Ron B.
02-21-2009, 02:36 PM
Good Colorado morning!
A confession of sorts; I've been casting now for about 4 years. I use RCBS ProMelt Casting Rig. The temperature dial reads up to 850 degrees. I've learned to turn ithe rheostat up all the way, and leave it there. I try maintaining the temperature of my lead in the 800 range, never allowing the level in the pot to get below halfway. To better control heat, I simply cast alternating between 3 to 4 molds; at times, some aluminum. My steel Saeco, Lyman, and RCBS molds seem to handle/distribute heat better than the several Lees I have. I like my Lees however. Unlike many, I like to see a slight frost on my bullets. When I reach this level of heat, my castings are good and solid. Too much frosting, I know to give that partiicular mold a break.
I've got a picture here of my mold storage system below. Those magnetic strips are ideal, IMO for hanging/holding molds. I also leave lead stored in my molds. Here, in the mountains of Colorado we have very low humidity. So, rusting is not an issue.
Being I recycle much of my lead, having my own berm/range to collect from, my mix of alloy is a mystery. I'd like to say I know the hardness and content of all my mixtures; just not true. And, there is really no way to tell. Funny, shooting my 45-70, 45LCs, 32-40, 38-55, 50-70s, I prefer my bullets to be softer, than harder. I just have better luck with accuracy. And, absolutely no leading.
Thanks for letting me share a little of my knowledge; though flawed it probably is. :)
Hey Ken,
Your pictures look just like mine! Thanks Buddy for helping me out! :)
Here's a better one of my casting area ---
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm126/GoldenRoyBoy/PannedCastArea.jpg
Here's an area I try my best to avoid; a GunNutz is always in there!
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm126/GoldenRoyBoy/RELOADROOM.jpg
GRB
A confession of sorts; I've been casting now for about 4 years. I use RCBS ProMelt Casting Rig. The temperature dial reads up to 850 degrees. I've learned to turn ithe rheostat up all the way, and leave it there. I try maintaining the temperature of my lead in the 800 range, never allowing the level in the pot to get below halfway. To better control heat, I simply cast alternating between 3 to 4 molds; at times, some aluminum. My steel Saeco, Lyman, and RCBS molds seem to handle/distribute heat better than the several Lees I have. I like my Lees however. Unlike many, I like to see a slight frost on my bullets. When I reach this level of heat, my castings are good and solid. Too much frosting, I know to give that partiicular mold a break.
I've got a picture here of my mold storage system below. Those magnetic strips are ideal, IMO for hanging/holding molds. I also leave lead stored in my molds. Here, in the mountains of Colorado we have very low humidity. So, rusting is not an issue.
Being I recycle much of my lead, having my own berm/range to collect from, my mix of alloy is a mystery. I'd like to say I know the hardness and content of all my mixtures; just not true. And, there is really no way to tell. Funny, shooting my 45-70, 45LCs, 32-40, 38-55, 50-70s, I prefer my bullets to be softer, than harder. I just have better luck with accuracy. And, absolutely no leading.
Thanks for letting me share a little of my knowledge; though flawed it probably is. :)
Hey Ken,
Your pictures look just like mine! Thanks Buddy for helping me out! :)
Here's a better one of my casting area ---
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm126/GoldenRoyBoy/PannedCastArea.jpg
Here's an area I try my best to avoid; a GunNutz is always in there!
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm126/GoldenRoyBoy/RELOADROOM.jpg
GRB