I been seeing a lot of posts on first time casters hear and elsware.
I think it would be good to let them know what people like you do that have done this for a while,I would like to have your input on this.
Thie is how I do it.I know every one has his or her way,but this workes for me.
First I will let you know my fealings on over the counter moulds,I know they are not to expensive, but I feel that is like putting a $35 scope on a $1500 fine varmint rifle and wondering why it wont hold zero.I dont think there has been a good blackpowder mould since the Ideal name.I havent found one anyway.I dont think any are made for lube carrying.I placed many phone calls to RCBS/Lyman/Saeco,and pritty much got the same answer, NO MARKET.
First you have to get the mould and alloy up to temp.I dont flux to often,just when I first start,and I never use a acid based flux if you do just make sure you clean and oil the mould when your done.I use bullet lube or candel wax.I used to use rosin flux when I had some on hand it is expensive but workes great.
I use a temperature controled lead pot , I have a 20lb lee with the bottom pour pulled off.It holds temp good.I dont use a fish cooker or my old plumbing lead pot furnace for this job,it gets used for mixing up 40 or 50 lbs of ingots. I feel that is just as important as consistancy on how you pour.
I try to keep my soup at 750 deg.I dont add more alloy to the pot till I'm done with the batch I'm making It will change the weight of the bullet,boath by cooling the alloy and it might be a diferent alloy mix.I cast 1-30 for lube bullets and 1-50 for paperpatch I also swage the PP bullets with that alloy.
I use a ladle only I get more consistancy.I use the RCBS ladle I like it.When I pour I empty the hole ladle,I know your going to say that hakes a mess,Ya I'm a messy caster.But the reason is when the mould is full I keep pouring to let the bullet harden and you will have less shrinkage.When my sprew cools you have to look hard to see a dimple.
My bullets will not varry 3 tents of a grain from light to heavy.
I dont let my bullet frost.The first sign of frosting comes under the sprew,you will see it there first.I feel the frosting contributes to leadind and I is an indecation of the alloy seperating.
Keep the sprew cutter loose it should swing free.
when first starting and your mould is oiled from storage,clean it with a solvent,like a gun scrubber or alcahol,I boil a pot of water and put the mould in that.
I use a rag with bullet lube on it to put a little on top of the sprew cutter and under it to keep the solder from sticking on the block and the sprew will fall off when cutting it.I do this when the mould is hot.(a little goes a long way)
Well I will let some one else put there input in this.I hope this will help some.I cant type so it takes me a long time to get this down and kinda for get what I was going to say
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