Bullet casting temperature.

[CaptnJack]

I just got done melting down over 200 lbs of pure lead into 1lb ingots. I have never done bullet casting. What I found out when melting the lead is around 700 deg the lead flows real nice without any frosting or color turning. I also did the 50lbs of 20-1 lead I also had into 1lb ingots which I'm going to make into 16-1 also. What I would like to know is what is a good casting temp to make 16-1 PP bullets. I am using an old Lyman mag 20 pot I plan on using a dipper, not the bottom pour.Any suggestions will also help.
Thanks.

[beltfed]

I cast 16+1 lead/tin at about 720-730 F Works for me, also dipping in Lyman Magdipper pot.
Same temp for my 9+1 ww/lino
You Have a good lead thermometer , I hope?
I built and I am now using a PID Digital temperature controller that the pot plugs into.
Love it. set it to hit the desired temp and you can forget having to play with the pot rheostat.
I set it based on my long used Lyman or Tru-Temp thermometer reading.
beltfed/arnie

[Don McDowell]

775 is what I try to run most alloys at,

[Dennis Armistead]

760 degrees is where i pour 1-16 at. Make sure your sprue plate is hotter than normal, leave the sprue puddle bigger and sit a little longer to maintain more heat.
Dennis

[CaptnJack]

I cast 16+1 lead/tin at about 720-730 F Works for me, also dipping in Lyman Magdipper pot.
Same temp for my 9+1 ww/lino
You Have a good lead thermometer , I hope?
I built and I am now using a PID Digital temperature controller that the pot plugs into.
Love it. set it to hit the desired temp and you can forget having to play with the pot rheostat.
I set it based on my long used Lyman or Tru-Temp thermometer reading.
beltfed/arnie

I am also looking at building a PID. I already have built a few for beer making and an egg incubator. I seen how the temps fluctuated just melting the lead, not good.

[Kodiak]

When the surrounding air temp. is in the 70-90 range, I keep the pot at 760-770, when casting 20:1 alloy. It has been mentioned to keep the sprue-plate very hot, I do this too.
If casting during cold weather, I like the heated alloy to be 780*. Also, the overall size of the mold-blocks dictates (somewhat) the heated alloy casting temp. Thicker blocks tend to hold their heat better.

My $0.02,

Jim

[MikeT]

Bullet casting temperature is actually a moving target. I have three thermometers; Lyman, RCBS and a Tel-Tru. None of them read the same temperature when in the pot together. I've seen up to a 60 degree spread between them.

So, take notes and experiment with the temperature to see what lead temp casts best and at what ambient temperature.
Do not try to cast at the same temperature that someone may indicate they cast their bullets at, unless it works well for you.

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

[Kurt]

I have a thermometer in the drawer I think I don't worry about the temperature of my lead I just look at the underside of the sprue and when frosting start showing up I turn the heat down. After casting 50 or so I refill the pot and take a break till the temp is back up.

[SchuetzenDave]

I cast outside when it is between -10 and 0 C.

I need to keep my lead quite hot at 826 F. to keep my moulds hot enough when pouring at those colder temperatures.

I cast 20:1 lead:tin alloy.

My bullets do not show any frosting.

[desert deuce]

Schuetzen Dave, are you telling me that if you leave your bullets out over night there will not be frost on them in the morning ?

[gunlaker]

I cast outside when it is between -10 and 0 C.

I need to keep my lead quite hot at 826 F. to keep my moulds hot enough when pouring at those colder temperatures.

I cast 20:1 lead:tin alloy.

My bullets do not show any frosting.

I prefer cold weather casting too. I try to do ll of mine in the spring when there is still snow on the ground, and then in fall once the mornings are nice and cool. In addition to being more comfortable, you can cast a bit faster.

Chris.