Completing the 308 ballistic tooling. Making the molds ...



From the completed cherry mill cutters of the bullet slug designs.

I'll have some field results once I've cast some copies.

Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2012 01:00AM by barnespneumatic.

Hi Gary,

Glad to see you back at it. Wish you all the best of health.
Always interesting to see you making your awesome rifles, molds, and the
craftsmanship that you put into your work

God bless,

Pedro

Thanks Pedro.
Looks like you have some nice work coming along too. Good luck with it. Always a loooong road from idea to the holes in the target.
Gary

Hey, uh..........what's under the shop cloth?

You mill those mold blocks with a fly cutter correct?

Lon

I must need new glasses. I thought the cherry cutters looked odd, didn't realize a shop cloth was over the actual cutting contour until I took another look at the pic this morning.

Must be the stress of being at work and not able to work on and shoot airguns....

Gary, looking forward to seeing the rifle and target groups.

Yeah. No use to give away work to the ones who don't want to do the research and field work. Of course, some of the slug designs that don't fly might occasionally leak ... . Haha

That shop cloth is leather guys. You know I treat you better then that. Haha. If I mask things, I do it with class!

Gary

Each end of the mold carries three cavities. Different design each end - two total. Six total cavities.

Each are cut separately, one at a time. Trick is to get them as close as possible to identical. Here's the combines weights of three. Average shown.



Then here are the individual slugs from this casting session.

Very close. Now we will see if they fly.

Gary

Meaning ... A slug cast in Cavity #1 weighs as noted, etc, etc.

Gary,
Your right about showing to much online. I have learned to be more cautious about details I post. My hats off to you making everything from scratch. Only years of practical experience allow for making a cherry and mold to desired specs without making scrap.

I started experimenting with big bore barrels a few years ago. I realize now that I made many mistakes with the first barrels I tried button rifling with. Hopefully later this year I can put what I learned to practical use.

Have a good week.

P. S. First time making a post with my iPhone. Really neat!

I completed the mold this evening, and cast a few first run slugs from it awhile ago. It drops one slug @ .310" and the other at .311". Both size beautifully to .307" if desired.

One slug is 84.5 grains and the other 91.22 grains. However; I cleaned the pot, got the crud off the walls and bottom (I'm rusty - forgot that) and gained another 100 degrees. Might get more. With the lead hotter, and knowing the slugs are correct now - I can continue and cast a batch. They will be more clean and full. Might gain a grain or two. We'll see.

Should be what I need for the Barnes 308 Series. I've needed to complete this missing link for the several in the field, the couple on the Reverse Ledger, and the ones in the ledger build parts tubes.

I'll get some into the air asap. Hope they fly accurately.

Had the power company and electrician here this am. Finally had a really fine experience with a hired expert. That's probably why it snowed here today (just a bit). So, now I have new upgraded service to the property. I think I'll put 200 Watt light bulbs in every socket!

Pedro - hope you enjoy your iphone. I've enjoyed mine. Great tool.

Gary

Gary,

How do you true up the mold blocks, fly cutter? All sides?

Lon

Lathe. Four jaw chuck.

And Well worn leather t that.

That's right Rick! As you know, this is a working shop. ;?)

Those cherries are even laying ON the leather bench surface!!! Now THAT is well worn. Not some fancy pants mocked up display in a snooty gallery! That's real patina!!



Gary

best way to keep a secret ................... dont tell anyone.
my grandad used to say that ,,, he was a wise man.