My little bullet pouring setup. I am water quenching straight WW. At the moment, I am pouring .324 Lee 175 gr GC and .430 230 TL.
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Pour them bullets!
- Thread starter kjohn
- Start date
Nice looking boolits OP!
My first serious attempt at pouring some bullets was tonight... overall it went pretty well, though I am sure I have a ton of room for improvement.
What do you guys think? Tips? Pointers?
My first serious attempt at pouring some bullets was tonight... overall it went pretty well, though I am sure I have a ton of room for improvement.
What do you guys think? Tips? Pointers?
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Good to know, I appreciate the feedback!
Got the mould at the local crappy tire of all places! Imagine this, but they didn't even have it locked in with all the gun stuff... it was mixed into the kitchenware section... their staff is so incompetent lol, can't even sort a mould in the right section... HA!
I agree that it's a nice setup, but personally, I would be using a larger quench bucket.
A 5 gallon pail on the floor would heat up slower and the quench would be similar from beginning to end.
Your tub is starting out cold, but after a few boolits, the water is hot. You're going to want consistency from beginning to end, and trying to keep the water the same temp will help.
Also, I'm surprised you haven't burnt through the bottom of your tub by now. I know I would have.
A 5 gallon pail on the floor would heat up slower and the quench would be similar from beginning to end.
Your tub is starting out cold, but after a few boolits, the water is hot. You're going to want consistency from beginning to end, and trying to keep the water the same temp will help.
Also, I'm surprised you haven't burnt through the bottom of your tub by now. I know I would have.
2 things
1 use a larger bucket for quenching.
2 when I am pouring bullets I use liquid graphite on the top of the bullet mold. So it never pals(lead sticking under it). Then with a welding glove break the sprule off and drop back into the pot.
I have 30 different bullet molds. 2600lbs of lead. On my 2nd 20 lb lead melting pot. LIG
1 use a larger bucket for quenching.
2 when I am pouring bullets I use liquid graphite on the top of the bullet mold. So it never pals(lead sticking under it). Then with a welding glove break the sprule off and drop back into the pot.
I have 30 different bullet molds. 2600lbs of lead. On my 2nd 20 lb lead melting pot. LIG
Quenching mostly because both the .324 and .430 will be fired from a rifle. The water doesn't get warm. I empty it before that. The lead was getting a bit warm, as it had been sitting there for a while, not being added to.
I have been pouring bullets for a good many years and have always had good luck with Lee moulds and melting pots. I use a bit of Marvelux when I add some new ingots. The pot I am using is new, as my other two are getting pretty ratty after melting a lot of wheel weights. I gas check the .324's after a quick tumble with Lee Alox, then tumble again. If I use #2 or linotype, I also put some blue lube in the grooves with my fingers. (I forget the name of the lube)
I am not a championship target shooter, so I am happy to have some cheap bullets to fire warning shots with. I have a nice new Chiappa .44 mag rifle that needs some attention, thus the .430.
I have been pouring bullets for a good many years and have always had good luck with Lee moulds and melting pots. I use a bit of Marvelux when I add some new ingots. The pot I am using is new, as my other two are getting pretty ratty after melting a lot of wheel weights. I gas check the .324's after a quick tumble with Lee Alox, then tumble again. If I use #2 or linotype, I also put some blue lube in the grooves with my fingers. (I forget the name of the lube)
I am not a championship target shooter, so I am happy to have some cheap bullets to fire warning shots with. I have a nice new Chiappa .44 mag rifle that needs some attention, thus the .430.
Your set up looks nice. One thing that I've done is I've added some sheet metal to the top of my working area. I got a scrap piece of back pan (what a roofer uses behind skylights and chimneys) and put it on the bench. I was lucky enough to get a piece the was 10' long!! (A used piece of valley metal, if it doesn't have a double break in it would be good too). It fit my bench perfectly. The inevitable wayward lead drops are super easy to deal with.
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My goodness! The pic was meant to just show the pot, moulds and quench bucket, along with eye protection. It isn't a permanent "setup" by any means. It is on a 4'x4' table that I move around in my shop to suit the job at hand.
Heck, I've poured bullets on the kitchen counter when the wifey was away! I especially liked to set up on the front deck at my cabin, then when scantily clad women would come along, I could very carefully explain what I was doing! Takes planning, you know!
Heck, I've poured bullets on the kitchen counter when the wifey was away! I especially liked to set up on the front deck at my cabin, then when scantily clad women would come along, I could very carefully explain what I was doing! Takes planning, you know!
