Cast my first bullets tonight!

maillemaker · January 16, 2011, 01:17 AM

So I cast my first bullets tonight! 230 grain, round nose. Man, my new 20 pound Lee production pot goes HOT. I got my lead melted, and then turned it down to 6. Checked with a thermometer and I was up over 900 degrees! I added a few more chunks of lead to bring the temp down - finally got a consistent 650 degrees at about level 3.5.

Had a few cold shots and then it made good bullets. I kind of expected crisper grooves, but this is for tumble lube. I'll post pictures tomorrow.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · January 16, 2011, 11:51 AM

crisper edges require higher temps or a touch of tin. I prefer to run around 725-775*. Keep up the good work!

SigfanP220 · January 16, 2011, 12:13 PM

It's tough to beet the Lee setup - nice choice! I too have had trouble filling out the groves totaly. I think a lot of it comes down to the alloy and how clean the lead is. The batch I have in now is filthy.

That reminds me - I should probably cast a few this winter yet. Nothing worse than casing in the summer when it's 90F.

chris in va · January 17, 2011, 12:27 AM

Nice. I need to warm up the garage so I can cast a few 45's as well.

grubbylabs · January 17, 2011, 12:47 AM

I have a new 45 mold I want to get warmed up.

That'll Do · January 17, 2011, 12:51 AM

Congratulations maillemaker!

What kind of mold did you use?

I have an RCBS 45-230-RN (230gr round nose) and a Lyman 452374 (225gr round nose). I love the RCBS mold–it is super easy to cast with, and it closely matches the profile of a standard FMJ bullet. I wish that RCBS made molds larger than 2 cavities, it would sure make casting more efficient.

DiscoRacing · January 17, 2011, 08:04 AM

I spent the last two days casting for 9mm, 40, and 45acp.

Gettin my stock back up for the comeing warmer climate.

maillemaker · January 17, 2011, 09:43 AM

I'm using Lee molds.

Pictures here (scroll to bottom):

http://www.forth-armoury.com/temp/bullets/bullets.htm

Steve

DiscoRacing · January 17, 2011, 10:19 AM

Doesnt look like they are good enough to shoot... send them to me and that way you dont have to hassle with bad bullets.

DiscoRacing · January 17, 2011, 09:34 PM

done a lil more castin today... after we done some clay bustin..

maillemaker · January 17, 2011, 11:36 PM

Nice piles of boolits!!!!

Steve

DiscoRacing · January 17, 2011, 11:41 PM

Tkx Steve...

... like some of the others here... I like to cast this time of year...

... casting when its in the 90s dont take a long time to get rather toasty.

m&p45acp10+1 · January 17, 2011, 11:45 PM

Disco I could not agree more. For me perfect weather for casting is cold, wet, and crappy. Since I will not be shooting in God awful weather I can do some casting for when the weather is nice, and all I have to do is go to the range. Shoot to slide lock, reload, and repeat till all ammo is gone. Then go home and start the process all over again.

January 16, 2011, 01:17 AM	#1
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 564	Cast my first bullets tonight! So I cast my first bullets tonight! 230 grain, round nose. Man, my new 20 pound Lee production pot goes HOT. I got my lead melted, and then turned it down to 6. Checked with a thermometer and I was up over 900 degrees! I added a few more chunks of lead to bring the temp down - finally got a consistent 650 degrees at about level 3.5. Had a few cold shots and then it made good bullets. I kind of expected crisper grooves, but this is for tumble lube. I'll post pictures tomorrow.

January 16, 2011, 11:51 AM	#2
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,487	crisper edges require higher temps or a touch of tin. I prefer to run around 725-775*. Keep up the good work! __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

January 17, 2011, 12:47 AM	#5
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,366	I have a new 45 mold I want to get warmed up. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

January 17, 2011, 08:04 AM	#7
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,638	I spent the last two days casting for 9mm, 40, and 45acp. Gettin my stock back up for the comeing warmer climate. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

January 17, 2011, 10:19 AM	#9
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,638	Doesnt look like they are good enough to shoot... send them to me and that way you dont have to hassle with bad bullets. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

January 16, 2011, 12:13 PM	#3
SigfanP220 Member Join Date: June 27, 2010 Location: Crystal, MN Posts: 22	It's tough to beet the Lee setup - nice choice! I too have had trouble filling out the groves totaly. I think a lot of it comes down to the alloy and how clean the lead is. The batch I have in now is filthy. That reminds me - I should probably cast a few this winter yet. Nothing worse than casing in the summer when it's 90F.

January 17, 2011, 12:27 AM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 11,718	Nice. I need to warm up the garage so I can cast a few 45's as well.

January 17, 2011, 12:51 AM	#6
That'll Do Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 548	Congratulations maillemaker! What kind of mold did you use? I have an RCBS 45-230-RN (230gr round nose) and a Lyman 452374 (225gr round nose). I love the RCBS mold–it is super easy to cast with, and it closely matches the profile of a standard FMJ bullet. I wish that RCBS made molds larger than 2 cavities, it would sure make casting more efficient.

January 17, 2011, 09:43 AM	#8
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 564	I'm using Lee molds. Pictures here (scroll to bottom): http://www.forth-armoury.com/temp/bullets/bullets.htm Steve

January 17, 2011, 09:34 PM	#10
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,638	done a lil more castin today... after we done some clay bustin.. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

January 17, 2011, 11:36 PM	#11
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 564	Nice piles of boolits!!!! Steve

January 17, 2011, 11:41 PM	#12
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,638	Tkx Steve... ... like some of the others here... I like to cast this time of year... ... casting when its in the 90s dont take a long time to get rather toasty. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

January 17, 2011, 11:45 PM	#13
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,104	Disco I could not agree more. For me perfect weather for casting is cold, wet, and crappy. Since I will not be shooting in God awful weather I can do some casting for when the weather is nice, and all I have to do is go to the range. Shoot to slide lock, reload, and repeat till all ammo is gone. Then go home and start the process all over again. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.