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1911KY
08-15-2014, 02:35 AM
I would like to thank everyone on here for putting up with us newbies and answering our questions. The information I find on here is invaluable. My first cast was largely a success producing 69 shootable 200 gr .452 SWC.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p628/jamesearnett/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140815_015937_zps9zgdbdiv.jpg (http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/jamesearnett/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140815_015937_zps9zgdbdiv.jpg.html)

It was a bit of a challenge as the bottom pour spout on my melter was stopped up so I had to hand pour all of these casts. I should have cleared the blockage before I started, lesson learned. After I cleared the pot I attempted to drill out the spout and ended up breaking 5 different drill bits. So, I am just going to order a replacement pot from Lee for $8.

I cleaned my mold with dawn, a toothbrush and hot water. Then I smoked it with a butane lighter and no issues getting bullets to drop. Fill out was good as long as I did my part on the pour. I was having more issues with the cavity nearest the sprue plate screw, but I think it had more to do with the ladle pour and angle of the mold.

All in all, I am pleased with the outcome and am looking forward to seeing how they shoot.

dromia
08-15-2014, 04:23 AM
Nice boolits, well done!

s mac
08-15-2014, 08:46 AM
Many times your spout isn't so much plugged, but cold. Take a butane lighter or propane torch and thaw it out.
Welcome to the hobby.

gray wolf
08-15-2014, 08:47 AM
Lube, size, load , shoot
ENJOY
Nice Job, nice boolits

Wayne Smith
08-15-2014, 08:51 AM
Enjoy. I can't respond to the pot issues because I ladle pour everything. My advice is to re-clean your mould and cast with it bare naked. I'll bet the boolits release just as easily. 99% of the time smoking a mould simply covers up problems better solved. I'm not surprised Lee recommends it.

SSGOldfart
08-15-2014, 09:10 AM
just keep on doing whatever your doing they look great, and remember casting can get a little out of hand unless your careful,you don't need every mold made, lol welcome enjoy the hobby

wrench
08-15-2014, 09:19 AM
Congratulations, those are pretty bullets!
A nice feeling, isn't it?:castmine:

Garyshome
08-15-2014, 10:47 AM
Clean your spout out with a piece of mechanics wire bent on a 90 and a pair of pliers stick it in from the bottom.

1911KY
08-15-2014, 11:58 AM
Thanks guys, I was surprised that my pot stayed around 700 degrees while I was casting with the knob set on 6. With all the PID talk on here I was expecting to constantly be adjusting the knob.

I tried a butane lighter, I tried a paper clip from both directions, I tried a small aluminum rod a little bigger than a paper clip from both directions, I tried running a file across the bottom of the spout, I tried drilling from inside while holding the butane lighter to the underside of the spout. After all of this it would not budge. I bought the pot used, so the previous owner may have welded it shut, which would explain why the rod and handle were removed. Oh well, a new $8 pot insert will solve the problem.

I hear ya SSGOldfart, I almost bought another mold last night when I was ordering the new pot, but I decided I didn't need a round nose flat tip mold as I have a SWC and RN mold.

Wrench, it is a great feeling knowing that I no longer need to purchase bullets as long as I can scrounge some lead!

I had about 40 or so casts that were wrinkled, deformed or just in-complete fills mainly from the nearest cavity. It was hard to get a good ladle fill with the angled rod running down the middle of the pot. I removed the handle and rod for some casting I will do tonight. Once my new pot arrives I should be able to start pouring from the pot.

Cherokee
08-15-2014, 02:23 PM
Congrats - good looking boolits...time to shoot them.

dragonrider
08-15-2014, 04:29 PM
10 or 20 lb pot?

1911KY
08-15-2014, 05:40 PM
10 lb Lee Production Pot.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p628/jamesearnett/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140812_232641_zpsxucaxkut.jpg

bedbugbilly
08-15-2014, 06:41 PM
Lokin' good! Now shoot 'em and start all over again! Enjoy - you did a great job on them!

1911KY
08-15-2014, 07:16 PM
Thanks, I am going to do a few hundred 230 gr RN tonight and then powder coat all of them before I load them up and take them out to the range. (I have never put any SWC thru any of my guns so I want to see if they function before I cast anymore of them)

captaint
08-16-2014, 06:30 AM
Wait a minute SSGOF - We don't need every mold made ??? I wish you would have mentioned that sooner. I could have saved lots of money and storage space !!

dondiego
08-16-2014, 10:04 AM
I don't know about your 10 pound pot, but my 20 pound Lee has the spout as a separate piece from the pot itself. You may only need a new spout.

43PU
08-16-2014, 10:26 AM
you will like those bullets they feed AWESOME Through any 45 I have from a Reising to a Taurus

43PU

canyon-ghost
08-16-2014, 10:47 AM
I have to heat my pot up and then tinker with the spout a bit. Usually, I can just spin the rod and clear it in a few minutes. I've only recently went to the pro 20 pot and 6 cavity molds. I started out years ago with the little Lyman 10lb. dipper pot and a ladle. Either way, there is a lot to learn (and a lot of fun to be had). SWC generally just require that the paper ridge not interfere with chambering the round. They'll only do that if the bullet is set too far forward. Otherwise, nothing special.

