Post by Kurt on Apr 21, 2006 23:41:41 GMT -5
Hi all.
I been seeing a lot of posts on first time casters.
If your going to shoot the black powder rifles, sooner then later you will start to cast for the cost and accuracy of the load.
I think it would be good to let them know what people like you do that have done this for a while,I would like to have your input on this.
This is how I do it.I know every one has his or her way,but this works for me.
First I will let you know my feelings on over the counter moulds,I know they are not to expensive, but I feel that is like putting a $35 scope on a $1500 fine varmint rifle and wondering why it wont hold zero.I don't think there has been a good black powder mould since the Ideal name.I haven't found one anyway.I don't think any are made for lube carrying.I placed many phone calls to RCBS/Lyman/Saeco,and pretty much got the same answer, NO MARKET.
First you have to get the mould and alloy up to temp.I don't flux to often,just when I first start,and I never use a acid based flux if you do just make sure you clean and oil the mould when your done.I use bullet lube or candle wax.I used to use rosin flux when I had some on hand it is expensive but works great.
I use a temperature controlled lead pot , I have a 20lb lee with the bottom pour pulled off.It holds temp good.I dont use a fish cooker or my old plumbing lead pot furnace for this job,it gets used for mixing up 40 or 50 lbs of ingots. I feel that is just as important as consistency on how you pour.
I try to keep my soup at 750 deg.I don't add more alloy to the pot till I'm done with the batch I'm making It will change the weight of the bullet,both by cooling the alloy and it might be a different alloy mix.I cast 1-30 for lube bullets and 1-50 for paper patch I also swage the PP bullets with that alloy.
I use a ladle only I get more consistency.I use the RCBS ladle I like it.When I pour I empty the hole ladle,I know your going to say that hakes a mess,Ya I'm a messy caster.But the reason is when the mould is full I keep pouring to let the bullet harden and you will have less shrinkage.When my sprue cools you have to look hard to see a dimple.
My bullets will not vary 3 tents of a grain from light to heavy.
I dont let my bullet frost.The first sign of frosting comes under the sprue,you will see it there first.I feel the frosting contributes to leadind and I is an indication of the alloy separating.
Keep the sprue cutter loose it should swing free.
when first starting and your mould is oiled from storage,clean it with a solvent,like a gun scrubber or alcohol,I boil a pot of water and put the mould in that.
I use a rag with bullet lube on it to put a little on top of the sprue cutter and under it to keep the solder from sticking on the block and the sprue will fall off when cutting it.I do this when the mould is hot.(a little goes a long way)
Well I will let some one else put there input in this.I hope this will help some.I cant type so it takes me a long time to get this down and kinda for get what I was going to say I know there are different opinions on this but I would like input in this for the new casters.
Kurt
I been seeing a lot of posts on first time casters.
If your going to shoot the black powder rifles, sooner then later you will start to cast for the cost and accuracy of the load.
I think it would be good to let them know what people like you do that have done this for a while,I would like to have your input on this.
This is how I do it.I know every one has his or her way,but this works for me.
First I will let you know my feelings on over the counter moulds,I know they are not to expensive, but I feel that is like putting a $35 scope on a $1500 fine varmint rifle and wondering why it wont hold zero.I don't think there has been a good black powder mould since the Ideal name.I haven't found one anyway.I don't think any are made for lube carrying.I placed many phone calls to RCBS/Lyman/Saeco,and pretty much got the same answer, NO MARKET.
First you have to get the mould and alloy up to temp.I don't flux to often,just when I first start,and I never use a acid based flux if you do just make sure you clean and oil the mould when your done.I use bullet lube or candle wax.I used to use rosin flux when I had some on hand it is expensive but works great.
I use a temperature controlled lead pot , I have a 20lb lee with the bottom pour pulled off.It holds temp good.I dont use a fish cooker or my old plumbing lead pot furnace for this job,it gets used for mixing up 40 or 50 lbs of ingots. I feel that is just as important as consistency on how you pour.
I try to keep my soup at 750 deg.I don't add more alloy to the pot till I'm done with the batch I'm making It will change the weight of the bullet,both by cooling the alloy and it might be a different alloy mix.I cast 1-30 for lube bullets and 1-50 for paper patch I also swage the PP bullets with that alloy.
I use a ladle only I get more consistency.I use the RCBS ladle I like it.When I pour I empty the hole ladle,I know your going to say that hakes a mess,Ya I'm a messy caster.But the reason is when the mould is full I keep pouring to let the bullet harden and you will have less shrinkage.When my sprue cools you have to look hard to see a dimple.
My bullets will not vary 3 tents of a grain from light to heavy.
I dont let my bullet frost.The first sign of frosting comes under the sprue,you will see it there first.I feel the frosting contributes to leadind and I is an indication of the alloy separating.
Keep the sprue cutter loose it should swing free.
when first starting and your mould is oiled from storage,clean it with a solvent,like a gun scrubber or alcohol,I boil a pot of water and put the mould in that.
I use a rag with bullet lube on it to put a little on top of the sprue cutter and under it to keep the solder from sticking on the block and the sprue will fall off when cutting it.I do this when the mould is hot.(a little goes a long way)
Well I will let some one else put there input in this.I hope this will help some.I cant type so it takes me a long time to get this down and kinda for get what I was going to say I know there are different opinions on this but I would like input in this for the new casters.
Kurt
