ideal lead temp?

[hugginsvilleH&A]

for the long bullets what would be the ideal temp? I thought I read if you get it too hot you will burn off the tin , is this true? thanks for your help

[AdamN]

I dont think there is a specific number. Something less than 800 degrees is probably best. A bigger bullet will generally take a little hotter temp just to keep the lead fluid enough till the mold fills.

The mold design, alloy, bullet, ambient temp, casting speed and many other factors can vary the "ideal" temp.

You can really keep cranking up the temp till the bullets start finning out, when the lead starts seeping into the vent lines. Thats too hot.

There probably is a temp that can burn the tin off but I dont think you would get very good bullets running that hot.


When I start casting with something new I look for a few indicators, if the bullets come out really shiny and wrinkled its to cold. (this is with the mold up to temp) If youre getting a pretty good bullet but perhaps the corners and edges arent as sharp as you like youre getting close.
You may be able to cast a little faster at that point and get the mold temp up a little more.

If youre getting sharp bullets but a little frosty youre there in some peoples point of view, nothing wrong with a little frost on the bullet.

If the sprue seems to take to long to cool and your bullets start getting fins, too hot.

[hugginsvilleH&A]

thanks aneat, can I ask 2 more newby 3 more newby?
#1 frosty bullet is OK?
#2 what do can use for flux?
and #3 can you adjust bullet weight by adjusting alloy mix if so how does that work, more pure to the mix or more tin, WW ?

[AdamN]

Frosty bullets are just fine, some like a little frost cause the lube sticks better.


For flux you can use beeswax, candles, crayons, wood chips/sawdust, old bullet lube.

You can adjust your weight with the alloy, adding tin/antimony will reduce the weight but also increase the hardness.

A softer/heavier bullet will also come out a smaller diameter than a harder/lighter bullet.
The more lead% the more the cast bullet will shrink.

I wouldnt worry so much about the weight but get an alloy that comes out close to the diameter you need.
Many molds are cut for a standard alloy of 92%lead, 6% antimony and 2% lead.

The Lyman #2 "standard" is 90% lead 5% antimony and 5% tin

Adding Lino is the best way to increase the antimony, tin can be lead free solder or many other sources of tin.

Adding only tin will make a prettier/lighter bullet without increasing the hardess as much. But tin is expensive. It will also be a little easier on the bore than a lot of antimony wich can tend to be a little abrasive

[cohutt]

Frosty doesn't bother me as I would rather err on the side of hot/frosty vs cool/poor fill.
also, as practical matter i don't have to slow my casting speed down to let the mold cool with lee 6x molds if i don't mind frosty.

[Crazy4nitro]

I am a Noob at Casting but heres what I did.

I used about a Pea sized amount of Candle Wax. I threw it in and Stirred it around. t Caught on Fire,I stirred it around and skimmed off the Junk.

Have Fun and Be Safe.

'Nitro

[JLarsson]

I am a Noob at Casting but heres what I did.

I used about a Pea sized amount of Candle Wax. I threw it in and Stirred it around. t Caught on Fire,I stirred it around and skimmed off the Junk.

Have Fun and Be Safe.

'Nitro


I'd never stick my junk in a pot of molten lead. Cohutt pretty well convinced me that would be a bad idea.

[BigSlick]

Use some sawdust for flux if ya can, work real nice

[MakeMineaP99]

I got a five gallon bucket full (err, not full any more) of saw dust mixed with monotype chips, works real well for flux.

[layusn1]

What is the ideal temp for burnin Cohutt flesh?