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I seem to have pretty good success with Lee molds too. But I will tumble those until there is a little dimple where the sprue was. Takes about an hour and I load that little dimple up.
From what I'm reading, it doesn't matter what kind of sawdust or shavings you use. Is that correct?Pretty much. It has to be DRY, you don't want to risk adding wet sawdust or shavings and getting a visit from the tinsel fairies.
I stick with sawdust from poplar/pine/oak/cherry (but those are the woods I cut the most). Sticking with the lighter-colored woods makes it easier for me to see if I'm getting woods that I know will mess up my sinuses. But they all work.
YMMV, of course.
A few questions for you experienced LRB casters...
Do you cast with "pure lead?
As "pure" as possible, which will never ever be 100% pure. For cast ML balls, it won't matter much. For other cast projectiles specifically for long distance shooting, particularly those that require a bit more hardness by alloying with tin, slick/bullet composition is important.
Do you cast with a bottom pour or a dipper?
NEVER bottom pour - most of us in BPCR will only ladle via "compression casting".
Do you flux it?
What do you use for flux?
YES and YES - DRY wood dust or candle wax. Anything wet introduced into a pot of molten lead is asking for trouble.
Do you stir it in and skim from the surface?
YES - stir well and then skim off the dross.
If you bottom pour, is it really necessary to flux, mix and skim?
Yes ... but again, I won't ever use a bottom pour furnace again.
I am trying to get as pure a lead ball as possible. I suspect that impurities in the lead pot affect the weight and accuracy of the ball.
Sure will ... but in reality it's air or dirty lead that'll be the biggest issue. Compression casting with a ladle is the way to go, at least for me and most BPCR shooters.
From what I'm reading, it doesn't matter what kind of sawdust or shavings you use. Is that correct?Pretty much. It has to be DRY, you don't want to risk adding wet sawdust or shavings and getting a visit from the tinsel fairies.
