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Thread: RCBS 500M melt issues

  1. #1
    tucten is offline
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    RCBS 500M melt issues

    I just received my new RCBS 500M minie mould. It?s been a bugger to make bullets. I moulded 25 before I was able to completely fill the base ring. After I got my lead into the 950 range, and with me tapping the mould it finally started filling, but the lead was so hot I had ?wings? where the molten lead crept between the blocks.
    Are there any tips that might help me. 950 degree lead is a tad Name:  10BA20A4-9767-49B5-9278-FAC32E0A68A4.jpg
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    EPPS1919 is offline
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    I run my lead to 800 to 850 and preheat the mould with a propane torch


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    I never go over 800. But pre-heating the mold is a must. Then you need a good pace. To keep things moving well

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    Carolina Reb is offline
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    Since you just got it, I bet it still has some if the preservative grease in the mold cavity. Try cleaning it really well with acetone or alcohol. 800 degrees should do the job when the mold is clean.

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    Big Grit is offline
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    I'm not sure, but from your picture it looks like the base plug on the mold is too long, causing the skirt to be much to thin.

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    I agree - something strange is going on with that base plug. Make sure it is fully screwed in place.

    I cast around 850-875. Clean mold and preheating is necessary.

    I have decided that ladle-pouring is the only way to get consistent results with hollow-cavity bullets. I don't know if it the starting the pour with the mold sideways or simply the speed of the pour that makes it work, but I can tell by weighing bullets that you get much more consistent weights when ladle-pouring than with a bottom-pour spout.

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  7. #7
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    Looks like something is off. Post some pictures of the mold and plug.

    One thing I had a problem with on a few RCBS molds were the pins. The pins are are rounded and the holes that stick in had a sharp edge. When I called they said use your case debur tool and that will fix it. The mold would not close 100%.
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    tucten is offline
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    i sure hope that extra thin ring is correct.

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    RCBS 500M melt issues

    After looking at the photo my first question is did you purchase a used mold. The base plug is too long. The base plug in both of my RCBS molds when you put the base plug in one side of the mold stops at the end of the bullet cavity. I would think using the base plug that you have you stand a good chance of pulling the bottom skirt on the bullet off.
    If you have a new mold I would call RCBS to get it replaced or fixed!!
    Joe Plakis Jr
    Hampton Legion

  10. #10
    tucten is offline
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    Heated to 850, clean mold. Without tapping they come out like this.Name:  14756C4F-A1E5-4523-9315-B17DF7635BC1.jpg
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