Making some ingots

[kjohn]

Spending a bit of time doing what I like to do. I try to keep it simple and enjoyable. I have two Lee 10 lb. pots. They work good, both of them. When I cast bullets, I add a bit of linotype to the pot. Not really too overwhelmingly scientific, but it has worked for me for many years!

From this:



To this:



To the final stage:

 

[trebor2880]

Anything involving reloading, brings much satisfaction to me. Your final product looks great.

 

[yomomma]

I melt down my pewter when I have a fire going in the shed wood stove. Have an old cast iron ladel that holds about 5 pounds. Kind of relaxing for me.

 

[bertn]

just wondering why you want the dirty lead in your casting pot and not in an old pan or something?

 

[Snider shooter]

just wondering why you want the dirty lead in your casting pot and not in an old pan or something?

I was wondering this also. I recipe for dirt getting in the valve. I use a stainless steel square pan that holds over 160 lbs. It is good to see someone making their own bullets. All my dirty melting is done in that pot with propane. The clean ingots then are used in my Lee pot. Keeps it much cleaner.
I am curious what bullets you will be making.

 

[kjohn]

just wondering why you want the dirty lead in your casting pot and not in an old pan or something?

Not a matter of "want", but it is simpler to just melt the WW in the pot. I have always melted WW in my pots. Dirt, along with the clips etc., comes to the top, clean it off the top with an old spoon. I've never had any trouble doing it this way. The less I have to handle hot lead, the better. I am still on my first little jar of Marvelux. I use it when I am casting bullets. After a bit of fiddling to get the mold(s) right temperature, away I go. I use Lee molds almost exclusively. Tumble the bullets in some Lee Alox, gas check them in a Lee sizer, tumble lube again, and if I am dusting them out at a faster speed, I'll smear some blue lube on with my fingers.

 

[kjohn]

I was wondering this also. I recipe for dirt getting in the valve. I use a stainless steel square pan that holds over 160 lbs. It is good to see someone making their own bullets. All my dirty melting is done in that pot with propane. The clean ingots then are used in my Lee pot. Keeps it much cleaner.
I am curious what bullets you will be making.

I cast for .303, 7.62x39, 54R, .308, 30-06, 30-30, 32WS etc. I cast .395 balls to shoot out of my Lee Enfield 3" .410 (still in the experimenting stage)

 

[Snider shooter]

The Enfield 410 could be interesting. I picked up a 410 action with barrel I was thinking of rebuilding. Never thought of ball through it.

 

[kjohn]

The Enfield 410 could be interesting. I picked up a 410 action with barrel I was thinking of rebuilding. Never thought of ball through it.

I have one 3" and one original chambered for the blown out .303 cartridge. I rather think the 3" experiment won't be taking the shooting world by storm, but it is fun. I can chamber once fired .410 hulls in it without resizing, just re-prime.

 

[tokguy]

I melt whatever is required in my pot as well...the impurities just float up...skim them off and discard.
I actually use the old IXL Redcliff bricks as a mold.
Most of my Lead work feeds the Antiques...looking to branch into my Milsurps though

 

[kjohn]

I melt whatever is required in my pot as well...the impurities just float up...skim them off and discard.
I actually use the old IXL Redcliff bricks as a mold.
Most of my Lead work feeds the Antiques...looking to branch into my Milsurps though

Redcliff bricks as a mold - great idea! Classic as classic can be!

 

[tokguy]

Redcliff bricks as a mold - great idea! Classic as classic can be!

Been doing that since I was in Grade school.
Darn, another nosebleed...look a Butterfly!
They make really cool ingots IMO

 

[kjohn]

Just finished up another coffee can of ingots. Last batch was recently picked up at the local tire shop. Lots of oddball weights, but still enough old weights to make it worthwhile. When in doubt, I give them the scientific test with a pair of side cutters. If still in doubt, in to the junk can they go.

I still have lots of the old weights stashed at home. I have one ammo box of the newer stuff to sort. There will come a time when we aren't so fussy. Maybe we are there already. I have a lot of Lino type.

 

[yomomma]

Just finished up another coffee can of ingots. Last batch was recently picked up at the local tire shop. Lots of oddball weights, but still enough old weights to make it worthwhile. When in doubt, I give them the scientific test with a pair of side cutters. If still in doubt, in to the junk can they go.

I still have lots of the old weights stashed at home. I have one ammo box of the newer stuff to sort. There will come a time when we aren't so fussy. Maybe we are there already. I have a lot of Lino type.

I have a 55 gallon barrel of sorted COWW to process. No hurry though, I got 600-700 lbs under one of my work benches

 

[Standardvel]

Bricks make good moulds ingots fall right out when tipped on their side also the lead seems to solidify quicker than steel moulds. I clean up scrap lead in a cast iron pot and just this week got a bottom pour pot. Cast about 300 .45 bullets, I think I will retire my ladle.