Tried out my Callahan bag mold

I ordered a .54 cal bag mold and a folding ladle from Larry Callahan. Well today I decided to give them a try. I just used a propane torch to heat the lead in the ladle. Let me tell you that bag mold Larry makes is VERY good and VERY well made. It looks amazing to me and casts one dang good ball. And that sprue cutter cuts the sprue dead flush with the ball. You couldn't cut the sprue any closer with a pair of flush cutters. If you are thinking about getting a bag mold, I for one HIGHLY recommend these. Now for the down side. Of course the handles will get hot quickly as they are thin steel with no wood insulating you from the heat. But these things are not meant to cast 100's of round ball. I cast 6 high quality balls in a matter of about 10 minutes wearing a pair of leather gloves. Sitting around a fire casting a few balls for a hunt is what I will use them for. Thank you to those of you who told me about Larry's outfit.

Been looking at getting a couple of his molds myself. I've heard nothing but good about his products.

On mine, I straighten the handles and stick corn cobs on them. Good insulation. Very true round balls.

I build a little fire in the back yard and melt lead in the ladle. Run five ball, sit back and let it cool, then run another
Fun afternoon

Just curious are there any alignment maintaining features in the mold halves? Not that I would abuse it but things happen.

Antelope Pete said:

Just curious are there any alignment maintaining features in the mold halves? Not that I would abuse it but things happen.

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No there are no alignment features on the mold. But unless you run this thing over with a truck I don't see how it could get out of alignment.

Frontstuffer070 said:

No there are no alignment features on the mold. But unless you run this thing over with a truck I don't see how it could get out of alignment.

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Ok thanks. It looks like it might be fun to use with a historical frame of mind. Looks like some don't like it for a main casting mold but I don't know since I haven't used one.

Antelope Pete said:

Ok thanks. It looks like it might be fun to use with a historical frame of mind. Looks like some don't like it for a main casting mold but I don't know since I haven't used one.

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Exactly, its just a period on the go type mold. You throw it in your bag ( bag mold) to cast up a few balls for a hunt or if you run out after a fight with some Red Coats. For Volume casting I have my Aluminum Lee Molds that I can pump out 100 ball in no time.

Antelope Pete said:

Ok thanks. It looks like it might be fun to use with a historical frame of mind. Looks like some don't like it for a main casting mold but I don't know since I haven't used one.

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I find my bag molds easier to use than my regular molds. I line them all up and when one gets too hot to use, I grab the next. I usually will do three sizes at a time, and sort them as I cut the sprue off.

Any chance of seeing some pictures?

RiverRat said:

Any chance of seeing some pictures?

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My Callahan bag mold and a few balls I poured with it

BillyC said:

My Callahan bag mold and a few balls I poured with it

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Sorry, this one is with the balls I poured

Clark Badgett said:

I find my bag molds easier to use than my regular molds. I line them all up and when one gets too hot to use, I grab the next. I usually will do three sizes at a time, and sort them as I cut the sprue off.

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How many would you say you get before it's too hot, obviously wearing gloves. I know it depends on how fast you cast too.

with leather gloves I can do about 6 then I have to put it down.

Antelope Pete said:

How many would you say you get before it's too hot, obviously wearing gloves. I know it depends on how fast you cast too.

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I get about 10-12 before I change molds. I go fast.

Thanks guys. Since we are getting into living history I might order one and do double duty with it. Both leisurely casting and display.

A Callahan mold is most likely shorter but I did a search and Sharps bullet molds were about 8 1/2" to 9" long and all iron. Buffalo hunters obviously cast a lot of bullets at a time. They had to have got real hot too.

I've been eyeing those up since I started getting the flintlock bug. He makes a pair of small pliers with a "ramrod puller" in the handle that also intrigued me, not that I've ever dry balled, I wouldn't do that, that happens to other people....

Ok, so I bit, and bought a bunch of stuff from Larry that I really didn't need, but more wanted. With the mold, how do you take care of it? I'm guessing oil or grease when not in use, but I guess my question is more about how you get smooth shiny balls from an oily greasy mold. My other mold is aluminum that I keep squeaky clean aside from a bit of candle soot to help the ball release.

WonkyEye said:

Ok, so I bit, and bought a bunch of stuff from Larry that I really didn't need, but more wanted. With the mold, how do you take care of it? I'm guessing oil or grease when not in use, but I guess my question is more about how you get smooth shiny balls from an oily greasy mold. My other mold is aluminum that I keep squeaky clean aside from a bit of candle soot to help the ball release.

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Dawn dish soap or rubbing alcohol degrease just fine.