NOE 250-27-RF

[EdinGa]

you would think ruuning the griz so loose would not work but sometimes what should not does...even with the naked eye have to get light right to see land marks even fainter on other side... they are that loose...

That's why I went ahead and ordered the .249 mold. I figured it was worth a try.

[Greg_E]

I was casting at around 800 degrees so that may not help.

  I really don't think it will help either. I'm pretty sure this entire run of molds is bad.

I think you are right.

[brewbear]

It seems that both the .25 and .22 molds are plagued with this and honestly, I don't know if I should keep chasing the remaining .22 molds I wanted. I started loosing faith in NOE molds but I wholeheartedly hope they will get back on track.

[EdinGa]

I think Matt hit the nail one the head in Wayne's post on the 34 grain mold. CNC machines don't change unless parameters are changed. The only variable is the tooling and worn tooling doesn't cut to the same dimensions.

Al offers more airgun molds than any other manufacturer that I'm aware of. He's an asset to our community, but is subject to the same chaos that's affecting all of our lives. There's no doubt in my mind that he will fix this if we give him time. I'm not the most patient person. I've been complaining a lot about the issues I'm having, but I do think it's important that we identify what's going on and help to get it corrected.

[Back_Roads]

 I have a Hatsan that will take a 257 slug, so there is that No 2 bores are the same, perhaps NOE needs to make their pellet molds drop larger, and supply pellet sizer options to get the perfect pellets

[EdinGa]

The skirts on these are supposed to be .257 but they drop way under that.

[Blowpipe Sam]

I’m hoping he gets this issue resolved. I’d like to start casting pellets.  I already run ball for my muzzle loaders.  I’ve recently moved up to .25 caliber and I’m hoping to find a pellet/mold combination that works in my guns.  This mold and the 22gr wad cutter mold were my first choices but the feedback from this thread has given me pause.

[brewbear]

Al offers more airgun molds than any other manufacturer that I'm aware of. He's an asset to our community, but is subject to the same chaos that's affecting all of our lives. There's no doubt in my mind that he will fix this if we give him time. I'm not the most patient person. I've been complaining a lot about the issues I'm having, but I do think it's important that we identify what's going on and help to get it corrected.

I totally agree with you, Al is a huge asset to the air rifle community and he needs our support. I believe that he will take steps to correct these issues it it just the frustration I had after waiting, and waiting and finally getting the mold to cast a handful of pellets only to see them dribble out the muzzle end.

I’m hoping he gets this issue resolved. I’d like to start casting pellets.  I already run ball for my muzzle loaders.  I’ve recently moved up to .25 caliber and I’m hoping to find a pellet/mold combination that works in my guns.  This mold and the 22gr wad cutter mold were my first choices but the feedback from this thread has given me pause.

Don't be disheartened, the issues will be fixed and things will get back on track. I have NOE's .22 hunter mold and it is a very good one, it is why I bought the .22 magnum molds. The waiting is a killer but once things get fixed, it will be well worth it. I also have the MP mold for 5.52 mm slugs but the cast is a bit too long to fit in Umarex magazines so it is single shot for those...

[Madd Hatter]

Both of my.22 pellet molds work really good in my liberty but it has a tight bore so if the skirts are under size it would be ok. I don't know what the bore of my sentry is yet and no one has posted their findings from slugging the.25 cal barrel. I know I can't use the.25 cal Hunter pellets in my Sumatra mags because of the shirt diameter being under sized but have no problem with h$n cudas or jab 34 grain MK2.

[Greg_E]

I did a little rough measuring last night, and it seems only one half of the mold is wrong for mine. Makes it a little easier for me to fix. I should probably call and ask permission to attempt repair, and return only if I can't make a repair. Probably better for him because it presents the possibility that I might fix it.

The odd part is that the heads are good at .250 measured at the parting line, and 90 degrees to the line.

The skirts are around .257 at the parting line, and .252 at 90 degrees.

Not too many errors that can allow this to happen, but I think something that can be polished to a good fix. I'm guessing a fixturing error that allowed one block to tip a couple thousandths out. All my pellets are light with what I believe to be pure lead, by almost a grain. More testing needed, going to melt everything and start over with an alloy.

[Madd Hatter]

If the block itself isn't perfectly square or there is a slightest chip in the jig or vice it will cause what happened to your mold.

[EdinGa]

I have a new stock .225 mold that's great, so I'm wondering if it's just the cherries for the pellet molds that are worn. It seems Iike demand has been really high for them.

[Nvreloader]

Guys
Since Ed started this post, I hope he won't mind,
(to keep most of the info in the same post, and be easy to find etc,)
if I add some info on this pellet sizing project, I have been working on,
to adapt NOE sizer bushings to better fit what I want to do etc.

I am just about finished up with the reamer spec's/drawing to use on the NOE size bushings,
to head size (up or down), and or expand the skirts sizes up to fit most barrel bores,
in the 22 and 25 calibers, all in 1 bushing for each caliber, that will fit my pellet press etc.

