Casting Bullets First Time

[brewer12345]

20:1 for trapdoor type loads would probably be ideal. A cheaper alternative would be lead with 1% each of antimony and tin. If you are shooting higher pressure loads in your Marlin you may want something a bit harder.

 

[Old Stumpy]

You might consider the Lee Magnum Melter instead of the old Coleman stove. No fumes, more compact, and less messy. It's still an egg dipper pot but there is no pour spout to plug up and it has a large capacity.

 

[Austin Edwards]

I have a Lyman Big Dipper Furnace and so far its been great. All the lead I had I melted down in a 10 qt cast iron pot to flux and get the dross out. Only melt "clean" lead out of the lyman big dipper.

 

[Texas10mm]

what would you recommend would be the best lead to use 20:1 or something else?

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm

PLEASE start reading this. It's going to save you a LOT of headaches.

 

[Austin Edwards]

Texas10mm Thanks for the good link ill be sure to read up on this.
One last question I purchased a lee 90577 double cavity .459 500 grain mould. Yet out of the six books I have I cannot find a COL or any information about this round.
I set one to the standard 2.550 and it is seated way to far down. Also in belling these large rounds should I bell just enough of them to set in like the standard 405 grain or go further?
One again thank you in advance!!

 

[brewer12345]

If the bullet has a crimp groove I would try seating it to the crimp groove as long as that does not give you a COAL over max. I flare a bit more for cast than I do for jacketed.