What's the best temp for casting RB's?

[TexasAndy]

I was wondering if there is a consensus on the best temperature for casting round balls??

 

[bang]

800

 

[Archer 756]

That depends on lead mix.

 

[TexasAndy]

That depends on lead mix.

99.9% pure

 

[bubba.50]

I run my Lee pot wide open, use Lee moulds and pour as fast as l can open & close the mould.

 

[hanshi]

I do what bubba.50 does.

 

[andy52]

I don't use a thermometer just watch the surface of the lead, when it starts to turn blue I turn it down just a bit and pour.

 

[William P Sepessy]

Pure lead likes a little more heat than alloy mixes. "Bang" mentioned 800 degrees and I agree, as I usually have success with round ball at that temp. Any wrinkles and increase the temp a bit. I use a thermometer as most of my molds are aluminum and multiple(5 & 6) cavity. These can over heat and get a little sticky if running too hot.

 

[S.Kenton]

I run mine not wide open, but about 3/4... it starts turning blue and I start pouring. I do have issues with crust and impurities coming from my lead as I’m not too picky about cleaning it before melting...

 

[forty_caliber]

Thermostats vary widely. My furnace works best for round ball (best product) around 630-640. I run conicals for metallic cartridge closer to 700.

.40

 

[mooman76]

There is no one set temperature to use when casting. Everyone casts different and there are allot of variables. speed of casting, type of mould, cavity size, alloy and so on. I do agree though pure lead needs to be run pretty hot. a tiny touch of tin will help the mould fill out with out making a real difference in hardness. I start out hot and as things get going and the mould heats up, I turn the heat down. It's good if it takes about 3 or 4 seconds for the lead to cool enough that I can drop the cast out. Longer is hotter than needed and takes more time. If it cools too quickly or not getting good fill out, temp needs to go up.

 

[Flintlock]

When the coals are hot enough to melt the lead.

 

[TomV]

I was wondering if there is a consensus on the best temperature for casting round balls??

Depends on the weight and its consistency you want. I found .049 cast 167 with good timing will be about 180gr in a dual cavity mould, about 175 in a single. Higher the temp heavier the ball and higher variable in weight due to the heat retained in the mould. At 167 I can usually keep them within 1gr from heaviest to lightest. I can see the result on my targets.

 

[Rifleman1776]

This is one of those issues where the best answer is: whatever works best for you. For myself, I cast between 650 and 700 degrees. Works for me.

 

[Jim Wag]

Well
Certainly not at today's temperature
Twenty degrees
Snowing hard

Sorry

Jim in La Luz

 

[andy52]

Well
Certainly not at today's temperature
Twenty degrees
Snowing hard

Sorry

Jim in La Luz

Wow you got a heat wave going, it was -8 when I got up this morning.

 

[Jim Wag]

Wow you got a heat wave going, it was -8 when I got up this morning.

I'm a road lizard from
Arizona
Still not acclimated to this
Eastern weather here in
South central
New Mexico

Jim in La Luz

 

[Tb54]

I would say since I cast from a cast iron pot on a coal fire outside... about 70*F. Maybe a bit less, and slightly breezy.

 

[user 34300]

I was wondering if there is a consensus on the best temperature for casting round balls??

I only use pure lead for balls. So, 800* based on a thermometer. I use Lee gang molds and they must be preheated. I leave the on top of the pot while the lead melts. I use a bottom pour Lee pot and leave a puddle on the sprue plate. I look for a casting cadence that gives a 3-5 count for the sprue to solidify. The time depends on both the temperature of the blocks and the lead.

 

[Don Steele]

I use a thermometer. I'm one of those "detail oriented" types, not satisfied with "well, that looks OK..". According to my records..( I also keep logs of all this stuff.. ) Maintaining 800 degrees works best. I use a LEE bottom pour pot. I have found that fabricating a sort of "field expedient" lid/cover for the pot out of multiple thicknesses of heavy duty aluminium foil helps keep things more consistent. Just laid over the top with a niche for the thermometer that I leave in place during the entire casting session.
Some of the best advice I ever received regarding bullet casting of all types and alloys went something like this:
"Get everything up to temperature and once you start getting good ones coming out of your mold, go like hell".
That's not an admonition to be reckless, but to proceed without delays or interruptions. Establish a rhythm and avoid distractions.
Hope this helps.