NOE 250-34-RF-BR3 4 on the way!

[triggertreat]

I finally have this mold on the way!  I got it from a member here, but it is a new one never used.  Can't wait to get some cast for my two .25 cals.

Keep us updated! It's been frustrating not knowing what was going on with mine, but at least I know it will be here in a couple of weeks.

Hope you end up with the hunter mag instead of the Hunter like happened to me. Same thing happened when I ordered the hunter mag. It was supposed to be in stock but wasn't. Talked to Al and he said he would run one the next week. I told him that it could wait until he did a normal run. So a few weeks later I received the mold BUT, it's the hunter not the hunter mag. I decided to just keep it but now wish I hadn't. Oh well,live and learn. It's not because it's not accurate but because I have problems keeping them in the sumatra magazine.

I hope so too. We discussed the fact that it was the longer, heavier 34 grain that I wanted, so hopefully it works out.

They come with a number of different pins.  You'll be able to cast that weight plus some a little heavier.

[EdinGa]

I can tell you that I was impressed with how much time he spent on the phone with me discussing the issues with my order. He was very apologetic and willing to do what he could to make it right. I won't hesitate to do business with him again.

[Madd Hatter]

Yep! He called me on a Sunday to figure out what happened. Like I said, he's swamped.

[triggertreat]

I just finished casting some of these today for the first time to test out.  They look good and fit the FX side-shot mag well.  I'll get them sorted out and sized.  They are running around 34.8gr when spot checking during casting.  Hopefully the Marauder and the FX will like them.

[EdinGa]

Those look great! I can't wait to get my mold and get some dropped.

[triggertreat]

Those look great! I can't wait to get my mold and get some dropped.

Thanks!  They do look good and the heads and cuts are really smooth to the touch.  I cast these at 740° with pure lead.

[EdinGa]

I'm not running a PID, but I've been casting for several years so I think I'll be good without it. I am planning to polish my sprue cutters before I start.

[triggertreat]

I just weight sorted these.  They all came in at 34.xx grains, so I had to sort them by tenths of a grain.  Even though I have the PID controller controlling the lead temperature, I don't have full control over the mold temp itself, especially in aluminum.  So, in the attached image you can see how they played out with the mold temperature changing a bit throughout the casting session.

When starting out there are a small handful that are 34.0 to 34.3 grain as the mold temp started out cooler than later on when the molten lead brought the mold's temperature up more. Once going at a steady pace I started getting more in the range of 34.4 to 34.7 grain.  If I go a long time between pauses the mold gets a bit too hot and I get more in the range of 34.8 to 34.9 grains.  Regardless, they are all 34 grainers and JSB would be very proud of me, lol.  The best they can do on a good day is within two grains on the weights in this range.  Their heavier .30 cal pellets can get much worse for their best tins of them.  Regardless, I hope these do as well as the JSBs.  I know without the PID these results would not be within the same base grain and would vary quite a bit more in weight differences.   With the .250" diameters, I may not have to size these, but that would be a first.  I usually do to be sure, but will try these un-sized to start.

[EdinGa]

I bought the 4 cavity brass mold. This will be my first attempt with brass, but I hear they are more stable once you get them up to temperature.

[triggertreat]

I bought the 4 cavity brass mold. This will be my first attempt with brass, but I hear they are more stable once you get them up to temperature.

Yes, the brass will hold the heat in much better, but be careful with brass molds.  They can warp on you if you get them too hot.  A lightly dampened sponge far away from the molten lead can help you keep its temperature from getting away from you just by touching the mold to it when needed.

[EdinGa]

I keep a folded wet cloth on a table to the side and lower than my pot for cooling my aluminum molds when they get too hot. I usually run my pot around 6 on the dial, but I'll definitely be careful. This will be the most expensive mold I own, and I sure don't want to ruin it.

[triggertreat]

I keep a folded wet cloth on a table to the side and lower than my pot for cooling my aluminum molds when they get too hot. I usually run my pot around 6 on the dial, but I'll definitely be careful. This will be the most expensive mold I own, and I sure don't want to ruin it.

NOE says to keep them under 600° to prevent warping.

[EdinGa]

I've got an infrared thermometer I use to check my molds. I'll keep a close eye on it.

[triggertreat]

I've got an infrared thermometer I use to check my molds. I'll keep a close eye on it.

I'm sure you already know then that 600° would be hard to reach with reasonable casting temps used unless you dip it to long in the pot.  I use a hot plate with my 4-cavity brass mold in .30 caliber.  Also, I had NOE drill it for a probe so I can monitor that one with a digital thermometer.  At least I did back when I was casting at 850°.  I like the 725° to 750° range much better now.

[EdinGa]

I usually run my pot between 700-750 according to my thermometer. I don't think I've ever seen one of my aluminum molds get above 400. I use a hotplate with an old circular saw blade on top of the coils to keep my molds hot.

[EdinGa]

I'm not having much luck so far. My Flashpup is shooting them around 700 fps and they aren't grouping worth a &^^&. This is the best I've been able to do at 15 yards and this was after I powder coated them. It was worse than this with bare lead.

[triggertreat]

That's no good.  What's the heads coming out at?

[EdinGa]

Heads are around 0.253 after the powder coat. Weight is very consistent around 32.89 which seems a little light for this mold. Pencil test put my ingots at 4-5 bhn so it looks like they should be heavier.

[Madd Hatter]

I've got the .22 cal version of your mold and I'm getting hole in hole at 37 yards out of my liberty.

[triggertreat]

Heads are around 0.253 after the powder coat. Weight is very consistent around 32.89 which seems a little light for this mold. Pencil test put my ingots at 4-5 bhn so it looks like they should be heavier.

If you able to size just enough for some testing at anywhere from .249 up to .253, that would give you some idea as to where that barrel likes them at the speeds you want to shoot them.  NOE has some sizing bushing(s) that are reasonable if looking for a cheap sizing source.  If nothing else you'll know all of the heads are the same size, to rule out that factor.