Left is first ever bullet drop from one of my molds and then ones on the right is the end of my first casting session. Was somewhat easier than I was expecting and I had to go slower than I initially expected to. Left is .309-200 and right is .429-200. 300 blackout and 44 magnum wheel gun. Now on to the 250# of lead ingots I make on Friday.
Last edited by cervelorod; 03-17-2024 at 06:20 PM.
Cool.
It's like riding a motorcycle or flying a airplane--- the more ya do it, the better you'll get.
In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.
OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
EVERYONE!
Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.
Great first casing session. Long skinny bullets can be a challenge to fill but it looks like your lube grooves are well formed. Those are shootable bullets.
There are a few wrinkles to work on next time so make sure your molds are thoroughly degreased and give them a good smoke. You also might want to try increasing the heat a little. I like to cast my rifle bullets hot. With pistols and offhand shooting a small wrinkle will not make a difference.
I am now giving my molds a coat of mold release before each session--usually 18 lb--run the original Pro-Melt down below the PID sensor each time.
they say to bake it in but it takes all of 2 minutes and because the is acetone in it, dries in seconds
It lets the bullets drop out
something to think about down the trail (no associated other than a happy camper with it)
https://hi-performancebulletcoatings.com/mold-release/
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Very Nice !
Congratulations !!!
Drinks are on me
Gary
Certified Cajun
Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
" Let's Go Brandon !"
and so it begins
I remember I started out much the same way
be carefull it's fun and addicting
enjoy
Hit em'hard
hit em'often
It is an addiction.
Try to keep a low profile around the family.
We don't want to see you being dragged into a room kicking and screaming on one of those interdiction TV shows.
In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.
OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
EVERYONE!
Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.
+1 on the higher casting temperature. Also pre-heat the mold. Sometimes a mold will be very finicky on pour rate so try faster and slower rates. One of my iron molds takes a good 100 bullets to heat up so I count on pre-heating that lump of iron. Small cavity and big lump syndrome.
Also try adding a small amount of tin. It can help cast at a lower melt temperature. I have no problem casting @ 900°F. And my hard alloy into the 00 buck mold takes that. I believe it is because the feed stock holes between pellets is so darn small.
KB
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You've gotten the "hang of it" a whole lot quicker than I ever did. Nice work.
Old retired guy in Baton Rouge La.
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