First roundball casting

[sepiatone]

I cast my first round balls today using a .490 mould. I am seeing a very large variation in ball weight and am not sure why. I weighed 32 round balls and got...

173 grain -- 1 ball
173.5 grain -- 1 ball
174 grain -- 16 balls
175 grain -- 4 balls
176 grain -- 5 balls
176.5 grain -- 5 balls
177 grain -- 1 ball

I always weigh my hornady balls and it is very rare I get one more than 0.5 grain +- difference. I usually only have to throw out 1 or 2 balls per box. These are usually 177.5 grains each.

Anyways, what would cause this variation and why are they coming out lighter?

As always, I appreciate all the feedback.

 

[robert bw]

Are you using different lead alloys?What kinda casting equipment are you using?Is it possible you are getting voids due to tempature fluctuations?

If your molten lead is getting cooler in between runs this may contribute to internal voids.How do the outside of the balls look?Also, if your lead id dirty, are you fluxing?...or at least skimming the dross off the top?

 

[sepiatone]

I am using the Lee Precision Pot. It's the type that pours from the bottom. I purchased 99.9% lead, melted it in the pot, threw in a small piece of bees wax, and skimmed the surface.

I did not use a thermometer but kept the lead at the same temp not changing the dial. The outside of the balls have a few "rings". Also, about half of them have a small divot on the bottom (opposite side of the sprue).

 

[robert bw]

I aint no veteran caster, but what you are describing sounds a little like inconsistent pouring(entirely possible im wrong though).If there are divots it would seem to indicate this.Smaller calibers tend to be harder to cast.

From what your saying, you seem to be doing everything right.At this point, if I say much more id be speculating, perhaps one of the more experienced casters here has more insight?

 

[necchi]

The outside of the balls have a few "rings". Also, about half of them have a small divot on the bottom (opposite side of the sprue).

The Lead is too cold,, crank'er up some.

 

[robert bw]

I do my casting 2 or 3 ounces at a time, so I cant speak for any of the melt pots as I aint used em.I use a plumbers torch and a little dipper and a two cavity mould.

The only time I see such deformitys is when it gets cold or the pot gets low(one equals the otherFWIW)

 

[bubba.50]

I run my Lee pot wide open & try to maintain the quickest pour-dump-repeat rhythym I can. don't weigh them but, all look the same & shoot the same so I guess I'm good to go.

 

[hanshi]

I do the same thing and it seems to work just fine.

 

[Larry Akers]

I agree with Necchi, your lead (and mould) are not hot enough. If you see dimples in the center of your sprue, there is, most likely, a void inside the ball. Hold the mould under the spout for a couple of seconds longer to remedy that.

 

[mooman76]

Many things can cause variables in your castings. Temperature is a big one. It takes awhile for the mould to come up to max temp. Also even though the lead is melted when you first start, it may not be up to full temp. A little spec of lead getting caught in the mould can go unnoticed and your casting speed can vary.

As you gain experience and get more consistent in the way you cast there should be less variation in your weights.

 

[Flintlock]

In the 18th and early 19th century, hunters were so worried about this they carried three scales apiece and only carried the finest electric lead pots on long hunts. One of the reasons the Revolutionary war went on so long, is they wouldn't shoot at each other unless musket balls weighed within .ooo2grs. of each other. In other words, unless your competing in some serious long range competition, don't lose to much sleep over it, although I do the same thing and want them to weigh fairly close.

 

[sepiatone]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I agree that my lead was probably not hot enough. Also, the pour wasn't opened very far therefore filled the mould a little too slow. I'm going to try another batch this weekend. :thumbsup:

 

[tenngun]

I run off a dipper and not a bottom pour. I generally run a dozen or so and just drop them back in. You said it was your first casting? I general don't find my first ball real good until after fifty cast or so in a new mold.
I have to say I have never weighed a ball though. They pass or fail based on looks alone.

 

[robert bw]

Betcha dollars to doughnuts, this does the trick.

 

[Cowboy]

I cast my first round balls today using a .490 mould. I am seeing a very large variation in ball weight and am not sure why. I weighed 32 round balls and got...

173 grain -- 1 ball
173.5 grain -- 1 ball
174 grain -- 16 balls
175 grain -- 4 balls
176 grain -- 5 balls
176.5 grain -- 5 balls
177 grain -- 1 ball

Looking at your ball weights a few things come to mind. I bet your probably using a 2 cavity mold aren't you. The reason why I say this is because 16 of your balls are at 174 gr. and 10 balls from 176 to 176.5 gr.

To me, you are showing consistency in your casting. The mold cavities are not always the same diameter thus your going to get different weights depending on what that cavity is putting out. Lee molds are notorious for this. A single 2 cavity mold can put out 2 different ball weights.

Even though the mold might be listed as a .490 Mold, 176 gr.( LEE). You will find that you are casting some 174 gr. others between 176-176.5.

A way to know for sure is to cast some balls and keep each individual cavitie's balls together for diameter measurement and ball weight. That will tell you if you are casting consistently and if so, it will also tell you what that specific mold as well as each individual cavity is putting out. No two molds are the same no matter what it's listed as being.

I've owned several LEE molds of the same ball diameter and have conducted these tests with each mold. I also have Lyman molds and have conducted the same tests with them as well. The Lyman molds are a better quality and seem to cast closer to the listed ball diameter's and weight's.

Bottom line is, your not always going to cast the perfect ball as listed on the box that the mold came in. No two molds are the same and no two cavities are the same. The key is to look for consistency in your weights. If each cavity is always putting out the same ball weight the majority of the time, that tells you that your doing everything right and you also know what that specific mold is capable of putting out.

As mentioned above from other's. There are different variables that can hint to ball weight variations. What I have described is one way to know if your casting consistently and to know what your mold is capable of putting out.

Have a good day and good luck in your future attempts my friend.

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[Zonie]

Betcha dollars to doughnuts, this does the trick.

Now, there's an old statement that used to mean something.

I see Dunkin' Donuts is charging .99¢ for a donut if you only buy one. :shake:

 

[Black Hand]

Make sure your mold is hot as well...

 

[robert bw]

I see Dunkin' Donuts is charging .99¢ for a donut if you only buy one. :shake: [/quote]

You can get em free by the dozen at the dumpster out back, just gotta make peace with the honey bees :v :rotf:

 

[M. De Land]

Now, just how would you know that S.C.? Quit giving away by desert secrets bub! :rotf:

 

[robert bw]

I aint called SC for nothing you know, hunting , foraging and gathering is just what I do! :grin: