The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old October 13, 2008, 02:46 PM   #1
Cosmoline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 11, 2000
Posts: 1,080
Bullet Casting--The Simple Pot or Furnace?

I'm gearing up to start making my own cast bullets and I'm wondering if I should opt for the simple pot and burner or go with one of the more expensive furnaces. It's going to be a small-scale operation and likely be conducted away from any easy outlets, so a propane burner seems better. What are the drawbacks to that setup, if any? Am I being penny wise and pound foolish?
__________________
"Know that the pistol has no value, we practically don't use it. We need grenades, rifles, machine guns, and explosives."
Mordechai Anielewicz, April 23, 1943
Cosmoline is offline  
Old October 13, 2008, 02:53 PM   #2
rwilson452
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 10, 2004
Location: Tioga co. PA
Posts: 2,647
a bottom pour arrangement is much better and easier for a beginner. a ladle and pot is much more difficult.
rwilson452 is offline  
Old October 13, 2008, 04:23 PM   #3
Jimlakeside
Member
 
Join Date: May 13, 2008
Location: Pottsboro, Texas
Posts: 33
I am not sure what you are asking. Do you want a pot to melt wheel weights into ingots or do you already have clean lead that you want to put in a mold and cast?

It is easier to use something like a turkey fryer to melt the lead and put in ingots than a furnace. It's a lot faster and doesn't fill your bottom pour spout with crud.

For casting, Lee's 20lb bottom pour pot (about $60.00) works really well for me. I have had no problems with it so far and have casted 1000s of bullets. You can always get an expensive furnace later.

For more information try this site: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/index.php

Good luck, I find it to be a lot of fun.
Jimlakeside is offline  
Old October 13, 2008, 04:31 PM   #4
Hawg
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 8, 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 16,175
A bottom pour is best but I started out with a bean can on my moms stove(I don't recommend it tho).
Hawg is offline  
Old October 13, 2008, 04:35 PM   #5
LHB1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 25, 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,545
Maintaining lead alloy melted temperature, filling the mould, and obtaining consistently good cast lead bullets is much easier with a temperature controlled, bottom pour furnace. Melting scrap lead/wheelweights and pouring clean lead ingots can be done with furnace or simple pot and ladle.
__________________
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
LHB1 is offline  
Old October 13, 2008, 05:55 PM   #6
Cosmoline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 11, 2000
Posts: 1,080
I think I see the difference now. Thanks!
__________________
"Know that the pistol has no value, we practically don't use it. We need grenades, rifles, machine guns, and explosives."
Mordechai Anielewicz, April 23, 1943
Cosmoline is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:06 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.05315 seconds with 10 queries