OK,
Just got a Lyman Lead Thermometer.
I'd been flying blind for years.
I'm casting minie balls for a Civil war musket and although I will be running it through a sizer die I have on order, I was curious as to what you guys run your temp at (for those who have a thermometer). This morning I had a few hours at home to run some out and was running between 750-800 where it seemed to run best. I was amazed at how the temp would fluctuate depending on what I was doing like taking a pause or adding more lead. When I had it at what I had run before, the temp as 900 so I dropped it down till it got to 750 before I started. I had to periodically bump the dial on the Lyman Big dipper to keep it in that 750-800 range.
(Lee .578 minie ball mold is aluminum)
I"m also curious about how the temp of the lead or mold affects shrinkage. We all know how shrinkage can be important.
.
Just got a Lyman Lead Thermometer.
I'd been flying blind for years.
I'm casting minie balls for a Civil war musket and although I will be running it through a sizer die I have on order, I was curious as to what you guys run your temp at (for those who have a thermometer). This morning I had a few hours at home to run some out and was running between 750-800 where it seemed to run best. I was amazed at how the temp would fluctuate depending on what I was doing like taking a pause or adding more lead. When I had it at what I had run before, the temp as 900 so I dropped it down till it got to 750 before I started. I had to periodically bump the dial on the Lyman Big dipper to keep it in that 750-800 range.
(Lee .578 minie ball mold is aluminum)
I"m also curious about how the temp of the lead or mold affects shrinkage. We all know how shrinkage can be important.
.