Did a little casting today

David Bachelder · June 17, 2012, 06:21 PM

New at this, but I had a pretty good day. I'm finally getting the hang of it. I was casting bullets between unpacking boxes from our recent move.

Vance · June 17, 2012, 07:23 PM

Looking good.

awbrock · June 17, 2012, 08:25 PM

Those are purdy!

Beagle333 · June 17, 2012, 09:34 PM

Nice! I'm going to try to learn to cast in a week or two when I collect the rest of my stuff. I hope mine look that good. Those are neat!

TXGunNut · June 17, 2012, 10:16 PM

Well done! Any issues?

Stick_man · June 17, 2012, 10:27 PM

Looking good, David. That was one of the first ones I cast with as well. Nice pretty boolits, nice sharp edges. What kind of alloy are you using?

David Bachelder · June 17, 2012, 10:33 PM

I had a few that were wrinkled. I read that wrinkling meant your mold was too cold. So I placed the mold over the pot for a few minutes and tossed the wrinkles back into the pot. After that they were popping out looking almost perfect.

After a while I had trouble getting the mold (2 cavity LEE) to close properly. I put a little wax on the bars and in the slots, after that it started working perfectly. I also lubed between the sprue plate and top of the mold with graphite (carpenters pencil). I never smoked the mold or used any kind of release. The bullets were dropping off real well, ever once and a while I get a hanger, not often.

Things went pretty smooth as long as I kept the pot between 725 and 800 F.

Go figure.

TXGunNut · June 19, 2012, 08:38 PM

Sounds great! I've found that a mould has a temp it prefers and there is an optimum temp for the alloy as well. Only problem is that these preferences vary from mould to mould. When I get wrinkled bullets I just cast faster until they smooth out; I'll preheat the moulds but once I get them close I let the alloy finish heating them up.

June 17, 2012, 10:16 PM	#5
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Well done! Any issues? __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

June 17, 2012, 10:33 PM	#7
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	I had a few that were wrinkled. I read that wrinkling meant your mold was too cold. So I placed the mold over the pot for a few minutes and tossed the wrinkles back into the pot. After that they were popping out looking almost perfect. After a while I had trouble getting the mold (2 cavity LEE) to close properly. I put a little wax on the bars and in the slots, after that it started working perfectly. I also lubed between the sprue plate and top of the mold with graphite (carpenters pencil). I never smoked the mold or used any kind of release. The bullets were dropping off real well, ever once and a while I get a hanger, not often. Things went pretty smooth as long as I kept the pot between 725 and 800 F. Go figure. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

June 19, 2012, 08:38 PM	#8
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Sounds great! I've found that a mould has a temp it prefers and there is an optimum temp for the alloy as well. Only problem is that these preferences vary from mould to mould. When I get wrinkled bullets I just cast faster until they smooth out; I'll preheat the moulds but once I get them close I let the alloy finish heating them up. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

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June 17, 2012, 07:23 PM	#2
Vance Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2011 Location: North Bend, OR Posts: 743	Looking good.

June 17, 2012, 08:25 PM	#3
awbrock Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: SC Posts: 41	Those are purdy!

June 17, 2012, 09:34 PM	#4
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	Nice! I'm going to try to learn to cast in a week or two when I collect the rest of my stuff. I hope mine look that good. Those are neat!

June 17, 2012, 10:27 PM	#6
Stick_man Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 241	Looking good, David. That was one of the first ones I cast with as well. Nice pretty boolits, nice sharp edges. What kind of alloy are you using?