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11
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by Bigsmoke on December 29, 2025, 11:31:40 AM »
Rob, I think that most casting machines utilize the bottom pour method and from what I have seen, they produce good quality projectiles.
12
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by Salty on December 29, 2025, 10:48:47 AM »
RobD, thank you!
13
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by RobD on December 29, 2025, 09:32:40 AM »
Quote from: KDubs on December 29, 2025, 07:56:16 AM
I'm sure I'll be casting some balls here soon enough.
 I used to weight  mine but I had so many that were either way under or over that more than half of my run had to be recast.  I've since change my lead source but i gave up weighing them .
 I use a lee bottom pour and with what I'm very , well ok,  pretty sure is pure lead .
 I wonder if I can compression pour with that set up , would that work?
Don't see why not.
 Great info here fellas
 Thanks for the video rob.
Kevin

I would say that at least something like compression casting will work with a bottom pour furnace.
14
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by KDubs on December 29, 2025, 07:56:16 AM »
I'm sure I'll be casting some balls here soon enough.
 I used to weight  mine but I had so many that were either way under or over that more than half of my run had to be recast.  I've since change my lead source but i gave up weighing them .
 I use a lee bottom pour and with what I'm very , well ok,  pretty sure is pure lead .
 I wonder if I can compression pour with that set up , would that work?
Don't see why not.
 Great info here fellas
 Thanks for the video rob.
Kevin
 
 
15
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by RobD on December 28, 2025, 04:22:57 PM »
Quote from: Salty on December 28, 2025, 03:24:59 PM
RobD, do you know of a video demonstrating the compression method? I searched on YouTube but couldn?t find anything.

Compression casting .45-70 slicks, 1:16 tin:lead alloy ...

16
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by Salty on December 28, 2025, 03:24:59 PM »
RobD, do you know of a video demonstrating the compression method? I searched on YouTube but couldn?t find anything.
17
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by RobD on December 28, 2025, 02:20:41 PM »
After decades of casting with a ladle I tried a Lee bottom pour, thought it would save time and be easier than a ladle ... terrible experience, what a mess, inconsistent weights, gave up and went back to the ladle.
18
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by Salty on December 28, 2025, 01:54:04 PM »
I have been buying my lead from RotoMetals. They claim 99% pure but what do I know. Anyway I expect the balls under 182 have air bubbles. But over 183 I bet there is some sort of impurities. But what is heavier than lead that could be mixed in there?
I?m gonna need to read several times how RobD does a compression casting. Sounds interesting. I now pour from a Lee bottom pour.
19
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by RobD on December 28, 2025, 12:52:04 PM »
Quote from: No Powder on December 28, 2025, 11:19:18 AM
Sometimes when I'm using a bag mold and empty the ladle on it, those strands of lead that overflow will not permit the opening of the mold. So they are simply broken off and threw back in the molten lead. Some of those strands snap right off. Some have to be bent back and forth several times to get them to break off. Is that an indication of the purity of the lead or does it indicate something else?

I dunno for sure.  "Pure" lead shouldn't be brittle and if it is then I'd think it's not "pure" and is either an alloy and/or has contaminants.  Melting lead or lead alloy (tin and or antimony) all needs to have the dross removed continually, as well as stirred often.
20
Accoutrements / Re: weight variance of cast RBs
« Last post by No Powder on December 28, 2025, 11:19:18 AM »
Sometimes when I'm using a bag mold and empty the ladle on it, those strands of lead that overflow will not permit the opening of the mold. So they are simply broken off and threw back in the molten lead. Some of those strands snap right off. Some have to be bent back and forth several times to get them to break off. Is that an indication of the purity of the lead or does it indicate something else?
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