I have cast double cavity heads for my .303 Brit. I needed an bigger bullet, though to match my bore so I just ordered the .316 from NOE. It is a 5 cavity. Now I ask: I have an old lyman or lee Bottom Drop pot. Can I use it for the 5 cavity or will I have to hand-pour? Thanks.
Thanks Swede. I would imagine that I fill from the handles out and never attempt to cast less than the 5 cavities. I am by no means a master but I have been casting, usually one day per summer, for the past 12 years with good results. I am moving from blackpowder reloading to smokeless for my WWII rifles. Your words of encouragement are appreciated. reindeer
The mold blocks arrived today and two thoughts came to mind–what handles do I use? I have some large Lyman (I believe) handles. Will they be of use? Second, the general instructions say that the aluminum molds work best at under 600 degrees. I believe that I cast at a higher temp than that. Should I control my temp to not exceed 600 or is the mold temp lower than the lead temp just because that is the way that thinks are?
Reindeer, that temperature that is listed is for the mold blocks, not the melted lead temperature. You should keep lead temps 700+ degrees F and your mold block temps closer to 400 degrees F. Lead temps and mold temps are definitely different things, otherwise when you pour your melted lead, it would stay in liquid form while inside the mold. Mold handle wise, I use either lee 6 cavity mold handles or the nicer (drilled and pinned) NOE mold handles.