Looking Furnace for Casting bullets not processing ingots any recommendations

[Gunners Mate]

As the title states I am looking for a new furnace to cast bullets from need some recommendations for good equipment budget is 500.00 bucks +/-

[BLAHUT]

Lee pot holds 10 lbs of lead

[imashooter2]

$500 will buy you any of the Lyman, RCBS or Lee bottom pour pots. My preference is for the Lee Pro 4 at under $100.

[bangerjim]

The Lee 4-20 pots have served me for years with no drips as others are always moaning about.

Get one and you will probably (!!??) have $400 left over to buy all the other stuff you need.

banger

[Winger Ed.]

There's nothing wrong with the bigger Lee pots.
However- I'd look for a gently used 'big name' older one that isn't all computerized, digital, and connects to wi-fi or satellites
such as a older RCBS Pro-Melt or similar one that holds 20 pounds.

[farmbif]

lee currently has 4-20 pots in closeout section in stock and like 30% off. it will do everything you need to do.

[Gunners Mate]

Is The Lyman Mag 25 Digital a good piece of equipment

What is the gold standard for bottom pour pots ????

[Winger Ed.]

Digital stuff is fine, but none of it likes being hot. At least not for very long.
That helps explain why digital controlled Lead pots tend to fail before their time and get a bad reputation.

[GregLaROCHE]

Lee 4-20 pots are used by many and is a good place to start.

[Wheelguns 1961]

I have cast many thousands of bullets with a Lee 4-20 pro pot. They work great! You can add a pid to it, and a noe mold guide for a top notch setup. Like winger ed says, the heat tends to work against the digital controls. The added pid keeps the digital controls away from the heat.

[ChuckO]

I am quite satisfied with a Lee 4-20 pro pot. Using a PID control keeps the melt consistent at various lead levels very well. I don't like the pots with a PID built in because of the heat problem. Heat build-up is a leading cause of electronic failure, so a PID in an external box keeps things cool. Put the other $300 or so into molds and lead.

[country gent]

The $500.00 budget allows for most pots in the reloading market along with some in the commercial market. The size quantity of bullets will determine the size of the pot. IE Wanting to cast several hundred 45 cal heavy weights at 13 per pound a 20 lb furnace would be much better than a 5 or 10 lber. Look over whats out there watch the used sites and see what looks good.

[Gunners Mate]

All Thank you for the suggestions picked up a RCBS Promelt, reading through the old posts I found on this forum The promelt seemed to be favored by many bullet casters.

Now I can feed my 45/70s

[Walter Laich]

added a cover and shelf to my original one: https://www.opennrg.com/product/rcbs-pro-melt-upgrade-kit/

also coverted the handle to pull-down to open; much easier on my elbow

in pictures you can see the 12-gauge wire I used to hold my PID temp probe.

also you can see how I modified pour controls

https://www.jm-leather.com/western%20holsters/39625997220_268bf701c6_z.jpg
https://www.jm-leather.com/western%20holsters/41435200091_db28bec82d_z.jpg

[Targa]

I have both the Lee 4-20 and the 10lb Lee production IV pot. They have worked wonderfully and as much as I would like to get a RCBS Pro Melt 2, I just can’t get myself to justify the cost.

[Targa]

Duplicate

[gwpercle]

If you cast with a dipper ... the kind with the little side spout ... the 20 pound capacity Lee Magnum Melter , which was on sale for $60, is an absolute winner winner chicken dinner !
Worth every penny .
Gary

[38-72]

I have one of these: SHILOH LEAD MELTING POT and its under $500. Works great with or without a PID.

[JimB..]

added a cover and shelf to my original one: https://www.opennrg.com/product/rcbs-pro-melt-upgrade-kit/

also coverted the handle to pull-down to open; much easier on my elbow

in pictures you can see the 12-gauge wire I used to hold my PID temp probe.

also you can see how I modified pour controls

https://www.jm-leather.com/western%20holsters/39625997220_268bf701c6_z.jpg
https://www.jm-leather.com/western%20holsters/41435200091_db28bec82d_z.jpg

Like those mods!