Minie ball fill out

[CapPopper]

I have a lee 360gr improved minie ball mold and no matter what I do I can't get it to fill out without wrinkles or other imperfections especially inside the base...... I don't have any issue with other mold when I'm not working with pure lead but I'm running it was hot as I can (drosses horribly) and I don't know what else to do...... Casting with a ladle. Any new ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[bang]

Lead needs to hotter than for ball. Around 800. The mold needs to hotter as well. The mold needs to be cleaned of any oils and very well sooted. The pour needs to be fast. When a good sprew puddle stays liquid for up to 5 seconds you should have a good round. First 10-15 pours most likely go back in the pot.
I use a bottom pour and to get good pour for mini I opened the spout to a #40.

 

[LawrenceA]

Are you getting rainbow or frosty looking bullets?
How many have you casr before stopping?
Pure lead will look colorful when too hot.
Also you may need to cast a dozen or more to get the mold to temo. Otherwise fill the mild faster can make a difference and ensure the base plug is hot as well.

 

[CapPopper]

Some are just starting to frost in places. Surface of molten lead is colorful. Probably about 40 feeding the first few back into the pot cause I know it has to heat up. Lead is probably hotter than it needs to be cause I get an annoying amount of dross but again that's only with pure lead..... When I cast for unmentionables I don't have any issue with wheel weights

 

[LawrenceA]

Hmmm.
Have you given the mold a great clean to remove grease and oil?
Smoked the mold?
It really sounds like the base plug is cold or the pour is too slow.
Sorry that is all i can think of

 

[dave951]

Some are just starting to frost in places. Surface of molten lead is colorful. Probably about 40 feeding the first few back into the pot cause I know it has to heat up. Lead is probably hotter than it needs to be cause I get an annoying amount of dross but again that's only with pure lead..... When I cast for unmentionables I don't have any issue with wheel weights

Please tell me you aren’t casting minies with wheel weights. I cast lots of minies for competition shooting. Use pure lead, run pot at 850f, get mold hot. It also sounds like you’re using a Lee mold. They are a bit fragile and it could be your problem. Using my method of preheating the mold with a torch, I get about 4-5 back into the pot before good ones.

 

[LawrenceA]

Please tell me you aren’t casting minies with wheel weights. I cast lots of minies for competition shooting. Use pure lead, run pot at 850f, get mold hot. It also sounds like you’re using a Lee mold. They are a bit fragile and it could be your problem. Using my method of preheating the mold with a torch, I get about 4-5 back into the pot before good ones.

I get he is using pure lead for the minies. Wheel weights for others.
He is using a lee mold.

 

[CapPopper]

If I was using wheel weights for minies I doubt I'd be having fill issues lol I don't know how hot the lead is other than when I run WW material I do occasionally have to unplug it to let the lead cool a smidge. Molds cleaned and smoked...... I know what I'm doing I just have trouble with pure lead..... I could be pouring too slow but my ladle is a little on the small side and if it doesn't pour from the right spot then a lot of times I don't have enough for a complete pour

 

[nkbj]

Rapid fill is a good problem solver.

 

[LawrenceA]

I had the same problem And actually lowered the temp a tad to slow the oxide forming so quick.
But the biggest thing was speed up the pour.
If you cannot fill the mold hard and fast then you need to get a ladle that will allow it.
I used an old gravy ladle befor i got a bottom pour.
I really hope this works for you.
I have read a little tin goes a long way so maybe a small batch with a few wheelweights to try.