I'll post the info in this section,
before sending the spec's/drawings to D Kiff at PTG for grinding of the reamer etc.

With the help of very dictated member here, THANK YOU.   
I won't divulge his name, as too NOT put any more burdens in his world etc.

If he wants to step up to the plate, he may do so without his help, I don't think KNOW,
I couldn't have finished this project, except for the very rough drawings, I started etc.

Don

[EdinGa]

Guys
Since Ed started this post, I hope he won't mind,
(to keep most of the info in the same post, and be easy to find etc,)
if I add some info on this pellet sizing project, I have been working on,
to adapt NOE sizer bushings to better fit what I want to do etc.

I am just about finished up with the reamer spec's/drawing to use on the NOE size bushings,
to head size (up or down), and or expand the skirts sizes up to fit most barrel bores,
in the 22 and 25 calibers, all in 1 bushing for each caliber, that will fit my pellet press etc.

I'll post the info in this section,
before sending the spec's/drawings to D Kiff at PTG for grinding of the reamer etc.

With the help of very dictated member here, THANK YOU.   
I won't divulge his name, as too NOT put any more burdens in his world etc.

If he wants to step up to the plate, he may do so without his help, I don't think KNOW,
I couldn't have finished this project, except for the very rough drawings, I started etc.

Don

I don't mind at all. I'm here to learn and grow in understanding of this new territory. Casting pellets is a whole new world.

My wife had a setback last week, but she's doing better now, so I hope to get those pellets in the mail to you soon.

[Nvreloader]

Thanks Ed

No big hurry, I am getting to know set backs, up close and personally lately......
I have been grounded on a 8' tethered plastic hose/bag combo, so I have to be very careful,
or there is will be LOTS of pain in the center of mass......LOL,

I think know my VA Dr thinks I am crazy, (nothing new there),
they are the ones telling me to go do it........... instead of just sitting around,
and when I show back up, needing help/supplies etc, she just rolls her eyes.........LOL
and gives me that "You Dummy look".

Back to the regular programming, 

Since I have been reading lots of posts stating that XYZ pellets don't shoot accurately etc,
I thought, I would go this route and see if the accuracy couldn't be improved for most pellets etc.
IHMO, if the head and skirt diameters are properly sized for THAT BARREL,
then you should have decent accuracy within reason,
providing the bbl twist rate and horsepower is correct for the rifle/pellet combo etc.

I know, that I can get the cheap CMHP pellets to shoot within minute of Hosp at 45-50yds,
(I am not a great target shooter), with most all the 22 cal AG's around here,
that have SSG installed, and both ends of the pellet are sized for that bbl etc.

I really believe that with this option done to the NOE sizer bushings in the 25 calibers,
accuracy will be improved, and if that information and testing results, bears out to be correct,
I can see 22 and 17 bushing also converted in my arsenal to get the most accuracy possible.........
from most all calibers/pellets etc.

BUT, "Speeds fine, but accuracy is Final".

Tia,
Don

[EdinGa]

I've been casting bullets long enough to know that accuracy improves when I size them in most cases. For this reason, I've always liked my molds to drop fatter than spec. It stands to reason that pellets should also benefit.  I know the process is more complex due to head and skirt size difference, so I'll be following your work with interest.

[Greg_E]

Had a few minutes before work this morning and grabbed my calipers... Found one that must have been from the 800 degree batch, head size was 251 or 252 and some level of alloy because they test harder than pure lead. The skirts were interesting. I got .257 one way and .262 90 degrees. I also measured the rough thickness of the skirt in 4 points (90 degrees each) and found that I was getting 0.039 at all 4 points...

If the skirt is the same thickness and we assume the pin is actually round (haven't checked this yet), then can we assume that the skirt is getting bent while being dropped out of the mold?

These were casting at around a BHN of 10 (need to buy from a better source) with the pencil style testing. Should have been plenty hard to drop on there nose into an aluminum pan with an old T shirt for a cushion. I don't get deformation when I drop 125gr hollow point rounds on their noses into the same tray from the same alloy (did a few that night and quit because I didn't like the results).

Still going to melt all this stuff down and try at higher (all 800 F) and see what happens. Need to check the pins and see why I'm getting little fins of flashing around the outside edge of the skirts on one side (both pellets too). Might be from the pressure pouring, something that needs checking. Need to find a little laboratory hot plate to help too.

[Wayne52]

I still haven't tried out my temperature controled 4lb Lee pot yet, I probably will when I try adding tin again sometime.  Everything that I cast is with pure lead with a 4BHN.

[Nvreloader]

Guys
Here is photo of the drawing showing a 27gr NOE pellet in the sizing die, to fit my pellet sizing press.
Click on the photo and it will enlarge.

Any questions or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Tia,
Don

[EdinGa]

Looks perfect to me! I'd buy a multi caliber set of those for sure.