Bullet casting...

[Grant H.]

I've got a new 9mm 6 cavity lee bullet mould that will not reliably throw good bullets no matter what I try.

I get a few good, wrinkle free bullets once I get the mould up to temperature, but the majority have wrinkles on them.

My 6 cavity .45ACP mould has been great after cleaning it with soap and then brake cleaner.

Any thoughts?

[DFBrews]

Different lead than what you used with the .45 mold?

[Wulf202]

Does it have an internal temp gauge? Have you verified it?

[encorehunter]

I noticed I was holding my mold too far from the spigot, so the lead was cooling off too much before it was getting into the mold.

[Hoser]

Up the lead temp.

[Grant H.]

Same lead.

PID and thermocouple temp control that I've tested for accuracy.

I'll give moving it closer a shot, but it's strange that the .45acp comes out nice.

I usually cast at 725, how much higher would you suggest?

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas!

[Zombie Steve]

If you cleaned it, it will take a while before it starts throwing good boolits again. Maybe a couple hundred. Get that mold block hot. I don't know what pot you're using, but don't pour too slow.

[obawon]

Have you thoroughly smoked the insides of the mould with a candle so it has a nice coating of carbon? And as some others mentioned
- lead temp
- getting mold up to temp
- maybe add a little bit more tin

Good luck and happy casting

[Duman]

I'm thinking of casting bullets, pistol, for 38-special and 44-mag. Just to develop a new hobby/skill.

Any suggestions for references on alloys, temperatures, techniques, preferred equipment, igotcha's, etc......?