Bullet casting quality

fishMOlakes · #1 02-21-2008, 07:54 PM

I am new to bullet casting and I have some questions. Can you cast good bullets when the temps are in the high 20's to low 30's? I am casting outside at the edge of my garage and seem to always lines in the bullet where it looks like it set up too soon. I am preheating the molds. I'm using a Lee Production Pot set at 6 on the dial and 2 Lee 6 cavity molds. Any ideas?

Gil Martin · #2 02-21-2008, 08:06 PM

It sounds like the lead is not hot enough or the moulds are too large and the metal is cooling a bit. I use 2 cavity molds and cast in cold and warm weather outside without any problems. All the best...
Gil

Adam Helmer · #3 02-21-2008, 09:49 PM

fishMOlakes,

Welcome to the Forum; I see this is only your second post.

Since you are new to bullet casting, I wonder why you are starting out with 6-cavity moulds? What calibers are those moulds? Cold temperatures outside are not as much concern as wind. I use a windbreak of a "V" shaped piece of plywood placed upwind of my Coleman Stove.

I have single, double and 4-cavity moulds and think the 4-cavity are a challenge after 40 years of using them. I suggest you start by reading the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and then starting with a single or double cavity mould and get the technique down pat before running 6-cavity gang moulds. It takes a long time to fill a 6-cavity mould. Your alloy may not be hot enough. Are all your bullets wringled or just the last in line on the gang mould?

Again, welcome to the site.

Adam

fishMOlakes · #4 02-22-2008, 10:24 PM

My best friend in IN told me about this sight and he was right. Thanks for your help. I have 40 S&W 175g SWC and .45acp 200g SWC. All the bullets have marks running thru them. My Lee pot is a bottom fill so my temp may be the problem. All the bullets are wrinkled. I don't have a thermometer but my best guess is that I'm running about 625-675 degrees. The reason I have 6 cavity molds is because my DEAR wife got them for me for Christmas. I mean dear (she just bought a new 38spcl from Cabela's). I am going to run a batch tomorrow and will let you know if raising the temp helps. Thanks so much!

Vern

Jack · #5 02-22-2008, 11:09 PM

First, welcome to Huntchat!
Sounds to me as though your mold isn't hot enough. The result is that the first molten lead that hits the end of the cavity solidifies before the rest of the molten lead, and created wrinkles.
You can also get wrinkles if you don't fill the mold cavity in one continuous pour- including leaving a puddle of molten lead on the top of the sprue plate.
Another possible cause of wrinkles is contamination- not so much of the lead, but some lubricant or preservative on the mold itself.

fishMOlakes · #6 02-23-2008, 04:46 PM

I heated the molds for a longer time and I increased the heat from 6 to 8. I made about 250 each of 40 S&W 175g SWC and 45 200g SWC with only a few scrap. Also, I cleaned the molds with alcohol and smoked them with a match before I started. Thanks for all your help.

Vern