Still new to casting

[David2011]

I am new to casting and am trying to learn the techniques for getting a very small spread in drop weights. My goal is to get less than a one grain total variability out of 100 .358 wadcutters from a Lee mold. What are the critical variables that I have to control?

Another variable to tighten up is the pace at which you cast. That affects the mold temperature more than the temperature of the melt. The faster you cast, the hotter the mold gets. If your pace is erratic then the mold will get hotter and cooler as the pace varies. This is more feel than science. When your boolits look like you want them to, keep a steady pace to maintain the mold temperature. If you are just starting to develop frost and it becomes heavier, slow down. You can wait a few seconds after dumping before you refill to cool it down. You still want to get the boolits out of hte mold as soon as the sprue firms up. Bullplate Sprue Lube is a miracle product that will keep lead from sticking to the sprue plate and mold top and let you open the sprue plate before it is fully frozen. I open the sprue plate with my gloved hand instead of a mallet because of the Bullplate Lube. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...BullPlate-too)

The seller is Bullshop and he's a member here.

David

[1bilmr59]

A lot of good info thanks.

[upnorthwis]

I use a log splitter for cutting up ingots. Even then I can only take small "bites". Which reminds me, I have to put another log on the fire.

[Silfield]

Hello,
I am relatively new to casting as well and am gradually ironing out the problems one by one. Its a long and rewarding road but made so much easier by the good folks on here.
With regards to your issue with the Lee 10lb pot, I had the same problems with a dripping spout and an inconsistent flow which was driving me nuts. In the end I plugged the spout with a self tapping screw and took out the valve mechanism and use a Lyman dipper instead. It has made the whole process much easier as I am much less restricted by the size of what goes into the pot and fluxing and skimming is a breeze as there is nothing to get in the way.

[Lead]

Don't waste your time with the sawzall, it doesn't work. I am a contractor/carpenter and that was my first thought and attempt for cutting 25# pure lead ingots. I am currently using a hatchet and a 4# hand maul to cut them into pieces.... If anybody has a better method I'm sure a lot of us on here would like to know!

I've used a chop saw but cutting torch works the best. Lol use the small tip.

[markshere2]

Circular saw will hack up lead
Keep the speed up slow feed rate and don't let it get trapped .

Worked great for me.

[Littlewolf]

you guys are talking about getting big hunks into a small pot well I found an iron cauldron at an auction for cheep and a turkey fryer set at a yard sale also cheep. in the cauldron I can stand 4 40# blocks and still add a gallon of range mining and only end up with about 3/4 of a cauldron, once its all melted and skimmed an antique iron lead ladle 3#er goes to work pouring 2# corn cob molds.
there is a user on here that makes smelting kettles out of old propane tanks for all the guys that still seem to need a way to make boolits this would be a good person to do business with me thinks

my $0.02 worth