Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

In the Field => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: Hammerhead on June 10, 2011, 02:17:43 AM

Title: makeing roundballs
Post by: Hammerhead on June 10, 2011, 02:17:43 AM
tried my hand at makeing 50 caleber round balls today made 120 of em in about an hour not to bad
Title: Re: makeing roundballs
Post by: flintboomer on June 10, 2011, 03:23:52 AM
Not bad! Did you use a 2 cavity mould?
I don't usually count time or quantity when I cast. I just cast until I run out of time or lead.

I don't mind casting up to about .54 caliber, anything larger takes too long to harden and uses up the lead supply too fast.
Title: Re: makeing roundballs
Post by: Hammerhead on June 10, 2011, 03:29:37 AM
yes it was a two cavity lee brand
Title: Re: makeing roundballs
Post by: crazell on June 10, 2011, 03:38:13 AM
Like flintboomer has said,don't worry about how many or how fast you made them.. Just get into a good rhythm and go till your done or run out of lead.
Title: Re: makeing roundballs
Post by: Blackfeet on June 10, 2011, 03:45:41 AM
Quote from: flintboomer on June 10, 2011, 03:23:52 AM
Not bad! Did you use a 2 cavity mould?
I don't usually count time or quantity when I cast. I just cast until I run out of time or lead.

I don't mind casting up to about .54 caliber, anything larger takes too long to harden and uses up the lead supply too fast.

I generally set up and cast 3-4 sizes at once and this allows the cooling of the sprues. On the small 32-36 cals I can fill and empty without putting the molds down. I have doubled up with molds on a couple sizes that I use more.
Title: Re: makeing roundballs
Post by: gordy on June 10, 2011, 04:48:24 AM
           Hammerhead ,  great going . You can pay a lot more for a mold other then a Lee , but I"ve had very good luck with Lee. I usually cast 100-150 at a session . I try to keep at least 100 ahead for each caliber .  Keep up the good work and be safe .


                                                 flwa thmbsup
Title: Re: makeing roundballs
Post by: DandJofAZ on June 11, 2011, 11:30:50 PM
Use the two mold method myself  just use two sizes that aren't  too close to the same....mixed 451 and 454's are a bitch..375 and 390 aren't much better...suppose you can figure out how I know ....

Doug
Title: Re: makeing roundballs
Post by: Blackfeet on June 11, 2011, 11:41:46 PM
32, 36 & 40 do not work well (susp). I like 50/36, 54/40 & 45/32
Title: Re: makeing roundballs
Post by: flintboomer on June 17, 2011, 02:24:34 AM
If I cast mulitple calibers I try to have mulitple drop boxes to minimize the sorting process, and when I sort the finished product I have 3 categories:
1 recast
2 practice or short range sight in
3 best
It is best to label # 2 and 3 BEFORE putting them away!
Title: Re: makeing roundballs
Post by: larry74 on October 30, 2011, 01:24:53 PM
I have no mistakes just remelts LOL