Ripples on my cast rbs??

[Jesse Patterson]

I just bought a 530 bag mold and I'm trying to learn to cast my own rbs. I have been getting small ripples on my casted rbs. what causes this or is it normal?? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[GreyWhiskers]

Ripples or wrinkles are probably due to low a casting temperature. Pure lead needs to be purty hot to cast correctly. And make sure the mold stays hot, especially almuminum molds.

 

[George T.]

Yeah the lead or mold were not hot enough or both.You can expect to get a few when starting a casting session. Let the lead come up to temprature and fluxing it and skimming the top will help also. Good Luck! Geo. T. BTW! They probably have air bubbles as well!

 

[Birddog6]

Probably the mold was not up to temp. I put one corner of the mold in the lead so it heats as the lead does.

Keith Lisle

 

[Jesse Patterson]

I'm gonna put them back in the pot.Can bore butter be used to flux?? I have a good place to start so thank yall for the help!

Jesse

 

[Billnpatti]

Bore Butter can work but I use little bits of candle wax. Bees wax is another good flux. Be sure to have plenty of ventillation. If you are outside, or in an open garage and have a fire extinguisher on hand, you can ignite the smoke and minimize the smoke and odor of the flux burning off. If you don't use more than a piece about the size of a pea, the flame will be pretty small and not last very long.

 

[Rifleman1776]

IMHO, and experience, no need to put anything into the pot for fluxing. Just stir and skim frequently.

 

[Billnpatti]

I suppose both ways work. There seem to be more fluxers than non-fluxers but whatever works for you. I seem to get cleaner lead when I flux. More dirt and "stuff" comes to the surface to be skimmed off when I flux. But, you've been doing it long enough to know what works for you.

 

[Naphtali]

If the temperature adjustment does not solve your problem, you might add tin to the lead. I use 30:1 for both RB and squat conical in my .72-caliber rifles. A small amount of tin allows easier ladle pour AND a more thoroughly filled mold cavity.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jesse Patterson]

I was tryn to cast a few yesterday and the pivot pin on my bag mold broke. I called totw and they said they would replace it. I guess it is somthing that happens sometimes. when I heated the mold up the pin expended and the hole contracted so when I opened them they broke. The way I warmed them up was I set them on top of the ladle on the lead before I used them. Well,I'm headed for Missouri tomorrow to hunt their alternative season so it might be a day or two before I'm back on here. I really appreciate everyone's advice! Will work more on tryn to cast when I get back.

Jesse

 

[nkbj]

Best wishes on your hunt. Bring some pictures even if you don't bring meat!

 

[Jesse Patterson]

Thank you and I'm sure I'll bring back some pics to post!