Undersized bullets

[Steveu]

I have recently acquired a Hoch 500gr Creedmoor mould for my Trapdoor and Rem-Lee 1885 that is supposed to be dropping bullets .459". I cast some up this afternoon with some 20-1 @750 degrees and the bullets are .455" diameter. Bullets look great, just .004" too small. Can I lap the mould or should I send it back for a refund?

Cheers,
Steve

[Don McDowell]

I would contact Hoch and make arrangements to send it back.

[Hiwall55]

It was my understanding that Hoch was not cutting any moulds. Would like to know where you got it.

[Lumpy Grits]

OP, what did you use to measure the diameter?
When was the last time you zeroed the tool?
Gary

[Steveu]

I cannot find any current info for Dave Farmer, all dead links.

The mold I think was one of the ones that Midway was selling. I got it from a individual.

I used my RCBS dial calipers (plastic ones) and also checked the measurement of some Rapine bullets that I cast with the same alloy. I will recheck the diameter with another caliper I have at work tomorrow.

[Steveu]

UPDATE: I measured the bullets with 2 other calipers and the bullets measure .459". Time to throw the other one in the trash!!!

[Nuclearcricket]

Steve, I think you just learned a valuable lesson. Having good quality tools is well worth the investment. Good quality tools don't necessarily need to be expensive, but will more than pay for them selves in the long run. I spent most of my adult life as a machinist/toolmaker and I have some expensive and very nice measuring tools. I also have some that are very inexpensive and they are all good. I have a nice little 4" dial caliper I got from Grizzly Industrial, I think they were about $11 or so, they are right on the money when I checked them with Gage blocks. I have 2 sets of micrometers that are made in china, they are both English and metric, 0-3" range, and again they are right on the money when checked. At the opposite end of the expense range, I have a 1" micrometer made in Switzerland that retails for over $1400. I don't use that one much. If you invest in good tools they will make you happy for a long time and take care of them and they will last, even the inexpensive ones can give you years of good service if you take care of them.
Sam