I thought only young men hurried too much? Casting cadence and torn bases

Ran into the issue with torn metal again on my bullet bases. No way this was due to a cold mold, because with my amazing Lee rocket pot, I was on the high side of 750 at the start.

About 1/3rd of the way through the session, I poured, then did a slow count to ten before whacking the sprue. Yes, I was turning the amazing "little supernova" down, but since 15 pounds of lead hold heat, the delay in dropping the boolit was needed.

With the slower cadence and (eventually) lower lead temperature, the sprue cut-off on the bases looked like... a cut-off sprue. I need to tighten up the sprue plate a little bit, but most of the bases were level.

it's all in the timing.
keeping that boolit temp consistent when you cut it will yield consistent results.

There are various ways and means.

I do NOT cast slowly. Two-cavity moulds typically yield 400 to 500 bullets per hour, and they are good bullets.... including the bases.

Did I mention that I'm now 71 years of age?

Making good bases is tough, to soon and pulls, too slow and crooked. I use a gloved hand to open, no whacking.

That's why some of us alternate two molds at once.

Agree with Bruce, and like Wayne Smith, I use alternate molds, mostly 2 cav.
1Shirt!

How about some pics of what they look like?

Quote:

---

Did I mention that I'm now 71 years of age?

---

Young in :bigsmyl2:

same here, I prefer 2-cav's and always run 2 molds at a time. I'm not as skilled as Bruce but with my good Saeco molds, I can do 250-300 ish quality bullets an hour, this include H20 and pee breaks. Much faster and I would have to start using some from of fan or wet towel to cool the molds. When I start to get sprue smears...it time to slooooow down, actually now I can notice the frosty sprue and slow before I start to get the dreaded smear.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tomme boy

How about some pics of what they look like?

---

I assume you are referring to the torn bases vs cut bases. I'll probably get some the next time I cast for the 32-40. Set up my Fuji S5200 for better pics...

Yes, pictures are always nice as it shows exactly what you are talking about. Plus it helps those that read but do not post. There are tons of them on this site that way.