Casting Bullets

[Franna]

Ok so I bought a .50 cal Lee mould, now my question is should I oil it and preheat it before I cast? How do i preheat it?

 

[GreyWhiskers]

The mold blocks need to be free of oil. Use alcohol or brake cleaner aerosal. Preheating is easy. You can dip a corner of the mold into the molten lead or just start casting. The aluminum blocks will heat up quickly. Follow the instructions included with those Lee molds. They are more fragile than steel molds. GW

 

[cowpoke1955]

Oil the pivit bolt. Pre heat by dipping part of the mold in the molten lead for about 15 seconds.

 

[BrownBear]

Just follow Lee's instructions for oiling. As for preheating, I'm using an electric furnace so I just balance the mold on the rim and let it heat up with the lead. The first few you cast might or might not fill correctly, so just put them back in the pot. After a few casts, you should be getting pristine casts.

 

[Franna]

Ok great stuff, will try it out. Thanks.

 

[rice1817]

Be sure to smoke the mould, and to lube the v blocks and cutoff plate bolt...aluminum is soft and will gall badly if heated if you do not do this. Richard Lee in his book says most Lee molds are ruined by people who fail to heed his instructions.

 

[hthomso]

Follow the Lee instructions and your bullets will be fine. A good mould. :thumbsup:

 

[Franna]

Ok then, will follow the instructions that came with the mould.

 

[gmww]

You can also clean the mould with lighter fluid.

 

[Franna]

And surgical spirits?

 

[varsity07840]

Rapine mold prep works very well.

Duane

 

[boar]

I set it close to flame on my propane to warm up, leave first ball in a while. I just use my molds, I don't do anything but warm them up.Have steel and aluminum 32 to 54. Steel Lymans are the better ones but cost more. But use the Lees a lot too. I buy the Lymans used when I see them. Dilly