chajohnson
posted this
16 January 2011
As a Texas parole officer, I cast mostly for handguns and load a substantial quantity of pistol and revolver fodder each year. I try to get to the range at least twice a month to stay on top of my game.
I used to cast with the Lee 452-228-1R and the Lee 452-190-SWC in 2 cavity at once, swapping each mold. These were my go-to molds for 45 ACP, and still are, from time to time, being able to cast about 1k of each in a full day. I then decided to try the Lee six cavity in the 452-228-1R, to see if I can cut down on my casting time & increase my reloading and shooting time. I would have gotten a 452-190-SWC also, but the later is no longer in production.
Like previously stated, you have to cast the six-banger fast and keep it hot. Additionally, a 20# furnace just barely keeps up. I also find that the consistency in the drop weight changes in the middle of casting if I add metal to the pot, even with good fluxing, and temperature control. I've subsequently purchased some six-bangers for 38-357 and have tried swapping the 6 cavity molds out but found the pot could not keep up. To resolve the problem, I mounted a Lyman XX 20# furnace above my Lee 20# bottom pour pot after removing the bottom plate and use the Lyman as a pre-melt feeder furnace. With this set-up, I can feed two to three gang molds and crank out more bullets than ever. Additionally, the consistency in bullet weight during the session has improved.
With, “honey do's,” however, I'm still having the problem of getting to the range a couple of times per month. Any help in this area would be appreciated.