Casting questions

[canon714]

Just got the Lee melter and a round ball mold. Going to start with casting buckshot and then would like to cast bullets for 357 and powder coat them.

Any advice would be appreciated. I live in Rancho Cucamonga if there was someone local.

I was only able to find the small Lee pot and a ladle for it.

[Yetiultimate]

That's an awfully broad question, my friend. I'd suggest joining here and reading all the stickys of the relevant sections.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

That said, if you have a specific question about alloys or molds or pots, etc, list them here too. maybe we can help

[DGoodale]

Here's some advice, narrow that question down just a bit. LOL Castboolits is a dearth of info, we can fill in the gaps.

And here I thought were were coming to talk about:

[Cowboy T]

I do all of my casting with Lee moulds and their Pro 4-20 casting pot. You definitely want to follow Lee's directions of "smoking" your mould(s) before you start casting with them. I would invite you to watch my videos about casting with Lee moulds (URL's in my sig). They were made with people like yourself in mind.

[pacrat]

Just got the Lee melter and a round ball mold. Going to start with casting buckshot and then would like to cast bullets for 357 and powder coat them.

Any advice would be appreciated. I live in Rancho Cucamonga if there was someone local.

I was only able to find the small Lee pot and a ladle for it.

I always suggest REAL BOOKS from reputable sources. For bullet casting the "bible" is considered to be https://www.lymanproducts.com/cast-b...ok-4th-edition

It can be had used on E-barf for much less. My copy I got over 40 yrs ago. Pic on cover was undoubtedly done by a graphic illustrator. Keep ladel and mold in contact when pouring. Pic is dumb and an example of what NOT TO DO.

Buckshot, like bullets, are cast from an alloy. Black powder round balls for ML rifle and pistol are "pure lead". And require no fluxing. Just the opposite. You skim your pot to remove any tin, antimony, crud.

Off top of head tips. Gloves and eye protection are MANDATORY.

[1]..Smoke molds before starting

[2]..Flux often

[3]..Make sure pot, ladel, and mold are HOT, before starting to pour

[4]..While heating pot, place mold on top, and ladel in the lead.

[5]..Better for lead to be hotter than needed. Than cooler than needed. More than needed, bullets will look "frosty", which hurts nothing.
If mould-ladel-lead to cool. Bullets will be wrinkled and have voids. Making them "Do Overs".

[6]..NEVER EVER let any moisture "drop of sweat" etc, or wet piece of lead get in the pot after it is molten. VERY VERY BAD, Hot molten lead sprayed in face bad.

[7]..Cast outside or in well ventilated space. "Lead Fumes".

Probly brain farted and forgot some.

[Cowboy T]

I always suggest REAL BOOKS from reputable sources. For bullet casting the "bible" is considered to be https://www.lymanproducts.com/cast-b...ok-4th-edition

It can be had used on E-barf for much less. My copy I got over 40 yrs ago. Pic on cover was undoubtedly done by a graphic illustrator. Keep ladel and mold in contact when pouring. Pic is dumb and an example of what NOT TO DO.

Buckshot, like bullets, are cast from an alloy. Black powder round balls for ML rifle and pistol are "pure lead". And require no fluxing. Just the opposite. You skim your pot to remove any tin, antimony, crud.

Off top of head tips. Gloves and eye protection are MANDATORY.

[1]..Smoke molds before starting

[2]..Flux often

[3]..Make sure pot, ladel, and mold are HOT, before starting to pour

[4]..While heating pot, place mold on top, and ladel in the lead.

[5]..Better for lead to be hotter than needed. Than cooler than needed. More than needed, bullets will look "frosty", which hurts nothing.
If mould-ladel-lead to cool. Bullets will be wrinkled and have voids. Making them "Do Overs".

[6]..NEVER EVER let any moisture "drop of sweat" etc, or wet piece of lead get in the pot after it is molten. VERY VERY BAD, Hot molten lead sprayed in face bad.

[7]..Cast outside or in well ventilated space. "Lead Fumes".

Probly brain farted and forgot some.

You sure said it. I have had the "Tinsel Fairy" visit once. Sprayed all over the front of me, face included. Seems I had gotten careless and set the ladle on some snow to cool down, forgetting to check said ladle before plunging it straight into the molten lead. One drop of snow melt will do it. Fortunately, I had all my protective gear on and thus was totally unhurt, but it sure startled the heck out of me. Lesson learned.

I stress this in the videos. There's a reason.

[opie4386]

#3,4,5 and 7 Have given me headaches when ignored.

One thing though, make sure you wipe the moulds with a dry cotton rag while casting to prevent dirt/lead from scratching the mould.

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm

[canon714]

So I did my casting with bullets that I didn’t have a use for. Cut them in half and once melted removed the copper jackets.

I don’t understand about fluxing or adding anything to the pot

[canon714]

Ok I read about fluxing. Thanks for the links.

Should I use wax or Marvelux or something else ?

[pacrat]

Ok I read about fluxing. Thanks for the links.

Should I use wax or Marvelux or something else ?

That sir, is a "boxers or briefs" type question. Try several different fluxing mediums. Then decide which you prefer.

[pacrat]

Jacketed bullet cores are a very pure lead. Not suitable for buckshot, rifle, or pistol bullets.

[canon714]

Why is that?

Really don’t want to melt them back down. Can I powder coat them and use them? I don’t understand the issue using more pure lead for shot

[DGoodale]

Why is that?

Really don’t want to melt them back down. Can I powder coat them and use them? I don’t understand the issue using more pure lead for shot

It's too soft. Most "lead" bullet you buy have other harder alloys mixed in, antimony for one. Prevents severe lead fouling and melting from powder burning. For shot purposes it deforms the balls into plates or other not so aerodynamic shapes.

[pacrat]

It's too soft. Most "lead" bullet you buy have other harder alloys mixed in, antimony for one. Prevents severe lead fouling and melting from powder burning. For shot purposes it deforms the balls into plates or other not so aerodynamic shapes.

^^^There's your answer^^^

Powder coating may help mitigate barrel leading. But they will still fly like bats in a windstorm.

You could use your "goof". As an excuse to buy a 36 cal Cap n Ball revolver. 000 buckshot is .360 nominal dia.

[nothing4u]

Make sure the lead is dry.