Casting Question

[JohnnyO]

I just got some casting equipment [finally!] and am excited to start casting today. :grin: I've seen some people drop the bullets into a 5 gallon bucket of water, though these were hard lead bullets, I'm just casting some .58 minies and such. Do I need the water or should I just carefully plop them onto a towel?

 

[paulvallandigham]

If you are casting pure lead bullets, you can't harden them by plunging them in water. They may cool faster, but they won't harden. The Alloy bullets you saw being cast can be hardened with this technique.

Take your time, until you have cast 5,000 bullets. Only then will you be confident of your casting technique to make good uniform bullets. Then, if you want, you can start experimenting. Best wishes. Paul

 

[jtmattison]

Can't say I agree with the 5,000 bullet theory.

To answer your question, just drop them out on a towel to cool and you'll be good to go.

:hatsoff:

HD

 

[JohnnyO]

thanks guys, I just used a towel. Today was my first casting session...and I must say it's a bit harder than it looks :haha: Those were the wrinkliest minies I've ever seen. The .44 conicals had some good ones though, I'll sort through them later when everything cools down :thumbsup:

 

[gjkershul]

I am new to casting Minie projectiles too. I got some good information from the North-South Skirmish Association site. n-ssa.org
I used the search function and typed in "casting minie". :thumbsup:

 

[kevthebassman]

If you're casting using a ladle and a pot, I'd recommend upgrading to a bottom pour pot. Since I've gotten mine my casting has gotten much easier and been more productive.

 

[paulvallandigham]

YOu have to keep both the mold and the dipper hot, by not letting the lead travel through cold air for any more distance than is necessary. Wrikles are caused by having the lead TOO cool when it hits the mold. Better to have frosted bullets, than wrinkled ones. A bottom pour casting pot is a much better choice for getting consistently good bullets.

That is why I made myt 5,000 bullets comment. Now you know. Count how many bullets are going back into the pot. Now add how many your threw back during the casting process. That is not such a large number after all, is it???? :shocked2: :hmm: :thumbsup:

 

[JohnnyO]

Yep, about 40% of my bullets are goin back in the pot :shake:

Being my first time, I think I did alright. I got my lee pot off of ebay for a little bit cheaper than a new one. The temperature thing is a bit odd, I turned it up to high to melt the lead, then turned it down to about 6 as I had read that somewhere, but the lead started to hardened so I ended up casting with the temperature knob at 9.
I tried heating the molds but I guess not long enough long enough as the .58 minies turned out extremely wrinkled, and only the .44 conicals after 15 casts or so turned out perfect...

Live and learn :hatsoff:

 

[jtmattison]

Here's what I do...assuming the mold has already been thoroughly cleaned and smoked.
Melt the lead on high heat and keep it at high heat. I pre-heat the mold on an electric hot plate while the lead melts.
This technique allows me to start casting immediately when the lead is hot and the first bullet drops out just as perfect as the last.

You'll get the feel for it and before you know it you'll be casting 150 or more per hour.

HD

 

[Tumblernotch]

You're doin' better than I did when I first started. Just remember when casting Minies, heat is your friend. Keep it as hot as you can stand it. Don't worry about "frosted balls".

Another handy thing to remember is when you have to stop casting for a few minutes to skim slag or get a drink or something, keep the last bullet you cast in the mold. The residual heat will help keep the mold hot a little longer.

Welcome to the world of running balls! It's a lot of fun even though it can be tiring. And it adds a bit to the satisfaction when you kill your deer or other game animal with bullets you made or win a match at the range.
:hatsoff:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I agree with Jim's optimism that if you stick with it, you will be cranking out good bullets at a high rate of speed.

Don't rely on the thermostats on the pots. They get stored in damp places, or used in damp places, and the filaments in the thermocouples gets oxidized, and the readings go bad. Contact Lee to see if they will replace the thermostat on your pot. If not, invest in a good lead thermometer, to use in the pot to determine the actual temperature of your lead.

My first casting experience did not involve nice equipment like you are using. It was a steel pot on a popcorn burner, with a dipper, and done on the kitchen stove. I made the mistakes you are now making, then. That was more than 40 years ago. I would like to save you from learning how to do this casting stuff without committing quite all the mistakes I did. :youcrazy: :shocked2: :hatsoff: