For my first time casting... How Did I Do?

[RonsPlc]

Well, after doing some tuning on the Avenger for my cast pellets, (874 ft/sec.) and getting a bit better grain scale, I have a question for those of you that may know.

I was seeing a bit of a variance in the point of impact when reaching out to my 100yd target (mostly in the vertical).

So I decided to weigh, and separate my pellets. I found quite a difference, with the majority coming in at 19.3-19.5gn but they ranged from 19.1 all the way to 20.1gn.

It takes a while to weigh 1200 pellets one at a time!

Is this typical for cast pellets?

Over all I am pleased! These things hit HARD! I put a hole in a cast iron dutch oven lid at 35 yards!

[Back_Roads]

 What I would do is at the end of a casting session, open the mold sideways to keep the pellets in the mold, then when cool enough to handle, weigh each pellet and note what cavity they came from. some pins may need adjusting, or a polish to get the weights more even.

[triggertreat]

Well, after doing some tuning on the Avenger for my cast pellets, (874 ft/sec.) and getting a bit better grain scale, I have a question for those of you that may know.

I was seeing a bit of a variance in the point of impact when reaching out to my 100yd target (mostly in the vertical).

So I decided to weigh, and separate my pellets. I found quite a difference, with the majority coming in at 19.3-19.5gn but they ranged from 19.1 all the way to 20.1gn.

It takes a while to weigh 1200 pellets one at a time!

Is this typical for cast pellets?

Over all I am pleased! These things hit HARD! I put a hole in a cast iron dutch oven lid at 35 yards!

If you only had a one grain difference out of 1,200 casts pellets you should probably get into the ammo making business.   JSB could also use you.  I sorted eight tins (2,407 count) of JSB MKIIs, and the spread was 2.66 grains which I thought was very good compared to other sorts from them.

[Madd Hatter]

What material is the mold made of. I feel brass will give a more consistent weight do to holding the heat better.

[RonsPlc]

What material is the mold made of. I feel brass will give a more consistent weight do to holding the heat better.

It is the brass mold.

[Madd Hatter]

👍👍

[triggertreat]

Brass molds are nice, but you have to be careful about getting them too hot as they can warp more easily than aluminum molds which cool faster.  Keep the brass under 600° and you should be good.

[Wayne52]

Keith I've done a heck of a lot of casting with the brass molds and have yet to warp one

[triggertreat]

Keith I've done a heck of a lot of casting with the brass molds and have yet to warp one

I was quoting from the instructions shipped with mine.  With pressure pouring from a dipper, it is not likely to happen.  If you were to use a Lee gravity pot at a steady pace using high melt temps the brass molds can become very hot without taking breaks or cooling them down with a damp sponge.  Aluminum molds actually work better with the Lee gravity pots in this regard.

[RonsPlc]

For those that claim the NOE hunter round to be effective to a max range of 50yds, I say NOT!
I increased my Avengers power a bit. It is now pushing my cast pellets at 900ft./sec.
I was ringing my 100 yard target (6.5" round steel plate) 8 out of 10 shots!
They stack almost pellet on pellet at 35 yards, and blow THROUGH a 1" deck board at that distance.
I am thrilled at my results so far.

Thank you all for your assistance, and encouragement!

My casting is also getting a LOT better. I set up, and cast for an hour this afternoon (time includes melting the lead).
I ended up with 190 keepers, and 9 rejects!