New to Casting: I Need Random Suggestions, Advice, and DO NOT DOs

[awshoot]

Sometime in the next week I'm going to get a pot, a couple molds (9mm and .40 S&W), and some lead from RotoMetals (Lyman #2). The pot is a Lee 20# pot with bottom pour and the molds are Lee molds. I have no other equipment for this and I've never cast bullets myself nor seen it done in person. I'm interested in guides and videos experienced people think are good. Definitely interested in hearing about disasters and how to avoid them. Interested in opinions on whether the lead I got is a decent choice or if I should think about something else. Basically, I'm a total noob about to do something moderately dangerous and I'd like info.

Read More

 

[Stomper]

Rule #1

Don't spill (or splash) molten lead on yourself.



Rule#2

No matter HOW good it looks DON'T attempt to drink it, either.



Rule #3

Keep your fingers out of your mouth, and wash your hands frequently, you filthy animal!

 

[tac]

Wear eye protection, a good hat, gauntlet-style gloves or good quality work gloves, some kind of an apron and solid leather shoes - NOT thongs or anything made of plastic - just in case!

If you can do it outside, then do it outside. Or else have plenty of ventilation.

There are plenty of good movies on Youtube about casting. A decent casting thermometer is also a good idea. Flux can be just beeswax - which is what I use - or something with a fancy name.

You'll need a large folded old towel to catch the bullets on - don't try and pick them up to move them around - they stay hot for a lot longer than you think.

And keep ANY kind of moisture well away from the process - water flashes instantly into steam - which occupies 1700 times the volume it did when it was water - it will explode everywhere, including over you. IOW, make sure that the lead you are melting is bone-dry before you try and put it in the pot.

That'll do to be getting on with....................

 

[Joe13]

YouTube

 

[whitney]

@awshoot Spend some time over here. Cast Boolits & here NRA - IHMSA Handgun, Rifle, Air Pistol Silhouette Shooting. The Excitement Of Reactive Steel Targets At The Los Angeles Silhouette Club

I also like this book. Amazon.com : Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4Th Edition, Multiple, Model:9817004 : Sports & Outdoors
You likely already know this, but cast bullets do not load the same as jacketed bullets.

~Whitney

 

[Stomper]

Wear eye protection, a good hat, gauntlet-style gloves or good quality work gloves, some kind of an apron and solid leather shoes - NOT thongs or anything made of plastic - just in case!

If you can do it outside, then do it outside. Or else have plenty of ventilation.

There are plenty of good movies on Youtube about casting. A decent casting thermometer is also a good idea. Flux can be just beeswax - which is what I use - or something with a fancy name.

You'll need a large folded old towel to catch the bullets on - don't try and pick them up to move them around - they stay hot for a lot longer than you think.

And keep ANY kind of moisture well away from the process - water flashes instantly into steam - which occupies 1700 times the volume it did when it was water - it will explode everywhere, including over you. IOW, make sure that the lead you are melting is bone-dry before you try and put it in the pot.

That'll do to be getting on with....................

Although water is actually an excellent refrigerant, that 1700x vapor expansion is precisely why it isn't used in closed loop mechanically driven refrigeration systems.


Imagine a high pressure 1/2"diameter liquid line into an evaporator coil, and a (roughly) 800" (66.6') diameter vapor line coming out of it!

 

[tac]

THIS guy is THE tops - easy to listen too, as well. I commend him to you all, even experienced casters.............

 

[RVTECH]

Have you looked into sizing and lubing options yet or possibly poly coating?

 

[turbo_vanner]

My first time I had trouble with the mold not being hot enough, but I just started using an electric hot plate like in the video above. Once you're rolling, the mold usually stays hot enough, but when you're starting out and working out the bugs in your process, it can be slow, and the mold can cool down between pours.

 

[Certaindeaf]

THIS guy is THE tops - easy to listen too, as well. I commend him to you all, even experienced casters.............

I've always used a dipper just like that guy. I only use single and double cavity molds though.
If you got 6 cavity molds, don't fill up a cold or warmish mold up, twiddle your thumbs and then try to break the sprues.. you will break the mold.
Preheat the mold, then fill one cavity, closest to the sprue plate pivot, open and dump it, then do two and so on until it's HOT.
I dont use a mallet or stick to open the sprue, I use my gloved hand right after the sprue freezes.

 

[nammac]

Be sure to smoke the molds, you want a nice layer of black carbon from a match to coat both halves of the cavities. Will make for a smooth release and more wrinkle free projectiles...

The first boolets will look horrible, keep pouring until you've done several pours, then the mold
Is heated up and they should be pristine.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Ventilation is your best DO, warm up your molds and move slowly. Molten lead will burn you BADLY, I know, I worked with it for over 30 years in the telephone industry...

 

[awshoot]

YouTube

Yes -- in my plans, but in watching on topics I know about, I know there's lots of lousy info too. Was hoping for some favs or recommendations to skip over the stuff that's going to get me in trouble.

 

[awshoot]

Have you looked into sizing and lubing options yet or possibly poly coating?

Not yet -- would very much like to learn the poly coating process.

EDIT: well, years ago I used to load almost solely with hard cast lead (38s, 45s, 9mm) and never had an issue with them -- liked them -- and so I should look into that process too. Probably easier?

 

[RVTECH]

would very much like to learn the poly coating process.

So would I as I am considering getting BACK into casting so If someone has Poly Coat experience please jump in!

 

[Mikej]

Sometime in the next week I'm going to get a pot, a couple molds (9mm and .40 S&W), and some lead from RotoMetals (Lyman #2). The pot is a Lee 20# pot with bottom pour and the molds are Lee molds. I have no other equipment for this and I've never cast bullets myself nor seen it done in person. I'm interested in guides and videos experienced people think are good. Definitely interested in hearing about disasters and how to avoid them. Interested in opinions on whether the lead I got is a decent choice or if I should think about something else. Basically, I'm a total noob about to do something moderately dangerous and I'd like info.

Man. WUT, things in you life must be pretty uncomplicated at this point?

But-then, I was never going to load shouldered rifle rounds.

Looking forward to following this thread. It should be interesting. Just don't burn yourself. That's not interesting.

 

[awshoot]

... If you got 6 cavity molds, don't fill up a cold or warmish mold up, twiddle your thumbs and then try to break the sprues.. you will break the mold.
Preheat the mold, then fill one cavity, closest to the sprue plate pivot, open and dump it, then do two and so on until it's HOT.
I dont use a mallet or stick to open the sprue, I use my gloved hand right after the sprue freezes.

My order was getting costly so I bought two cavity molds instead of six cavity molds -- I was hitting a psychological barrier I didn't want to cross.

I'll definitely try that -- one cavity at a time to help with heating.

 

[Joe13]

Yes -- in my plans, but in watching on topics I know about, I know there's lots of lousy info too. Was hoping for some favs or recommendations to skip over the stuff that's going to get me in trouble.

Jerry Michilac (spelling?) did a series on casting bullets.

 

[jbett98]

When my fishing partner and I made lead weights, he would take a candle with a long wick and hold the pre warmed opened mold over the burning candle and put a layer of black soot inside. Worked like a charm to start the ball rolling.

 

[Joe13]