan. It's a bit more dense than tin, and should offer ballistics closer to pure lead.

I just personally don't want to sprinkle lead all over my property, or even in a centralized berm. I do my best to trap and re-use all of the lead I shoot, but I would love to not even have to worry about it at all. Casting in pure tin or lead free alloys is still cheaper than shooting cartridge based guns.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on April 22, 2022, 04:06:21 PM
I will probably contact a machine shop before trying it myself. If these rain clouds ever pass I'm going to try to cast some 20:1 or even 4:1 and see how that goes. If that doesn't work and I can't get a machine shop to help me out I'll just have to do it myself or just PC the slugs and be happy.

DUH! Yes, PC would solve that for you! Why didn't I think of that?  ;)
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on April 22, 2022, 04:19:26 PM
I will probably contact a machine shop before trying it myself. If these rain clouds ever pass I'm going to try to cast some 20:1 or even 4:1 and see how that goes. If that doesn't work and I can't get a machine shop to help me out I'll just have to do it myself or just PC the slugs and be happy.

DUH! Yes, PC would solve that for you! Why didn't I think of that?  ;)

I'm just trying to avoid that, mostly because it's another added step. I guess I could try it today while the threat of rain is too high to risk it casting. I have a box of all the supplies sitting in my attic.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on April 22, 2022, 05:23:29 PM
coated slugs are cooling down now. It wasn't too bad, and the worst part was getting the slugs onto my silicone mat to put in the oven. My oven is also our old countertop convection oven with a super noisy fan, it sounds like it is gas powered 🤣 I feel like eventually that fan will self clearance and quiet down before dying entirely. When that happens I'll get a cheap toaster oven from the local second hand store. I might even be able to use the hard-ish Rotometals Bismuth based casting alloy if I PC everything...
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on April 23, 2022, 06:24:18 PM
I might be a convert to PC. Normally I lube my cast ammo with silicone oil or grease, but I love that the PC slugs are already lubed, not sticky or slick, and they don't make a mess. The slugs that measured .2490-.2495" before coating shot super accurately today. I am waiting on a new chronograph, but I would assume these slugs are moving over 950 FPS since I was doing 990 FPS with 33.5 grain slugs. I would like to be closer to 1000-1050 FPS, but I'll take 950+.

Next time I cast I'll be adding some tin and trying to get the weight down to 33-ish grain and see if they maintain accuracy.

The 40.4 grn 252-42-FN slugs are moving about 850 FPS and hit just a touch low from the 249-39 slugs. I estimate they are moving 850-900 FPS based on performance from a similar slug from an MP mold. These are easy to cast and gave me 1" groups at 25 yards in pure tin. Eventually I'll have a functioning chronograph and can give some actual numbers, but I'm quite pleased with how my cast ammo is turning out.

Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on April 23, 2022, 06:37:05 PM
I don't share this so please keep this a a secret but you can make a lanolin based bullet lube that makes sizing even PC slugs a dream and you don't dimple the base with LEE sizers or ring the points with other sizers.

It also doesn't foul barrels on airguns.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Greg_E on April 23, 2022, 07:11:00 PM
I don't share this so please keep this a a secret but you can make a lanolin based bullet lube that makes sizing even PC slugs a dream and you don't dimple the base with LEE sizers or ring the points with other sizers.

It also doesn't foul barrels on airguns.

You mean something like this https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/lanolin-alcohol-sizing-lube-recipes.6900060/ (https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/lanolin-alcohol-sizing-lube-recipes.6900060/)

I have some other stuff to try, supposed to be like alox but dries so no mess. Was around $26 for 32 ounces which should last a very long time. Probably going to test it on 50 cal rounds that drop right on size.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on April 23, 2022, 11:30:35 PM
I don't share this so please keep this a a secret but you can make a lanolin based bullet lube that makes sizing even PC slugs a dream and you don't dimple the base with LEE sizers or ring the points with other sizers.

It also doesn't foul barrels on airguns.

You mean something like this https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/lanolin-alcohol-sizing-lube-recipes.6900060/ (https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/lanolin-alcohol-sizing-lube-recipes.6900060/)

I have some other stuff to try, supposed to be like alox but dries so no mess. Was around $26 for 32 ounces which should last a very long time. Probably going to test it on 50 cal rounds that drop right on size.

SHOOT! Didn't I say it was a secret? Now everybody will know!  ;D ;)

Yes, that is the old Midway Spray-n-Size lube recipe. It works so well for cases that many of tried it for bullets and it work better than the liquid alox but it cleans off with simple alcohol so you can PC them after cleaning. LA is on FOR GOOD!
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on January 01, 2023, 11:43:55 AM
I cast up a few tins of these yesterday since I had the day off.

I did a real hard cull and tossed a lot back into the pot. I checked the pins and found a loose holder, some spruplate gap and blasted the cavities with brake cleaner. That helped a lot.

Still not getting nose fillout, I hit the base of the mold with the torch, opened up the pour nozzle on the pot and snuggled the mold up to the nozzle just a few mm away and shot lead hard into the cavity.

I got good fillout but some flash around the nose, backed off to 1 cm and got good castings.

I weighed several slugs and found them to hoover at 35.5gr, I then sprayed a light coat of Balistol on them, rolled around on a towel for a second and tinned them up in old CPHP tins.

