How Many Cavities ?

[Johnch]

I am getting ready to cut a new mold ... maybe 2
It will be for about #5 shot , .121 is #5 and if I get that size to work
A #4 shot mold to drop a .130 pellet
I plan on casting Bismuth & Tin shot for hunting
I will be basing the design on how the Lee round ball and buckshot molds look
I have to do some testing to see how everything will fit and work
Before I go off the deep end
I want to make the #5 shot mold work

If I can get the cavities to fill well
The opening with the Bismuth & Tin to be cut off by the sprue cutter to cut is small
I would LIKE to Maximize the number of pellets made each time I cast
But I don't want to beat on the sprue plate to make the cut off either

My question
So I was wondering
How many cavities would you think should be a good number ?

The reason I ask
I will be doing all the prep work and sizing the mold blocks before hand
So I can just screw on the handles and sprue plate

That way I have less chance to mess up the finished mold blocks :(

Thanks
John

[Mk42gunner]

I have not cast bismuth, but I do think your plan is ambitious.

I would go for as many cavities as there is space for in your mold blocks, they wouldn't need to be very far apart given the diameter.

Maybe use a camming action to cut the sprue, similar to Lees six cavity molds.

Unless the blocks are tiny, I believe you will have a lot of time with the mold on a hot plate trying to keep it up to temp.

Good Luck,

Robert