Help with Lyman #2 alloy

[Claudius]

Hi all, I have a problem casting my PP bullets using the Lyman #2 alloy, but as you can see in th attached pictures, the bullets have a rough surface on the half of their body. My temps are about 360°/380°C, I don't know how to get perfect and shiny bullets. Thank you for your help.

279702

279703

[8shot]

I've only been at this for a couple months...this forum has got me doing great now. From my rookie experience I had the same problem with 4 cavity brass molds. I finally jumped the alloy heat up to 800f (426c) and dropped the lead in the mold with more volume to fill it up faster. Of course mold pre-heat is the norm.

[Soundguy]

That can be caused from dross on the bottom of the pot or dipper when pouring.. or other ash.. etc.

[prs]

I looked on our acronym or abbreviation chard for "PP", but no list. What is PP?

The pics show a mold that is too cold and possibly alloy too cold. Lyman 2 should cast like a dream. I cast with a mix of about 95/2.5/2.5 which i half "richness" of Lyman 2 and I set pot temp to 635F and I pre-heat my molds. I cast the first 5 drops of the mold fast and furious and cull those. Then drop keepers at a steady no too slow rate. Doing so, I do not get mirror bright boolits, but rather a modest frost which I like for powder coating. The rich blend of Sn and Sb of Lyman #2 is not as condusive to shiny boolits as is more pure lead, but it makes GREAT boolits!

ps

[Claudius]

Thank for your replies, "PP" stands for "Paper Patch" bullets.

[Paper Puncher]

PP = Paper Patch

You are casting in the 680 F to 716 F range. I would bring up the temp to 750 F or bit higher (400 C) and see how that works.

[Claudius]

Next time I'll try to clean the Lee pot more accurately before starting to make new bullets, also I'll try to flux better and a bit higher temps.

[Soundguy]

Higher temps help, and a warmed mold
Keeps first few drops from flash freezing. And ash removal REALLY helps... Can make a mottled or matte finish.( not to be mistaken for frosting which are too hot molds..etc ).