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Post by nolongcolt on May 14, 2016 13:13:30 GMT -5
I recently received a shipment of lead bullets in the RCBS 270 SAA style from a commercial caster. Bullets look pretty good, red wax lube. However upon weighing them they vary in weight from 292 to nearly 295 grs! Supposed to be around 270 right? I understand that weights can and do vary but nearly 25 grs seems a little excessive doesn't it? One would need to load these as 300 grs. I have emailed the maker about it.
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JSilva
.30 Stingray
Posts: 184 
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Post by JSilva on May 14, 2016 13:19:57 GMT -5
When I cast very low alloy bullets, I see similar results with bullet weight. Maybe the maker made a mistake with the alloy.
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COR
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,522
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Post by COR on May 14, 2016 13:22:31 GMT -5
That isn't surprising for that mold at all depending on the alloy, mine goes 285grs.... Keep in mind that "270" is just an assigned number and doesn't necessarily guarantee the weight. I have various 429421 molds done years apart by Lyman and all differ in weight. Some even have slightly thinner front bands.
Now if the caster guaranteed the weight all bets are off. I also have a "sized up" version of the 270SAA that goes 305 and it shoots great. I'd use the plentiful 300gr .45 data and gas on it.
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Post by nolongcolt on May 14, 2016 13:27:09 GMT -5
These are marked as .452 but actually measure closer to .451 which is fine for Ruger tight throats. I don't believe there is any weight guarantee involved. I just thought perhaps that much difference was unusual. Maybe not.
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ericp
.327 Meteor
Posts: 504
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Post by ericp on May 14, 2016 14:53:51 GMT -5
I believe RCBS denotes the weight on their bullet designs as poured of linotype. When you, or a commercial caster, use a softer (closer to pure lead) alloy the bullets come out heavier than their nominal weight. My 41-210 SWC casts bullets that weigh 221grs with wheelweights, the 45-255 KT comes out over 270grs.
This is less pronounced with other companies like Lyman as they use No.2 alloy for their listed weights. Not sure what Saeco or Lee uses but NOE uses wheelweights for their house designs.
Eric
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snappy
.30 Stingray
Posts: 421
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Post by snappy on May 14, 2016 15:08:43 GMT -5
I have a Miha version of the SAA 270 mold. They also drop 285grs - 288grs with soft range scrap.
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Post by bulasteve on May 14, 2016 15:30:40 GMT -5
I'd only be concerned if there was a lot of variation amongst the bullets. I have some Kieth-style .358 bullets that weigh 178grs on my scale, not a problem. I have some old bullets from the '80's from Nat'l Bullet that were to be 300grs that weigh 284grs.. Adjust powder charge and keep shooting !
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Post by nolongcolt on May 14, 2016 17:07:30 GMT -5
Thanks for all the posts. None who have responded had a difference in weights like I am seeing with these bullets.
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Post by lscg on May 14, 2016 21:14:16 GMT -5
did you get them from Matt's? I didn't weigh the ones I got from him but they were all dinged up which lead me to think they were a little soft and probably a little heavier.
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Post by nolongcolt on May 14, 2016 21:22:02 GMT -5
No, Western.
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Post by mike454 on May 15, 2016 6:45:54 GMT -5
I've gotten those bullets from a few different casters and they always weighed closer to 290 than 270. usually right around 285.
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Post by paul105 on May 15, 2016 10:14:57 GMT -5
I have that same bullet (270gr SAA) that I got from Western four or five years ago. I just weighed one and it was 281gr.
Also have some Lee 440gr .501s from Western that I bought in the last two years or so -- they weigh 465gr +-.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it.
Paul
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Post by Cholla on May 16, 2016 4:29:58 GMT -5
Some example of bullets from my RCBS moulds:
40-180: 192 - 193 gr.
44-250 KT: 258-260 gr.
45-250 FN: 262 gr.
45-255: 265 gr.
I have the Miha/MP version of the 45-270 mould and non-HP bullets weigh 290 grs. Remember that if you're buying from a commercial caster, he probably is using a custom mould and not an actual RCBS mould.
I personally would much, much rather have bullets that are a little heavier than expected. The beauty of loading cast bullets is they're very, very flexible and heavier bullets can normally be loaded with the same data as lighter bullets of the same style.
For example, loading my 38-40, using a 178 gr. bullet from and Lyman mould and a 192 gr. from an RCBS mould, velocities were virtually identical with the same charge of Power Pistol. I don't have the data in front of me, but I've found this to be the case when loading the 45 Colt and bullets in the 265 - 285 gr. range.
Cholla
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Post by bagdadjoe on May 16, 2016 6:42:11 GMT -5
My Mihec mould throws 'em a bit pudgy too.
I think most do. Still love these bullets!
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Post by nolongcolt on May 17, 2016 10:00:45 GMT -5
Yeah, but again, none of you have mentioned anything over about 10-15 grs over. These are 20-25 grs over! I am in contact with Western, they are going to take them back and send me some that are closer to spec.
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