Variance in gr. weight in cast bullets...

[Shooter_55]

What is an acceptable variance in a lead cast bullet? I just received some .452 - 45LC supposedly 250gr lead bullets and they look pretty rough and have a variance gr. weight between 256gr and 265gr. Couldn't find one close to an actual 250gr. I am used to loading other calibers in copper jackets and have never had any vary more than 0.2gr. at the very most. Am I expecting too much or are these that bad?
Any help is appreciated.

[Kid Sopris]

I don't know the source of your bullets but that is unacceptable in my book.

[cfllwsgn]

wow, i'm with the Kid

[Oyeboten]

Sounds like who ever was Casting them, was inexperienced...and or was not keeping their Molten Metal well stirred ( to keep the Alloy homogeneous lest the lighter elements gravitate to the top, and, the heavier, to the bottom ), and or the Lead ( or Lead Alloy ) was not filling the Mold properly, and or the Mold was not closing all the way, to boot.


Post some images of the Bullets so we can see how they look.

[Shooter_55]

Sounds like who ever was Casting them, was inexperienced...and or was not keeping their Molten Metal well stirred ( to keep the Alloy homogeneous lest the lighter elements gravitate to the top, and, the heavier, to the bottom ), and or the Lead ( or Lead Alloy ) was not filling the Mold properly, and or the Mold was not closing all the way, to boot.


Post some images of the Bullets so we can see how they look.

,
Here are some images. I don't want to divulge who the makers is as he has agreed to taking these back and refunding my money and I want to see if he follows through. (am out the shipping charge) These were purchased off of gunbroker and in fairness, he did state the following:

"This auction is for 500 lead alloy (RNFP) round nose flat point 250gr hard cast bullets for 45 Colt. They are sized to .452 and lubed; BHN is approx. 19-21. Great for all around shooting, but perfect for cowboy action shooting because of flat point they can safely be used in lever action rifles with a tube magazine. These are projectiles only, NOT loaded ammunition. These are a standard/economy grade bullet for the price minded shooter."

I guess I learned again that you get what you pay for, but was relying on at least the 250gr. being an accurate reference. He responded that he has sold 10's of thousands to satisfied customers, which pretty much bears out on his customer feedback section (only 3 disgruntled responses), but apparently they are the majority of Cowboy Action shooters using them for steel at close range. He did not say that these were for precision shooting, so I can't say there was any misrepresentation there. I will keep you posted as to how this settles out. I appreciate the responses and am glad that I validated that I am not necessarily requiring more than should be expected.
IMG_0179.jpgIMG_0173.jpgIMG_0149.jpgIMG_0141.jpg

[Kid Sopris]

I don't know any cowboy Action Shooters using bullets that look that awful. But I respect your choice not to divulge the source since he has agreed to replace them.

[DFrame]

I don't know any cowboy Action Shooters using bullets that look that awful. But I respect your choice not to divulge the source since he has agreed to replace them.

I agree. There will always be some differences in bullet weights. A few tenths to a grain but 10 grains is far from acceptable.

[Oyeboten]

Hi Shooter_55,


Why would you want 'Hard Cast' Bullets for .45 Colt?


What sort of Revolver is it? And what Velocities are you intending?


.452 of course is too small if this is an Old Revolver ( which would likely use .454 or so )...a matter which is then made far worse if the Bullet is a hard Alloy.

[Shooter_55]

Hi Shooter_55,


Why would you want 'Hard Cast' Bullets for .45 Colt?


What sort of Revolver is it? And what Velocities are you intending?


.452 of course is too small if this is an Old Revolver ( which would likely use .454 or so )...a matter which is then made far worse if the Bullet is a hard Alloy.

I don't really need "hard cast" bullets. The revolver is a 3rd gen SAA so the .452 I am guessing will be OK for it. I just placed an order for some replacements. I'll let you know how things work out.

[smkummer]

Some thoughts. If the original caster was using a mold that stated a 250 grain weight and these came out that heavy, it is probably wheel weight material. I use wheel weights almost 100% of the time. They will cast at a BHL hardness of about 9 air dropped but drop them into water and they hit 20 on the hardness scale easily. While that weight variation suggests what others have stated along with using different alloys in the same lot you ordered, it is more often caused by unseen air pockets in the bullet. This all goes back to poor casting technique. As bad as they look, they will probably still be good enough to hit a 8 in. plate at 25 yards. 15 yards or less shooting at cans or paper will also work with these.