Frosting on bullets but the mould and mix is not too hot ???

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I’m casting some .30 cal. bullets (206 gr.) and I’m getting frosting on the sides of the bullets nose. The mould is not too hot and neither is the mix. At first I thought it was just cosmetic but when I inspected them and measured the nose diameter , they were .300” as they should be at the non-frosted areas of the nose but .002” to .003” smaller at the frosted areas.
The mould is new but I cleaned them in hot soapy water using Dawn soap , rinsed them, cycled it four times on a hot plate and smoked them. The frosting is just ahead of the first groove on the nose about 50% of the way forward to the point of the bullet.
I’m out of ideas to fix this problem since I’ve followed all the instructions and if anything, my mix was cooler then it should have been most of the casting session and I don’t believe the frosting is from heat.
Suggestions ?

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[Hugh KuhnsParticipant]

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It sounds that you have done the break-in process correctly. So I am not suggesting that you have done anything wrong. I have several moulds that have behaved like that the first time I use them. Usually on the second or third time they are heated and 40 or 50 casts are made they get fully broken-in and will make great bullets. You could try adjusting the temp up or down too and recleaning of the cavities if it doesn’t clear itself up. I have always felt that these moulds are like women…they are all about the same but they like different things. So you have to find out how they work. That’s why I keep records for some of the moulds and temps that they work best at.

762sultan

[SwedeNelsonKeymaster]

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Try tipping the mould a little to one side or the other.
If you are bottom pouring it could be the way the melt is entering the nose.
Have a 311299 that is that way – just a thought.

Bullet maker, maker
Al Nelson

[johncarlsonParticipant]

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I’ve had this experience with my new 227-79 SP mould.  Started with the alloy at 720 and the mould at 330.  Nearly all bullets were frosted on one side, usually the side without the sprue plate.  Gradually reduced alloy temp to 680 and mould temp to 280.  Got rid of the frost but bullet quality was very poor, rejected over 1/2.  Then I read Swede’s post above.  By holding the mould handles slightly elevated I found I was able to return to normal temperatures and produce nice little baby bullets (accustomed to 30cal).

Thank you.

[Author]

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