56/56

[shilohdiver]

I have a friend who has a 1 cavity aluminum custom mold by Accurate Molds for 56-56 Spencer
Length .748
heel diameter .514
bullet Diameter .540 flat point

75.00 shipped....I have pictures but don't know how to attach. If interested message me and ill get the Sellars phone number to you...

[El Supremo]

Hello, Shilohdiver:

Please share the mould number.

Thanks,
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[shilohdiver]

54-310A.   370 grains....My friend has had excellent results with this mold...he ended up with two after the purchase process.

[El Supremo]

Hello, again:
The Accurate Catalog indicates a bullet weight of 310 gr, which matches the 310 on the mold.
Smiles.
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[shilohdiver]

thank you sir..I will pass the information along...I do know when he cast a few bullets and weighed them they were heavier than 310...do you have any reason there would be such a difference...I do know we compared weights for my 56-50 bullets I cast and his 56-56

[El Supremo]

Hello:

The Accurate Bullet Molds website indicates it uses a common bullet metal alloy. Using another alloy, pure lead or mystery metal will change the as-cast bullet weight. Casting apparatus, casting technique, metal temperature and the actual vs drawing diameter of the mould cavity matter. For a 50/51 caliber, approx. 320 gr bullet, using pure lead vs a lead tin alloy, along with a thou in diameter variation can change weight five or more grains. A catalog weight is usually plus/minus a few grains because of small differences in machining the cavity. Using an el-cheapo digital scale adds more variation from its load cell's tolerance.  Weigh the same bullet five times to see the scale's range. 

My experience with Spencer bullets indicates a weight range of three grains is insignificant out to 100 yards IF they have no wrinkles and the base edges are not damaged.  Dropping bullets onto hard surfaces and storing them loosely in bags/boxes should be avoided. Base edge damage matters more than a couple grains weight range over a casting run.

A definitive reference and resource is the NRA's book, CAST BULLETS, by Col. E. H. Harrison. Though out of print, AMAZON has listed reasonably priced copies. 

Smiles,
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny

[Arizona Trooper]

Take a look at the dimension drawings of 54-310A and 54-370A. They are virtually the same. The 310A appeared in the catalog a week or so after I sent in a Spencer bullet sketch and it pretty much matches the drawing. It appears two were sold almost as soon as it went up. A month or so later I got an email saying my design was up as the 54-370A and asked if I approved, which I did. I suspect that they built and posted the cut file twice by accident, with two different numbers. When the 370A arrived I cast up a bunch. (They do weigh a hair over 370 grains) They feed through the loose chamber rifle, but still hang up in the tight chamber, so the quest for a bullet that works in both continues.

Interesting the catalog says there are 0 sold. I have one.

Glad to hear it's working for your friend.

[El Supremo]

Thanks and big smiles, Arizona Trooper:

Seems mold maker typo's should amusingly be added to the list of weight variation factors. 

FWIW, I had three identically numbered and same as-cast weight, single cavity, cherry cut mould blocks by another maker. Each presented visible and significant profile differences, with only one being suitably accurate. Hint: 515XXX.

Accurate's Catalog also omits some designs at the request of the customer. 

All the best,
El Supremo/Kevin Tinny