 

[CapPopper]

Wish I had temperature control lol I have a hot plate that's been wired to run full blast so I can't turn it down...... And I'm a broke guy so buying much isn't an option right now...... I've got a lee ladle also and keep thinking the lyman ladle looks infinetly better but this time of year I really can't swing the 30 dollars for one..... Got the lead heating right now I'll try a few more and pour faster..... I don't seem to recall having any problem with the very first batch I cast a few years ago but maybe I just don't remember..... I known it's starting to bug me

 

[LawrenceA]

I cast a lot.
From 22 to 12g.
Seriously pop down to the local charity store and see if they have suitable tableware. I really did use a gravy ladle.
Before i got the lee pot i used a $2 cooking pot on a cheap camp stove with bottled gas and the trusty gravy ladle. Worked fine.
Still use muffin tins for ingots.
Still use the old setup for making ingots.
Let us no how you go

 

[CapPopper]

I'm thinking a larger ladle would help for sure of course I'm working with a relatively small amount of lead right now...... If I had lead to fill it up I'd say I'd get better results as well...... May have to order five or ten pounds on Friday cause it's hard to find suitable lead around here.... I can get wheel weights but that doesn't help

 

[Eterry]

Sounds like pouring issue. I've read where some will drill out the sprue plate hole SLIGHTLY to get a better pour, hence better fill out on mold.

I use a home made left hand ladle, all I've used near 40 years. I pour lead like a drunk bartender when making minie balls.

If your getting frost then your temp is plenty hot, maybe too hot. That tells me it's a pouring issue, not temp.

Go to goodwill and get a ladle as suggested, you may have to bend the handle to suit you, but that may solve your problems.

If that don't do it you might consider opening up the sprue hole a touch.

No one said minie balls are easy to cast, but it's do-able.

 

[Eterry]

I'm thinking a larger ladle would help for sure of course I'm working with a relatively small amount of lead right now...... If I had lead to fill it up I'd say I'd get better results as well...... May have to order five or ten pounds on Friday cause it's hard to find suitable lead around here.... I can get wheel weights but that doesn't help

Find a plumber or roofer. You can trade a few cobeers (it's one word in Texas) for all the lead you'll need in a year.

My plumber friend dropped off about 50lbs, cost me a six pack and a cheap cigar.

 

[CapPopper]

May have to try my camp stove but I actually use it for cooking so I was trying not to..... I do think my lead is too hot cause I am fighting the oxide..... I've got my dad and a few others looking for lead. I've got plenty to hunt with it's just frustrating casting 40 some projectiles and getting two maybe that meet my standards.... I will look for a larger ladle also cause this big minie ball is at the upper end of what my ladle can do (also a pain to cast two .308 170gr with anyways) but if I had more than 3-4 pounds of lead to work with it would help lol

 

[TreeMan]

May have to try my camp stove but I actually use it for cooking so I was trying not to..... I do think my lead is too hot cause I am fighting the oxide..... I've got my dad and a few others looking for lead. I've got plenty to hunt with it's just frustrating casting 40 some projectiles and getting two maybe that meet my standards.... I will look for a larger ladle also cause this big minie ball is at the upper end of what my ladle can do (also a pain to cast two .308 170gr with anyways) but if I had more than 3-4 pounds of lead to work with it would help lol

I have a buddy who works for the local water company. I asked him if they ever dig up any old lead water lines. He said yeah and they had some at their shop lying around. I asked if I could have it. He loaded up his truck and brought it too me. I’d guess there was 300lbs of it lol. It’s good soft pure lead too. I have enough for a lifetime. Make a friend at the water company!!

 

[smo]

I think I have the same ladle.... and have had similar issues at times.

The ladle is too small... gravy ladle or re shaped large metal spoon will help.

Can you post a pic of what you’re skimming off?

 

[Carbon 6]

Rapid fill is a good problem solver.

That's what I do, start knocking them out as fast as I can to get the mold up to temp. They straighten out after a dozen or so.

 

[CapPopper]

I think I have the same ladle.... and have had similar issues at times.

The ladle is too small... gravy ladle or re shaped large metal spoon will help.

Can you post a pic of what you’re skimming off?

The lead was clean in ingot form when I got it..... Rainbow surface quickly forms an ever so slight golden film on it (gets thicker) doesn't stay in liquid form on the ladle and I can skim it off and it comes right back...... I'm sure the lead is too hot and it's oxidizing like mad but I'm worried about using my camp stove cause I do cook with it and melting pot money isn't in the works right now. Was going to get a little lee pot of amazon cause they had it for $35 but by the time I talked to the wife it was sold out and the price went back up