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Cast my first bullets today #8764621 04/09/14
Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS N N10sivern OP Campfire Greenhorn
OP N10sivern Campfire Greenhorn N Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS	It's been a long process, but it all came together today. I originally got free lead that was taken out of an X-ray room. I decided it was time to get into casting. I build my PID controller. Bought a Lee pot, pewter, and linotype. Melted the lead down to ingots today. Weighed out some and remelted with linotype and pewter to give me a 95% lead, 3% antimony, and 2% tin. Used that alloy to cast my .356 95gr bullets for my 380. What do you all think? My only issue was out of the 6 cavities there was almost always 1 or 2 that the base didn't completely fill. Typically one of the inner cavities. I was casting at 700*. Lead Casting ingots My setup My ingots My bullets

GB1

Re: Cast my first bullets today N10sivern #8764724 04/09/14
Joined: May 2004 Posts: 56,039 In the Swamps DigitalDan Campfire Kahuna
DigitalDan Campfire Kahuna Joined: May 2004 Posts: 56,039 In the Swamps	Grey corn sticks? Does your wife know? I am..........disturbed. Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain

Re: Cast my first bullets today DigitalDan #8764750 04/09/14
Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS N N10sivern OP Campfire Greenhorn
OP N10sivern Campfire Greenhorn N Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS	Hahaha. Easiest ingot mold ever. They pour at 14-16 ounces each

Re: Cast my first bullets today N10sivern #8765648 04/10/14
Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS N N10sivern OP Campfire Greenhorn
OP N10sivern Campfire Greenhorn N Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS	Powder coated bullets. Now to size them, load, and shoot.

Re: Cast my first bullets today N10sivern #8767766 04/10/14
Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 10,351 Asheville, NC B blammer Campfire Outfitter
blammer Campfire Outfitter B Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 10,351 Asheville, NC	oh, powder coating. I was going to say you may have a real soft bullet and you may want to harden it up by adding WW's. not sure of the effect of pure lead when powdercoating. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have. When your ship comes in. ... make sure you are willing to unload it. PAYPAL, sucks and I will never use them again. I recommend you do the same.

IC B2

Re: Cast my first bullets today blammer #8768182 04/11/14
Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS N N10sivern OP Campfire Greenhorn
OP N10sivern Campfire Greenhorn N Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS	They aren't pure lead. They are 2% tin and 3% antimony, but you can powder pure lead without leading.

Re: Cast my first bullets today N10sivern #8774233 04/13/14
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,532 IA J JSH Campfire Regular
JSH Campfire Regular J Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,532 IA	How much thickness does the powder coating add? Is it worth the trouble? You should be able to shoot that alloy without leading anyway with just about any reasonable lube-if the size is correct.

Re: Cast my first bullets today JSH #8774275 04/13/14
Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS N N10sivern OP Campfire Greenhorn
OP N10sivern Campfire Greenhorn N Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 67 Biloxi, MS	I'm not sure about the thickness of the powder as they are sized after powder coating them. I'm just playing with this alloy. I'm going to primarily be using 98-1-1% alloys or 99-1% alloys and PC'ing them. I just figured this would make it easier for my first go around.

Re: Cast my first bullets today N10sivern #8774794 04/13/14
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23,068 Annapolis, Md. G gnoahhh Campfire Ranger
gnoahhh Campfire Ranger G Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23,068 Annapolis, Md.	Perhaps try running your pot at 750-800� instead of 700� for better fill-out? I do that when casting WW alloy, and get excellent mold fill-out without adding tin which is not the case for me when casting down around 700�. Last edited by gnoahhh; 04/13/14. "You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty

Re: Cast my first bullets today gnoahhh #8779177 04/14/14
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,532 IA J JSH Campfire Regular
JSH Campfire Regular J Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,532 IA	A hotter pour does seem to help with fill-out in the absence of tin. As long as frosty bullets don't bother you (they don't bother me).

IC B3

Re: Cast my first bullets today JSH #8780067 04/15/14
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23,068 Annapolis, Md. G gnoahhh Campfire Ranger
gnoahhh Campfire Ranger G Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23,068 Annapolis, Md.	Nope, doesn't bother me either. "You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty

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