Casting Temperatures ?

[petew]

When casting pure lead does the Temperature afect the finished size. If we cast at the lowest temp where we still have good balls/bullets without wrinkles etc will they end up a larger size than if we cast at a very hot temp. or max temp the pot will obtain?
I am thinking the hotter the pour the more shrinkage we would get when it cools.
Are there any advantages/disadvantages to casting very hot vs minimum temperatures ?
I am casting 50 and 54 cal Roundball , Mini, and Maxi's.

So much to learn about this new side of ML shooting.
Pete

 

[mooncoon]

When casting pure lead does the Temperature afect the finished size. If we cast at the lowest temp where we still have good balls/bullets without wrinkles etc will they end up a larger size than if we cast at a very hot temp. or max temp the pot will obtain?

I am not sure if it makes any practical difference. More or less we are talking about temperatures a little over 600 F (melting temperature) and around 720 - 740 F ( upper limit of my electric lead pot) You can considerably reduce your casting temperature and increase the size of your balls (so to speak) by adding up to around 5% tin and/or antimony. The lead will remain relatively soft and for balls around 50 cal, I would expect the increased size to be between .002 and .003" larger

cheers mooncoon

 

[donor]

I'm normally casting 30-32 cal rifle bollits and hot casting is norm rather than exception.

I had a chance of casting large .75 cal round balls for a friend and I found out very fast that hot casting is NOT the way to go.
To get consistent results without damaging mold I had to slow down and lower lead temp to 4 on Lee 4-20 pot. Normally I set pot at 6-7 for 30-32 cal casts.
Is your mold steel,brass or aluminium?They have different operating temperatures I think.

See what works for you but I would suggest starting slow with lower temps.

 

[mr.e moose]

I find I pour my best pure lead round ball and minnie's at about 700 F any hotter and they start to frost.When I cast WW alloy for pistol and Centrefire rifle I go up to around780F.