Hello everyone I’m in desperate need of a lead melting pot and some advice surrounding them. I’ve got a couple muskets I need to start pouring round and minie balls for. Ive been watching plenty of videos about it but I was wondering if anyone has any basic advise in using the Lee melting pots or any other type for making round and sound projectiles. I’ve already melted down and processed many pounds of lead, now it’s just a matter of acquiring a good melting pot and putting it to work. And if anyone’s got a spare melting pot kicking around let me know, I’ve been shafted out of two deals for ones on the “other” website.
Lead melting pot advice
- Thread starter Kalinka
- Start date
Lifetime loader
New member
- Location
- Southern Louisiana
The 20# Lee bottom pour pot is nice, has a larger diameter pot than the 10#, makes it easier to melt the larger ingots, like ones cast in a muffin tin. That being said you can buy or make a dipper and cast straight from any pot on a burner and get perfectly adequate results for a lot cheaper if you’re not casting hundreds at a time.
Lifetime loader
New member
- Location
- Southern Louisiana
The Lyman loading manuals have a chapter on casting, lots of good info to get started
Licensed to kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Peace Country Alberta
I have a small Lee pot and ladle that I don’t use. It is an old one that has a preset heat so no heat adjustment my Dad gave me 40 years ago. Used it for many years with no issues. I use two bottom pours now, one for alloy and one for pure lead. Can’t be worth much so would rather trade than sell for $ if possible but would sell.
Where are you located? I might have one for you?
Licensed to kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Peace Country Alberta
That’s cool, I would rather keep it anyways.
Consider adding external pid heat control to your pot. Any electrical melting pot can be fitted with one.
This would make the temperature in your pot much more consistent.
I think Yomomma here did a write up on how to put one together.
This would make the temperature in your pot much more consistent.
I think Yomomma here did a write up on how to put one together.
zero experience with a melting pot, lots of experience with lead and lead control in the body. What ever you do, when you melt lead, gloves, respirator and ventilation. preferably a respirator that will do lead vapour. be cautious of cross contamination - especially if you have kids.
Boltgun
Boltgun
First thing to determine is whether you want to use a ladle or a bottom pour.
The 20 lb Lee is a good pot. Actual usable capacity is closer to 15 lb, but that's enough for most jobs. If you use it long enough the heating coil will burn out bit they're not hard to replace or expensive. Lee will send you a free one but you have to pay for shipping.
The 20 lb Lee is a good pot. Actual usable capacity is closer to 15 lb, but that's enough for most jobs. If you use it long enough the heating coil will burn out bit they're not hard to replace or expensive. Lee will send you a free one but you have to pay for shipping.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
You may need to consider a "lube sizer" of some sort - back in the day the "Star" brand was considered the Cadillac version, but I found the push-through Lee sizers worked just fine. A very few rifles will work with "as cast", but most will benefit from sizing and lubing. I have never cast or fired round ball - that might be different.
It probably makes a difference if you can load through the breech or have to come down the barrel. It has been my experience that many "new-to-the-game" are hepped up about melting the lead and never think of sizing or lubing the boolet - why I mention that, if cost is a big thing for you.
