My first batch

[ndh87]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d136/ndh87/photo3.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d136/ndh87/photo2.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d136/ndh87/photo1.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d136/ndh87/photo4.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d136/ndh87/photo5.jpg

Cast from wheel weights in a 2 cavity lee 45-70 mold.

They all weigh out at 408 to 410 grns and .457 to .459 diameter. The lube is about 2 parts vaseline and 1.5 parts candle wax (thats all I had on hand)

Anyone see anything that might be an issue with this batch or should i load 'em, shoot 'em and post the results?

--side note, definately got the bug for this now, shoulda started casting years ago

[school of mines]

Nice job! I would shoot them.

[John in WI]

I would definitely load them and shoot them!

Looks like you have good mold fillout (no wrinkles and nice sharp edges), and the perfect amount of lube.

Be careful--I started with a handful of WW and a single fishing sinker mold, and I'm already up to 5 molds and at least 200# of lead since late last winter. One of these days reloading will start saving me money...

[500MAG]

They look great. Thats the exact pot I started with 25 years ago and I just got tired of seeing it sit the past 15 years on the shelf. Sold it a couple months ago and it was still working fine. Nice to see you using the gloves. I wasn't so smart when I started out and learned a lesson quick like.

[Fishman]

Those look pretty good. I like casting the big ones too!

The bases 'might' be a little rounded off, unless you are casting a bevel base. Maybe try a little hotter next time. I also suggest amhot plate to preheat your mould, particularly with the small pot. I got mine for $13 at Walgreens just the other day and I can't believe the difference.

[captaint]

Load & shoot ?? Yes. Couple of suggestions, though. Hey, we've all been there, right ?? You might clean that alloy good. Maybe get the mold a little hotter and add a some tin to the mix for better fillout. You're looking good though. It is a process. That's what makes it interesting... enjoy Mike

[1Shirt]

Good start! Pay attenetion to suggestions, they are appropriate.
1Shirt!

[ndh87]

I'll have to try both those suggestions. When I turned the temp up on my pot past where I had it the top layer would start to get a goldish color to it? Is that a bad thing? What is a good source of tin that I can add in?

[runfiverun]

the gold color is tin oxide.
mold temp will fix the fill-out on the drive bands

[500MAG]

I'll have to try both those suggestions. When I turned the temp up on my pot past where I had it the top layer would start to get a goldish color to it? Is that a bad thing? What is a good source of tin that I can add in?

I use pewter. I pick it up at flea markets & thrift stores. Pewter bud vases, bowls, mugs. Be careful not to mistake Wilton armetale for pewter, most are marked "RWP" and are not pewter. Pewter is normally marked pewter. you can melt it down into small ingots to add to your lead.

[ndh87]

I'm assuming the tin oxide in that gold layer is something I want to keep in the mix, does fluxing with sawdust mix that back in?

[Ole]

Those look great.

Clean up tip:

Get a 2'x2' piece of thin sheet metal to work on top of (set your pot on top of the sheet metal instead of that stone wall). Once you're done casting, the lead from the drips slides right off and you can remelt it next time.

[22454]

I'm assuming the tin oxide in that gold layer is something I want to keep in the mix, does fluxing with sawdust mix that back in?

I does for me.

I also like to to throw in some crushed charcoal. It creates a nice protective barrier over the alloy, similar to sawdust but thicker.

[Gliden07]

Congrats!! Its a GREAT feeling being able to make your own!! I just finished my first run about a 11/2weeks ago (45ACP). Loaded 25 rounds for testing. Should be this coming week.