Lee Casting Pot - 10 pound or 20 pound

[jonblack]

I want to order a Lee casting pot with the bottom pour feature. Yes, I know they leak. My question is: should I order the 10# or 20# version? I am new to casting and I would like to cast .380, 9mm, 40, and 38, and .30 cal projectiles, as well as 12 and 20 gauge slugs. So far I only have a 12 gauge slug mold.

Eventually, I would probably add a 10 pound pot to feed my main pot. So, maybe I can get a 10 pound pot now, and a 20 pound later, should I need the additional capacity.

What do you guys think?

jonblack

[Cowboy T]

I have the 20# version, and I'm glad I bought it. I cast with several Lee 6-cavity moulds, and that lead goes mighty fast. The 10# pots work fine, don't get me wrong. But the 20# is, in my experience, worth the extra money. It also has a more powerful heating element, so the same quantity of lead will melt faster.

BTW, the leaking thing isn't nearly as bad as what you might've heard. Mine leaks a little, but it's no biggie. For the price, the Lee pots are great.

[BCB]

I started with a 10 and now I have a 20...

If you need a 10 to feed a 20, you are doing some major casting!

Good-luck...BCB

[fryboy]

the 20 ....if i'm running one lil 22 cal mold it may take a bit to empty it but it's surely nice not to cast 50-100 boolits and have to reload my old 10# when i'm casting the bigger slugs , i started with a cast iron pot then graduated to a lee production pot ( #10 ) then to the production pot 4 and it was no problem to keep them both running for hours , then i bought the 20 ....gee wish i had two of'em lolz ( wish they made a 40 !!! )

[Packy]

I started with the 10, then got 20. I think it is easier to control temp with the 20. I just got done pouring some 90 grain bullets for the 380 with a rcbs 2 cavity. 20 pounds of lead last a long time. At the same time i was making some 120 grainers with a lee six cavity and it goes faster but still last a long time. Now when I am making 420 grain bullets for the 45-70 with a six banger 20 pounds of lead go fast. So I guess it comes down to what you are going to cast which pot you get. But having used them both I like the 20 ponder most.

[jonblack]

I started with a 10 and now I have a 20...

If you need a 10 to feed a 20, you are doing some major casting!

Good-luck...BCB

Hmm...I don't plan to do major casting, just a few hundred of anything at a time, save for slugs. I thought a 10# feeding the 20# would be a good place to put the sprue cut offs without reducing my casting melt temp.

Based on the recommendations so far, I think I will go for the 20# first. It is only a little more than the 10# and I may find it is all I will ever need.

Anybody got a vote for the 10# pot?

Thanks everyone
jonblack

[BCB]

jonblack,

Never gave that a thought about the sprues. That would help to keep the temp in the 20 pounder consistant...

I cut the sprue into a cardboard box and dump them into the 20 pounder once-in-awhile. But towards the end, it will effect the temp of the main melt as the volume gets smaller and the cold alloy cools the melted alloy...

So, guess you have a good point...

Still, the 20 pounder might be a good bet. Fill it full and if you don't cast it all, it will be ready the next time...

Good-luck...BCB

[RobS]

Started with the 10#............worked alright...............later went to the 20# and it is a breath of fresh air. If I plan on casting a large run I still use the 10# to fill the 20#.

[NuJudge]

I cast from a 20-pound and use a 10-pound as a melter. The 20-pound does not hold 10 pounds of Lead: as near as I can tell it's about 18 pound.

If you are going to cast pistol bullets, sooner or later you will buy 4- or 6-cavity molds, and especially in larger diameters, they suck a 10-pound furnace dry awfully quick. They even suck a 20-pound dry fairly quickly.

CDD

[mooman76]

Go for the 20. It's easier to keep at an even temp. I add the prues while still hot and it keeps the pot filled longer a a more even temp. Also when you add cold lead ingots beings it has twice as much melt as a ten, it also keeps things more even.

[462]

I bought a 10-pounder and it works fine for 2-cavity moulds, but a 4-cavity drains it right quick. Go with the 20-pound.

[zuke]

Get'em both! When you start to use the 6 cavity mold's, they WILL drain a 20lb. pot fast.
The 10 lb.will pre melt your alloy when the 20lb. get's low.
It let's you keep a more consistant heat in your pot and not have to wait for the pot to come up to temp.
Also a more consistant alloy meld.

[dale2242]

Buy the 20# pot. My old 10# pot does not have flow control. I don`t know if the new one do or not....dale

[Mk42gunner]

I started with a cast iron sauce pan on a coleman stove, then went to a Lee 4-20. I couldn't believe how much easier it is to cast with an electric pot. I bought a Lee 10 pounder for 10 dollars at a pawnshop to use casting pure lead so I don't have to drain the big one.

Even though I have the bottom pour capability, I still ladle cast most of my boolits; You will find that the 4-20 is more convenient to use a ladle from than the 10 pound Lee.


Robert

[Echo]

Go with the 20. I doubt if you can outrun it, even w/6-banger 250-gr boolits. You will *** out first Let's see, 28 250-grainers per pound, time 20 - 560 boolits. Or you can throw the sprues back in as you cut them (won't hurt the temp much) and preheat new ingots on the lip of the pot, or on a hot plate, and develop Popeye arms.

[Duckiller]

Recommend the 20 # Lee. I believe it has better flow control and is less likely to drip as much. 20# is about $20.00 more than 10# I think it is worth it, You may get tired of twisting the stopper in the 10# to control the leaks.
























































































































3

[fourdollarbill]

Ergonomics is a big factor between the 10 and 20 lb pot.

I like the 10 lb because the nozzle is close to the front and you can line up the mold easier without bending over. Also you can see inside the pot while your casting to keep an eye on things. (you can see in the pot and see the nozzle in one position)

The 20lb pot you have to make it high enough to see under it because the nozzle is in so far and then you cannot see inside the pot without getting up. What a pain in the butt. (you cannot see the pot and the nozzle in one position)

I bought a 4/20 and hate it.

[Cowboy T]

Hey fourdollarbill, if you want to get rid of your 4/20, PM me. I could use a second one if the price is right.

[Blackhawk Convertable]

No question, get the 20#'er. Any kind of volume casting and you'll be forever waiting for the pot to get back up to temp each time you add lead.

[smith52]

I run two 20# Lee pots at a time. Pour from one pot til it gets low, refill, and pour from the other pot while the first comes back up to temp, then repeat the process. No waiting after you start casting this way.