Casting round balls, thermometer needed?

[Griz44Mag]

Because the carcinogens from the wood stove protects one from lead poisoning, but it only works for ML projects.
After shooting ML the smoke that’s inhaled sets up a chemical reaction in the blood stream that protects us when doing ml related things.

Just another benefit of the magic of the muzzles....
LOl, - good one...

 

[Juice Jaws]

Because the carcinogens from the wood stove protects one from lead poisoning, but it only works for ML projects.
After shooting ML the smoke that’s inhaled sets up a chemical reaction in the blood stream that protects us when doing ml related things.

I have a cigar and a beer when I run ball, found out that helps also.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

In years of casting 5,000 hollow based conicals (minies), I found that the lead temperature has some variable and still casts well; the temperature of the MOLD is critical. Pinholes, voids, and uneven bases were more related to the MOLD temperature than the alloy (pure lead) temperature. Keep your mold (and the base plug) hot.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Tom A Hawk]

In years of casting 5,000 hollow based conicals (minies), I found that the lead temperature has some variable and still casts well; the temperature of the MOLD is critical. Pinholes, voids, and uneven bases were more related to the MOLD temperature than the alloy (pure lead) temperature. Keep your mold (and the base plug) hot.

ADK Bigfoot

Very true regarding mold temp. I dip my Lee molds in the lead pot for 20 seconds to warm them. Lyman and RCBS iron molds I warm up with a torch. Saves quite a few minutes as compared to heating up the mold by making bad bullets.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Hot plate. When I fire up the pot, I fire up the hot plate and put the molds on to heat.
When taking a break or reloading the pot, put the mold on the hot plate and keep it ready to cast.
Most times I get zero first cast rejects. It works.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

+1 for Grizz. That is how I do it. Keep the temperature constant, no issues.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[mooman76]

I sit my mould on the edge of the pot while the pot heats up. That gets it close to the right temp.

 

[user 34300]

I also put the mold on top of the bottom pour pot to warm up. It also helps a bunch to smoke the mold. That provides insulation that slows the alloy's cooling. I use gang molds and the large Lee bottom pour pot for common size balls. I never use a dipper. As I said before I am very results oriented. I only cast a few times a year for my supply of all balls I shoot. I shoot quite a bit.