New to casting and coating.

[PPCLI-Jim]

Yup, it's a very interesting rabbit hole to go down. I got into this for a relic, now I'm making 2 harder to find bullet types unless I want to pay for shipping. Merritt is kinda the middle of nowhere, and everywhere it seems. Once I get this caliber down, I move onto casting my grandkid some Jig head hooks, powdercoat will begin.

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

Added some tin and got better results.

 

[yomomma]

Usually you want to add 3-5%.

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

thanks I'm pretty close to that, antimony from WesternMetals is in the mail to me.

 

[yomomma]

thanks I'm pretty close to that, antimony from WesternMetals is in the mail to me.

For fhe perfect mix, you want a 1:1 ratio for your tin:antimony

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

so I cast some more of the .311 and .308 today, much better results I think. This is the first batch of the ones to powder coat. I did have a bit of issue with the sprue cutter loosened off

 

[yomomma]

. I did have a bit of issue with the sprue cutter loosened off

Standard issue with Lee molds

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

I took a break for a few days, to go hunting. Very cold. On the way home I stopped in at a salvage yard and got 30 lbs of lead @1$ a lb.
I just ordered a drill tap and some set screws, Thank you.

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

Standard issue with Lee molds

Got an Amazon package today! I'll be dealing with it after I unstick a .338 LM case.

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

Tried another batch, this time with Antimony and Tin added. Much better production finish. Thanks to yomomma!

 

[Snider shooter]

I have both of those moulds. The one made for 30-30 I find works well in all 30 cals I have. The other I have a six cavity that has cast close to 10000 bullets. Most are shot out of my SKS.
DEFINITELY looking better than your first pictures.

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

Thank you, I have a lb of tin enroute here now. I'll be casting some hooks (jigheads) for the grandkid until it gets here.

 

[boxhitch]

I've seen a maker list his recipe as 92-6-2 , assuming it means 2% antimony?

am learning that mixture temp has a lot to do with finish too
still learning here, thanks for the thread

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

yes it does, I cast some boolitts and some fishing hooks today.

 

[boxhitch]

correcting myself here maybe
Lyman #2 alloy recipe is actually 92 lead, 2 tin, 6 antimony

"Brownells Hardball Bullet Casting Alloy. Ingots weight roughly 5 pounds. This alloy consists of 92% Lead, 2% Tin, and 6% Antimony. This is the modern version of the old Lyman #2 and is a great alloy for use in handgun bullets and many higher velocity rifle cartridges. Has a Brinell Harndess of about 16.

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

Thank you, right now I'm trying to cast a bunch so I can powder coat a worthwhile amount. I think i'm about 96 2 & 2 % roughly.

 

[yomomma]

correcting myself here maybe
Lyman #2 alloy recipe is actually 92 lead, 2 tin, 6 antimony

"Brownells Hardball Bullet Casting Alloy. Ingots weight roughly 5 pounds. This alloy consists of 92% Lead, 2% Tin, and 6% Antimony. This is the modern version of the old Lyman #2 and is a great alloy for use in handgun bullets and many higher velocity rifle cartridges. Has a Brinell Harndess of about 16.

That is actually "Hard Ball" or terracorp magnum alloy

Lyman #2 Is 90/5/5


96/2/2 will give you a brinell hardness of 11

https://imgur.com/1qZqmve

I usually do COWW/PEWTER at 97/3 which gives me EDIT: Water quenching can bring this up to the 20's

Tin %	Antimony %	Arsenic %	Copper %	Silver %	Lead %	Weight	Est. Hardness
3.26%	3.09%	0.24%	0.05%	0.00%	93.4%	100.0	12.4

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

I guess it dribbled a bit

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

 

[Snider shooter]

I have some Lee moulds that need a set screw. Just haven’t dug my tools out to do it. I have Lee moulds that have cast thousands and the screws stay put but others straight out of the box they keep coming loose.