So I started casting about a month ago and I didn't have a casting thermometer...yet. I read what other guys were setting their LEE pots at, 7 or so on the dial, was a common theme. My early results were okay and after some advice from guys on this forum things got better. Then my thermometer arrived and I had to see what I was actually casting at. Well it turns out that 7 and a half was pushing 900 degrees. I was seeing the rainbow on top of the melt. I played with the pot temperature settings until I was able to get the melt at 750, which turned out to be just under 5 on the dial.
What a difference!!! I was able to maintain a rhythm, cast some great boolits and make small temp adjustments when needed.
I bought my thermometer from Rotometals, they say it's the same as the RCBS unit. Does anyone know if that's true? How does one know if their thermometer is accurate/calibrated ? I was just wondering if the temps displayed can be trusted. It seemed to be a very useful tool.
Is there anything else I should know regarding thermometer use?
Thanks