reccomend melter and mould

[buttonbuck]

This is the season to be dropping cash. I wanted to order a LEE melter would you go with the 10 lb bottom pour or the 20 lb melter, which is easier to use? Also I plan to order a round ball mould for the plains pistol and the renegade both 54 cal. I can choose between lee 530 and 535, I was more curious on what you all find the be better choice. My guns shoot both sizes 530 and 535 well at hunting ranges but the balls I have shot were swagged hornady balls not cast. I know that lee moulds are cheap but so am I. I know someone will tell me to order a lyman.

 

[Le Grand]

I'd recommend a Rapine bag mould, a good lead ladle and a campfire.

 

[samerch]

Lee 20 pound pot, Lee moulds work fine.
Merch

 

[jtmattison]

Lee bottom pour pot and Lee molds. If your gun likes .530 and .535 then pick which one you want and go for it. I recommend a double cavity mold if you want to produce more balls at a faster rate.


HD

 

[cowpoke1955]

You say you are cheap. Well, check out the prices at F&M Reloading: http://www.fmreloading.com/ . I've been using the Lee Production Pot IV and Lee double cavity molds for over 20 years. They are great. You were torn between .530 and .535 molds. At F&M prices, you can get both. Good luck :thumbsup: .

 

[silverfox]

buttonbuck go with what cowpoke1055 said. F @ M Reloading they are the cheapest you will find for Lee Molds.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[Frank/Pa]

I had a Lee 10 pound bottom pour for over 20 years and just bought the 20 pound pot to replace it. I like the 20 pound pot much better. I have Lee, Lyman, and Rapine molds and they are all good. If you are on a budget, go with the Lee molds. They are only $15-$20, and they have been good for me for over 20 years and thousands of balls.

 

[Otter]

Lee 20# pot & Lee moulds are more than satisfactory. Get a dipper to at least give you the option of ladleing rather than bottom pour. I prefer ladleing myself. BTW - I'm cheap, too, we have a large club.

 

[buttonbuck]

I am really just wondering which size most people use or found useful The whole debate between bigger patch or bigger ball really out to 50 yards with the renegade the differance was nill. I plan to order tomorrow on the 11th from f and m in reality since I have lead the option is open to get a lee mould for a little more than the price of a box of roundballs. Please submit some strong opinions 530 over 535 or vice versa, also does lee moulds tend to run the balls smaller than lymann. I got some in 60 cal cast in a lyman I believe and they are sure tight to get down the smooth bore. I hope my 60 cal lee mould is a bit smaller I mean I know an inch is an inch but companies can be a bit subjective.

 

[buttonbuck]

OK I done did it I ordered the melter and a 530 double cavity lee mould, I have 36 lb of soft lead ingots and I aim to use them We will see how this goes come spring time and I am really looking forward to casting. I may go to a buddys shop this winter who has a paint type exhaust.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

I have had a Lee bottom pour pot for about 30 years and it is still going strong. I have many iron moulds by different makers, but last few years all new moulds purchased have been Lee. Not only due to price, but also quality, follow their included common sense instructions and you will have no problems with Lee products.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

I am really just wondering which size most people use or found useful The whole debate between bigger patch or bigger ball really out to 50 yards with the renegade the differance was nill. I plan to order tomorrow on the 11th from f and m in reality since I have lead the option is open to get a lee mould for a little more than the price of a box of roundballs. Please submit some strong opinions 530 over 535 or vice versa, also does lee moulds tend to run the balls smaller than lymann. I got some in 60 cal cast in a lyman I believe and they are sure tight to get down the smooth bore. I hope my 60 cal lee mould is a bit smaller I mean I know an inch is an inch but companies can be a bit subjective.

It all depends on the mould size. In my .62 smooth bore with balls from a .600" mould, they are tight with any patch over .010" thick, but from a .590" mould I can use thicker patch material with easy loading.

For just casual rock shooting with a .600" ball out to about 50 yards, using a bare ball, over powder card and lubed wad beneath ball with an over shot card, accuracy is actually quite good.

 

[mazo kid]

Since you have 2 different pistols, I would recommend the .530 mold; this will give you some leeway as to patch thickness. When I started casting my own balls, I used an old cast iron hot plate and ladled my lead and that worked fine. Then I got the 10# Lee pot and that has been very reliable. Over the years, I picked up a used RCBS 20 pounder and also a Lee 20# pot. About the only advantage with the larger pots is the ability to use larger ingots or pieces of lead. The RCBS is very pricey....The little 10# Lee should do you nicely at the least cost, and 10# of lead makes a LOT of round balls. The 20# pots come in handy when I am casting bullets for my BPCR rifles where they weigh anywhere from 300 to 550 grains each. That drains a pot pretty fast! With the Lee molds, keep the alignment pins and sprue plate lubed, it will keep your molds running a lot smoother. I use a lube called Bull Plate, a little goes a long way.










#

 

[rebel727]

Using stick on wheel weights my .530 balls mic at .529 out of a Lee double mold. :thumbsup:

 

[buttonbuck]

thanks all I ordered the 20 lb pot becuase the price difference was nil at F&M I ordered the 530 because that is what was in the tc manual for the renegade, I am just pshched about casting this spring when it is warm.

 

[texcl]

I've used lee moulds for 17 years now, and have never been disapointed. As a matter of fact I like them better than lyman, since I don't have to change handles and such, plus the blocks heat faster so I have less of a warm up time and the sprue is smaller to boot.Rapine makes good moulds to in the less common sizes and styles. I do think that the single ball mould is the way to go for a beginner, I think they are more consistant and easier to use due to having more metal to hold heat, I just have better results with them, not to say a double mould is hard to use, I just think a single is a little easier.

 

[buttonbuck]

thanks all I checked my order over the pone with F&M LEE has a 6 week backlog since the election there has been such high demand for bullet casting and reloading equiptment that LEE is expanding and hiring new people. I guess Obama is creating good jobs in the private sector. but I can't cast until it warms up or I go get to a good spray booth to use, I guess I plan to scrounge up a bunch of LEAD. I have 36 lb in ingots so far going to call the scrap yard.

 

[R.M.]

but I can't cast until it warms up or I go get to a good spray booth to use,

Why is that? As long as you cast in a garage or shed, you should be OK. If you're worried about"Lead Fumes", forget it. At normal casting temps, there are no lead fumes. You do get some smell from oils and dirt and such, that you don't want in your house, or Mama will smack you up side the head, but they aren't harmful.

 

[buttonbuck]

it gets darn cold here in the winter in Illinois.