https://s19.postimg.cc/q99wqyiwj/20180324_133842.jpg
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Between 15 and 20 pounds, my 300 blackout loves these and so do several of my friends so I will have to re-create this pile again shortly:)
I smoke my mold with the lighter also, it's so much easier than wooden matches. I hate casting with single cavity molds, seems like it takes forever to build up a pile, BUT!!! some of my favorite older molds are single cavities :(:groner:
230gr .452 RNBB. From a magma mold, for trade with littlejack.
I did a batch (about 200) of Lee 452-200 SWC, then powder coated them. I love these things, they are my favorite 45 boolits.
429-200
https://i.imgur.com/WgpOM3d.png
When I first started casting about seven or eight years ago, I was given a quantity of unwanted lead from various sources. I had melted them down into ingots, for use in my little Lee dipper pot. Recently, I dug one out that was marked "Pure" and molded a pot full of .440 round balls. When I was finished, I almost thought I had a pile of steel ball bearings. They were the prettiest, shiniest things I ever saw. My only guess is that someone had given me a chunk of linotype or something very close to it. They will eventually go into some other alloy. I get them out now and then just to look at them.
Wayne
I cast a bunch of Lee .535" and Tanner .530" RB's of pure lead yesterday, but need to cast some Lee .495" RB's pretty soon.
Yesterday I cast 20 lbs mix of Lee 230 grain RN, Lee 310 grain .430, and a couple hundred 452460 200 grains. Gotta cast some to shoot some.
Now I can experiment some more with powder coating and HiTek.
Some failed 9mm and .380 ACP hollow points. I am not sure if the lead or molds are not hot enough or what could be wrong. I was careful and prepared the moldsAttachment 221677 as usual. Any thoughts?
Did you fill the cavity directly in the center of the sprue hole with an adequate stream? Looks like it ricocheted off the sprue and got chilled on it's way into cavity...or it was hit and miss as you filled?
No idea really?
first off are you bottom pouring or dipping?
what mold (s) are you using?
what alloy are you using/where did you get the lead?
do you have a lead thermometer or PID?
many possibilities
lead to cold
mold to cold
not enough tin
contaminated alloy - flux well with beeswax then pine sawdust
may contain to much zinc - check on fluxing out zinc with sulfur or ZEP
contaminated mold -scrub well with a toothbrush and dish soap. after they are dry, smoke lightly with kitchen match or butane lighter
I use a Lee 4-20 pot. I use a lead thermostat. The lead is from wheel weights. The day before I did 400 9mm and .380 ACP bullets basically using the same lead and they came out great.
The molds are Lee molds and modified by Erik at hollowpointmolds.com.
I will try again using a laser thermometer on the molds. I have a hot plate I warm them. What temp should I keep the molds?
I am going to cast with the Lee TL 9mm 124 and the Lee modified holllow point and see what the issue is.
I try to get a steady stream. I have only done this 3 times. I do remember the 1st with the standard Lee molds they came out wrinkled and when I did them the second time they came out ok.
Attachment 221712 Lyman 311467
You have been a busy boy Grmps!
Now...the fun part...PC! Then the not so fun part...Sizing. Then the more fun part...loading.
Then the part that's really a blast...emptying all that brass!
PC is quick and easy. I found some nice DT bowls at the dollar tree for $1 ea. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...=1#post4389900
and I have a semi auto sizer I built so thats not a big chore
Boolits from my new Ideal mold #429303
https://s19.postimg.cc/dzd76gh2b/20180615_154430.jpg
Boolits from my second new mold #457483
https://s19.postimg.cc/r3irj5gtv/20180615_150812.jpg
I got out my antique S&W mould that throws a RN bullet and a round ball for the old 32 S&W round for a project where I actually loaded a small batch of ammo for that caliber using the antique S&W set. Quite a fun experience! 8-)
Froggie
Bit cooler today so I cast 170 x405gr 45-70 Lee boolits .once I got the mold hot ,half a dozen casts ,the boolits filled out great nice crisp edges , tumble lubed just waiting for them to dry .big boolits empty the pot fast.