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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 20
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 20 |
What is the recommended temperature pure lead should be to ensure you have proper full out in the mold?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,989
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
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Every mold can be different. I would start at 650º and go up or down from there. I cast with clip-on wheelweights at 730º.
lightman
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,077
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
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Yes, the mass of the mould blocks, as well as the mould block composition - iron, aluminum, or brass - will determine how well they hold or discharge heat. Not to mention the specific alloy, and the cadence you employ and the technique of putting the molten lead into the mould (bottom pour furnace or ladle and pot). It all has a bearing on your success. Like lightman said, start low and work up until you reach nirvana!
"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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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 20
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OP
New Member
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Thanks for the info. I am using Iron Molds and casting 350gr conicals for my ML. Right now I have my Lee pot set for 800 degrees. So far the bullets are the most consistent in weight. Generally, they are under 1 gr with most being around .5 different.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,088
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,088 |
800* is the magic number for pure lead.
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
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
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Always been 750 for me when molds are up to temp..
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,737
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,737 |
I set the temp on my two RCBS pots 25- 30 years ago and never changed them, found the need. Most, if not all, of my casting is is done with lead, tin, antimony. and and a dash copper from babbit metal. Are you casting bullets for black powder?
"Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force." --Thomas Jefferson
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,017
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,017 |
800* is the magic number for pure lead. ^^^^^This ^^^^^ I'll second 800°, but that's with a Lyman #2 alloy. Interestingly adding antimony and tin to lead decreases melting temperature. I'd definitely run pure lead at 800°
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 20
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OP
New Member
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Looks like 800 degrees is the way to go. As I said, I've had my Lee Pot set for 800 degrees for the last year and found I get more fill out and more consistent weight. When I had it set at 700 my bullets were OK, but not like they are now. The reason why I asked is I was told anything over 700degrees is way to hot???
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,351
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,351 |
it's not the lead temp it's the mold temp.
you can cast good bullets with lead from 650 on up
heat your molds more and hotter that will be key.
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.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 20
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OP
New Member
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How do you measure the temperature of the mold?
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,351
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,351 |
BBQ temp gauge
Night Owl Enterprises sells them.
or I dip the corner of the mold into the pot to get it hotter.
if bullets are frosty, mould is too hot, let it cool a bit or slow the rhythm of your casting.
bullets wrinkly, speed up tempo of casting or dip corner in pot to get hotter.
Last edited by blammer; 05/13/22.
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.
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Joined: Jan 2017
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Blammer I never heard it said better or simpler...mb
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
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