Start Casting

[3GRacing]

Thanks for the replies, stayin busy, just waiting on the book. -3G

[jsizemore]

This is a good source to read till that Lyman thingy gets there:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...or-Handgunners

The lasc.us site has some good stuff too.

[3GRacing]

This is a good source to read till that Lyman thingy gets there:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...or-Handgunners

The lasc.us site has some good stuff too.

Lots of good info there, thx js- 3G

[3GRacing]

Started casting. I went with a Lee bottom pour, Lee 1- 2 cavity molds, Lee sizers figuring if I didn't like it I'm not out that much. Took a chance on some ebay lead for a dollar+ a pound which tested at 15 using the sketch pencil method. I started with 240g .44 for my 1894 Marlin and learned, hands on, about breaking in the mold, fluxing, lead and mold temps, pouring, wiping molds with 2 cycle oil and quenching. I pan lubed with Carnauba Red with no problems. I sized and loaded them with the starting load for Unique, they flew straight but low, next time I'll add a pinch more powder and see how it goes. For the 45-70 I used a Lee .459 405g hollow based single cavity mold, same lead, same lube. Sized to .459 and loaded with IMR4198 .5 gr over the starting load, these flew straight as well about 2" high at 60yds (rifle is sighted for 325g FTX @100yds). Needless to say I'm hooked and seeing the results on paper after casting and loading sank the hook deeper. Again, thanks for everybodys input. ...and Merry Christmas!

[toallmy]

Perfect

[slim1836]

Hook, line, and sinker. It only gets worse from here. Congrats and well done.

Slim

[Winger Ed.]

Well done. I'd recommend getting both Lyman books. Their reloading manual and the cast boolit handbook.
Lots of good info in there, plus some very interesting reading.

[3GRacing]

I have the Lyman Manual and you're right lots of good info. I found an old Lyman 45 sizer, cleaned it up and am in the middle of the learning curve with that.
Question- when I set the sprues in the molten pot they melt but when I set the boolits I've culled in the pot they bubble, why is that? So far I've quenched everything I've cast.
And Happy New Year!

[robg]

You'll need to run your pot hot for big boolits or you get wrinkles etc .smaller boolits seem to be less fussy about temp and speed of casting.