What is the proper temp for casting WW bullets and pure lead miniballs? Thanks Kurt

Depends. How big are your bullets? 100 grain .32s or 500 grain buffalo thumpers? Iron or aluminum moulds? Are you casting in an unheated garage today or 6 months from now. Pure lead or linotype?

I'd try 750°F / 400°C. If your bullets are still wrinkled after a dozen casts, go up 50°F. If they're frosted badly, go down the same amount and try it. Pure lead needs more heat than high antimony alloys.

Bye
Jack

I will be casting .457 round balls, 533 mini's out of pure lead and 38, 44, and 45 plinker bullets. Lee molds will be used. Kurt

I currently cast rifle and handgun at about 825. This temp is measured, not guessed, it's cold in Nebraska right now and I need the high temps to keep my moulds warm. I cast with three, two cavity moulds at a time. During the warmer months, I try to keep around 750 to 775. As the moulds heat up, I lay the hot moulds on ingots to act as a heat sink to regulate the mould temps. When the ingots get hot, and they will, I use them to replenish the pot, and get fresh ingots for heat sinks. I cast pure lead at about 750 also.

I don't have any aluminum moulds, but round balls don't have any sharp corners that are hard to fill out, so any reasonable temperature should do. I'd try 650-700° so they'll cool faster and you'll get more production.

It's said that getting a good fill on the skirts of a mini is tricky. You have to keep the mould hot, so try 800-850°.

Try 800° on the 38s as a smaller bullet means you've got more mould block to heat. 750° to start with the 44 and 45. Adjust as required.

There's lots of members who have Lee moulds that may have a better idea of what's needed.

I understand that casters with bottom pour pots run about 50° hotter than we ladle casters do.

Bye
Jack

244...

The instructions that came with my Lee Pro 20 Series Melter offers...

"Cast at the lowest temperature that will give good fill out. 650F is a good starting point."

I've started to keep a log of temperatures, heat control settings, type of metal, ambient temperature, and results. I don't have that notebook with me at this time.

244...

Found this in my Lyman Casting Thermometer instructions...

"Recommended casting ranges for ... begin at the metal's melting point and go 100F beyond.

Linotype 470F
#2 Alloy 540F
Wheel weights or Pure Lead 600F