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This is the process I use with my Iron Lyman and Accurate Molds while casting large conicals.
How to Cast ML Bullets
How to melt Lead
Have lead melt in Lee Pot for 45 minutes.
Check the temperature of the melted lead it should not go over 700 degrees.
While lead is melting have Ladle sit on top of lead so its metal temperature rises so it does not cause lead to splatter when the ladle is inserted into the melted lead.
Preparing Mold
Submerge mold into Acetone. This is to remove all oil’s from Mold.
Use Q-Tips to clean inside of molds.
Use Tooth Picks to clean groves in molds to ensure all dirt is removed.
Dry the mold off.
While ladle is inside the melted lead. Rest mold on top of the ladle and insert a little of the bottom portion of the mold into the melted lead for about 45-60 seconds. This will raise the temperature of the mold to reduce the number of bullets that will have creases in the bullets. The melted lead that is on the mold should scrape off very easily.
How to pour lead into the mold.
Dip ladle into the lead. Turn the mold to the right or left depending if you are a lefty and insert the tip of the ladle into the spur plate hole. Turn the mold upright while the tip of the ladle is still inserted into the mold. Twist the ladle left and right to cause a swirling action of lead being poured into the mold. Then continue to pour the lead into the mold slowly. This helps ensure there are no voids/air pockets in the bullets.
Use wooden hammer handle to knock spur plate open and move bullet from the mold. Check bullet to show there are no creases in the bullet and voids in the bottom of the bullet. Dump bullets into a shallow cardboard box. Some people insert a cloth towel in the box. I found that isn’t necessary.
Maintaining Molds.
When finished casting let mold cool off, clean again with Acetone and then coat the mold with oil to prevent the (Iron) mold from rusting.
How to Cast ML Bullets
How to melt Lead
Have lead melt in Lee Pot for 45 minutes.
Check the temperature of the melted lead it should not go over 700 degrees.
While lead is melting have Ladle sit on top of lead so its metal temperature rises so it does not cause lead to splatter when the ladle is inserted into the melted lead.
Preparing Mold
Submerge mold into Acetone. This is to remove all oil’s from Mold.
Use Q-Tips to clean inside of molds.
Use Tooth Picks to clean groves in molds to ensure all dirt is removed.
Dry the mold off.
While ladle is inside the melted lead. Rest mold on top of the ladle and insert a little of the bottom portion of the mold into the melted lead for about 45-60 seconds. This will raise the temperature of the mold to reduce the number of bullets that will have creases in the bullets. The melted lead that is on the mold should scrape off very easily.
How to pour lead into the mold.
Dip ladle into the lead. Turn the mold to the right or left depending if you are a lefty and insert the tip of the ladle into the spur plate hole. Turn the mold upright while the tip of the ladle is still inserted into the mold. Twist the ladle left and right to cause a swirling action of lead being poured into the mold. Then continue to pour the lead into the mold slowly. This helps ensure there are no voids/air pockets in the bullets.
Use wooden hammer handle to knock spur plate open and move bullet from the mold. Check bullet to show there are no creases in the bullet and voids in the bottom of the bullet. Dump bullets into a shallow cardboard box. Some people insert a cloth towel in the box. I found that isn’t necessary.
Maintaining Molds.
When finished casting let mold cool off, clean again with Acetone and then coat the mold with oil to prevent the (Iron) mold from rusting.