Want To Buy 40 caliber mold

[swampratt]

My hunting buddy got a 40 XD and I will be reloading for it.
So I am going to buy a bullet mold.
Probably a Lee 6 cavity TC type ..I will be powder coating them.

Figured if anyone has a 40 mold for sale I would check here first.

 

[dlbleak]

Let me check, can't remember if mine is a 2 or six cavity mold.

 

[dlbleak]

I think I have just what you're looking for SR.

 

[swampratt]

That looks like round nose tumble lube
Is that a 40 cal?

 

[dlbleak]

Sorry SR but my pounding headache caused by fever has blurred my vision! It's a 45 mold, my mistake.

 

[swampratt]

It's all good.

 

[chazroh]

I'm interested in the rn mold @dlbleak , 230gr? how much, willing to ship

 

[chadh2o]

Can plumbing lead be used for bullets? I've wanted to start pouring my own but didn't know and not active enough to research.
Thanks

 

[OKCHunter]

Can plumbing lead be used for bullets? I've wanted to start pouring my own but didn't know and not active enough to research.
Thanks

I use wheel weights or other alloys common for casting. Lead pipe, shower pans, etc. can be used but is too soft for applications other than muzzle loading type stuff. You would need to harden soft lead with tin and / or antimony to bring the hardness up for most bullet applications. Pure lead has a Brinell hardness of approximately 5; clip on wheel weights have a hardness around 11 or 12.

From Rotometals website:

For every 1% additional tin, Brinell hardness increases 0.3.
For every 1% additional antimony, Brinell hardness increases 0.9.

For a simple equation,
Brinell = 8.60 + ( 0.29 * Tin ) + ( 0.92 * Antimony )

 

[swampratt]

You will be surprised how soft you can go when sized correctly with the right lube.
You can go pure soft with plated or powder coated.
The softer lead will bump up much quicker.. this really helps in low pressure slower velocity applications.

One drawback is you must pay close attention to the flare and seating of very soft lead bullets that are not coated.
A deep groove rifling barrel will strip lead much quicker than a shallow groove or smooth bore.

You can add bird shot to the lead and water drop it to get hardness up.
Most of us have bird shot.

I would try some powder puff loads with the lead pipe and see what you get.

When I cast for rifle clip on wheel weights works very well.
When I cast 45acp I use 2/3 soft lead like plumbers pipe and 1/3 clip on wheel weights.
I can use 50/50 mix with 1000 fps 357 mag.
800fps i can use the same as my 45acp.

Fire lapping barrels I use pure soft lead.
slower than gallery loads