I pulled the DAR G3 down and while the slugs chamber well, the G3 just doesn't have the beans to push it past 650 FPS and they keyholed on the target.

Off to the rack with the G3, off to the bench with the AEA Varmint, loaded her up and got almost 900 FPS off a full tank.

It took 30 slugs to foul the barrel but I got .25" groups at 10m in the end. 63 fpe will work just fine for those Whistlepigs.  :o
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: EdinGa on January 01, 2023, 11:50:21 AM
I finally (and stubbornly) gave up on my bottom pour pots and dusted off the 4lb pot and ladle. My airgun pellets and slugs have never looked better. I could never get the balance right with the bigger pots.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Back_Roads on January 01, 2023, 11:51:22 AM
 I need to cast up more of them soon, I have enough to hunt with yet, but burned up a bunch shooting them in my Bull Boss yesterday. I have a range hood that I need to setup for my exhaust system before casting again though.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on January 01, 2023, 01:25:43 PM
I need to cast up more of them soon, I have enough to hunt with yet, but burned up a bunch shooting them in my Bull Boss yesterday. I have a range hood that I need to setup for my exhaust system before casting again though.

Thanks for the nudge, I need to set up my vent fan too. I moved the pot to the middle window just to have access to venting but never set it up.

Yesterday's session was the first time I cast with the doors closed and it got very smoky. Probably not good for me.  :o
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: rsterne on January 01, 2023, 01:57:47 PM
For those who weren't in on the original discussion and poll a few months ago, because of the concensus here, Al will be making the next batch of these slugs at 0.251", as they are too small for many guns.... If you need them at 0.249", you can always size them down....

Bob
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: EdinGa on January 01, 2023, 02:00:00 PM
My .25 Stormrider likes them at .250 but my Flashpup shotguns them.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on January 02, 2023, 10:46:02 AM
My .25 Stormrider likes them at .250 but my Flashpup shotguns them.

I am thinking about Beagling this mold out a thou.  :P
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Spacebus on January 02, 2023, 10:58:40 AM
My .25 Stormrider likes them at .250 but my Flashpup shotguns them.

I am thinking about Beagling this mold out a thou.  :P

I was too afraid to do it to mine, so I sold it to another forum member. My Eagle Claw made huge groups with them even after PC and knurling.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: scion19801 on January 03, 2023, 08:00:30 AM
I opened mine up a bit as original size was just a tad small and when cutting sprues, the base was being damaged. Now mine runs well and when I size them back to .249", my impact mk2 loves them. I get accuracy at distance and have been able to reach 208 yards with this slug. I used the green rubber tips for a Dremel. slow and careful attention to detail and you'll get good results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqnv6Dkm-6c&list=PLAts2f3l7MQS9AQG3AvqmgZmBA9foU_5n&index=7 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqnv6Dkm-6c&list=PLAts2f3l7MQS9AQG3AvqmgZmBA9foU_5n&index=7)
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: sicumj on January 09, 2023, 01:20:56 PM
I was just looking at this mold on NOE.  Firewalker have you shot any of these out of a AEA carbine? 

What does the powder coating do for you?  Doesn't it add a thousand or two to the diameter?
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: EdinGa on January 09, 2023, 02:32:26 PM
I was just looking at this mold on NOE.  Firewalker have you shot any of these out of a AEA carbine? 

What does the powder coating do for you?  Doesn't it add a thousand or two to the diameter?


It adds a thousandth or so and keeps the bore clean. I mainly do it because I'm a bullet caster and it's part of my regular process. I've heard it acts like a lubricant but I don't really have any evidence of that.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on January 09, 2023, 04:32:22 PM
I was just looking at this mold on NOE.  Firewalker have you shot any of these out of a AEA carbine? 

What does the powder coating do for you?  Doesn't it add a thousand or two to the diameter?

No, sorry, I only have the Varmint in .25 and a DAR in .25.

My carbine is .22.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on January 09, 2023, 04:33:37 PM
I was just looking at this mold on NOE.  Firewalker have you shot any of these out of a AEA carbine? 

What does the powder coating do for you?  Doesn't it add a thousand or two to the diameter?


It adds a thousandth or so and keeps the bore clean. I mainly do it because I'm a bullet caster and it's part of my regular process. I've heard it acts like a lubricant but I don't really have any evidence of that.

I've PC'd boolits and slugs but not pellets... yet.  ;)
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Insanity on January 09, 2023, 05:21:07 PM
If I had the time you guys have to cast and even PC I would probably get to shoot more.
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Firewalker on January 09, 2023, 08:48:25 PM
If I had the time you guys have to cast and even PC I would probably get to shoot more.

Cheaper than a shrink!  :P
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Back_Roads on January 09, 2023, 09:07:14 PM
If I had the time you guys have to cast and even PC I would probably get to shoot more.

Cheaper than a shrink!  :P

 Hmm wonder if pelets and guns can be claimed on my HSA account, along with range time therapy ???
Title: Re: 249-39-RF-E6 Mold DAR .25
Post by: Insanity on January 09, 2023, 09:37:37 PM
If I had the time you guys have to cast and even PC I would probably get to shoot more.

Cheaper than a shrink!  :P

VA is free but I lose money not working.

If I had the time you guys have to cast and even PC I would probably get to shoot more.

Cheaper than a shrink!  :P

 Hmm wonder if pelets and guns can be claimed on my HSA account, along with range time therapy ???

Try it.