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All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should treated as suspect and not used.
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All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.
Use reloading information posted here at your own risk. This forum (http://www.full-bore.co.uk) is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury as a consequence of using reloading data posted here, the information is individual members findings and observations only. Always verify the load data and be absolutely sure your firearm can handle the load, especially older ones. If in doubt start low and work your way up.
I've been casting some 12g slug and 00 buckshot this weekend, the slug have casted fine but had problems with my buckshot as can be seen from the picture ive been getting loads of badly formed strings.
I'm using a Lee 18 ball mould and pouring from a Lee production pot with bottom pour spout. Last time I did them virtually all came out fully formed but these are just plain crap, probably got 40% fully formed this time, I tried heating the lead more but that didn't help, mould was pre heated by having it ontop of the pot while lead was melting and even tried dipping it in to no avail.
Just don't know what I'm doing wrong this time, please help.
You also need to get the mould and importantly the sprue plate up to casting temperature as well.
Aluminium heats up quicker than the sprue plate so although the mould might be up to temperature the sprue plate might not and so cools the alloy as it enters the mould.
How are you heating the mould, there is a bit of metal in those Lee 18 holers?
What is the alloy?
Come on Bambi get some
Imperial Good Metric Bad
Analogue Good Digital Bad
dromia wrote:You also need to get the mould and importantly the sprue plate up to casting temperature as well.
Aluminium heats up quicker than the sprue plate so although the mould might be up to temperature the sprue plate might not and so cools the alloy as it enters the mould.
How are you heating the mould, there is a bit of metal in those Lee 18 holers?
What is the alloy?
Just heating it on the top of the melting pot while it melts the lead. Can't remember if maybe last time I used a blowtorch to pre heat.
The alloy is range reclaimed lead that I melt down, skim the crap off, flux with wood shavings and mould into ingots then when required stick the ingots in the Lee production pot.
I was melting down a batch of range lead today and also tried casting straight from that with the lymans pourer but that was even worse, slugs and .38 sp were coming out fine, bloody annoying me about the buck as I want to build a load of different test/development rounds before a comp I have in 3 weeks.
Heat the sprue plate up, I use a hot plate to heat my moulds up to casting temperature with the sprue plate resting on the hot plate.
With something like that 18 holer I'd get it right hot first of all so that the sprue puddle won't cool then cast slowly till it gets to a working temperature.
There is nothing wrong with frosted boolits so long as the frosting is even not patchy.
Come on Bambi get some
Imperial Good Metric Bad
Analogue Good Digital Bad