It's good to see a guy enjoying the hobby, love helping the newbies. I've learned a lot from this forum too.

Good Luck,
Ron

Gtek
08-16-2014, 11:19 AM
When you get your DRIP-O-MATIC pot back up to speed your ready for the real fun to start. May I suggest finding a pan to place under pot that will contain entire contents of pot (insert the horrible mess story here). Also the addition of weight on lever will help along with lapping seat. Just remember you are always welcome back at Club Ladle, we are a little slower but still a great crowd. Good looking boolits!

Rich/WIS
08-16-2014, 01:44 PM
I use the same bullet and it is excellent. Feed issues are often OAL issues. Based on advice from this forum I increased OAL on mine to between 1.240 and 1.250 and the occasional failure to feed problem went away.

1911KY
08-16-2014, 09:26 PM
Well all of my drilling from the other night put a crack in the spout, just not where I wanted it to be. So the new pot should be here Monday and I will be able to start pouring from the spout.

I hand poured another 120 last night with a dripping pot, these were 230 gr RN.
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p628/jamesearnett/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140816_023052_zpsxc65hcmp.jpg

I am heading up to Wallyworld in a little while to get my powder coating supplies and I will get all my casts coated and baked.

Then I will put a charge behind them and takem to the range.

Foto Joe
08-17-2014, 08:53 AM
I've run thousands of those Lee 200gr SWC's through 1911's and they feed without issue. I'll second the suggestion that you clean the smoke out of the cavities though, you really don't want anything in the cavity other than lead. If you have problems with the boolits dropping simply polish the cavities with comet on a cast boolit with a little water and a screw in the base and you're in business. I understand that the Lee instructions for their molds say to smoke the cavities but it really isn't necessary.

As far as your spout not pouring, I've found with the Lee bottom pour pots that a between 700° and 750° is necessary. Heat rises and the spout is of course at the bottom of the pot causing it to be slightly cooler than where your thermometer probe might be. Also with a bottom pour you're not constantly "stirring" the pot with a ladle so theoretically you will have cooler temps at the bottom.

Another tip for controlling you temperature is to leave the adjustment knob alone once you find your sweet spot. You can adjust the temp down by adding back your sprues and the chunk from your drip pan (small tart pan works good on Lee bottom pours) if you notice it creeping above 750°.

bruce381
08-19-2014, 11:19 PM
my drip o matic is set at 5.5-6 on the knob and really never change it, just get your mold hot first.

Reminds me to buy a small electric stove thing to put mold on.

Foto Joe
08-20-2014, 07:59 AM
Personally I've never understood the hotplate thing. I just set my mold(s) across the top of the pot after I've got my alloy up to the level that I want and preheat them there. Within five pours I'm dropping purty boolits.

Oleman
08-20-2014, 01:20 PM
Great looking bullets. Let us know how they shot for you.

Vinne
08-20-2014, 02:04 PM
WOW, look at those beauties. Well done for your first time. CAST ON!!!

tmc-okc
08-21-2014, 06:33 PM
Wayne in post # 5 suggested "Enjoy. I can't respond to the pot issues because I ladle pour everything. My advice is to re-clean your mould and cast with it bare naked."

WOW, I want to be wearing all the protective gear I have when I cast. - LOL But if Wayne is 6' 0", Blonde, 38,24,36 and female and casting bare naked THEN I want to be standing with her - pouring lead !!! - LOL

Ron H

Kimber bob
08-21-2014, 08:51 PM
Yes I use the same setup but with the 20 lb version from lee. Only time it started to drip I followed the instruction and moved the flow screw in and out a few times. No more leak. Also your idea of testing a few boolits is a good one. These shoot fine in my Kimber and the ruger sr 1911. Hope they work well for you too

jeepyj
08-21-2014, 09:08 PM
Nice looking boolits. Me thinks your significant other won't see you for a while between the casting testing and repeating!
jeepyj

TXGunNut
08-21-2014, 09:20 PM
Good job, welcome to the affliction!

DrCaveman
08-22-2014, 01:22 AM
Nice looking boolits. I like that 230 rn tumble lube mold, it has shot real well for me

Never liked the lee 200 swc, too many problems that were IMMEDIATELY overcome by the h&g 68 clone from accurate. But plenty others like it

Did i mention, nice looking boolits? How soft are they? So shiny and pretty, it usually takes me pouring near pure lead for that. Are you maybe doing a 20:1? Or even 30:1?

1911KY
08-22-2014, 12:33 PM
I cast another 180 a couple of nights ago. Still working on PCing them. These are cast from range scrap ingots so they are fairly soft. I haven't tested the hardness but I get a full melt around 600 degrees F.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p628/jamesearnett/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140822_002845_zpszt62yhla.jpg

1911KY
08-22-2014, 12:35 PM
I found that if I keep the molten lead around 700 degrees F they turn out real shiny. Below 650 and they have a little frosted look to them.

tigerbight
08-22-2014, 04:16 PM
I,m still gearing up for my first pours and I already have 15 Molds hmmmmmmm

dondiego
08-23-2014, 10:50 AM
You're gonna do well tiger!