Sinker Pouring/Bullet Casting

[Skipper]

I have a few questions about pouring sinkers....

1) How large of a sinker can I pour with a bottom pour design lead melter? I may pour some large sinkers for catfishing. I understand that many large sinkers are pored with a ladle, but how big can I pour before I begin to have problems. I am looking at the Lee Pro 4 #20 bottom pour furnace, can I dip a ladle in there if I need to? I don't want to buy a ladle pot because most of my bulk will be smaller items. The large No-Roll sinkers will only be poured in small batches.

2) Should I flux the lead as if I was to cast a bullet? Bullet casters flux the lead, but I cant find a single word about anyone doing it for sinkers....

3) how much trimming will I have to do with the finished sinkers? I see that "Do-It" has a major part of the lead mold business tied up, but are they the best?

[MrMarty51]

We always just use an old pot or kettle and then pour with a ladle and the coleman cooking stove to heat it with out in the garage.
You want to avoid the fumes as they can be harmful to Your health.

[OTIS]

I have a Lee pro 4 and use mostly do-it molds.  The only limiting factor with the Lee pro 4 would be fitting the mold under the pot.  As for trimming, I always do clean up on my jigs before they go to paint.  The do-it molds are good, but you are limited to what they offer.  Hilts also makes molds.  I do not use flux while molding lead.  Hope this helps.

[Skipper]

can I get a ladle into a pro 4 if I need to?


Is the pro 4 a good unit? Lee has always done right by my me on price and quality on reloading stuff. I would guess their lead melting equipment would be held to the same standard of quality and value.

[OTIS]

I've never seen a ladel up close so I couldn't really say.  But if I had to guess I would guess no.  The opening is about the size of a coffee cup.  I have no problem with the Pro 4.  I've made a couple hundred gigs with it and ran it for maybe 5 hours so far.

[JackMagnum]

can I get a ladle into a pro 4 if I need to?


Is the pro 4 a good unit? Lee has always done right by my me on price and quality on reloading stuff. I would guess their lead melting equipment would be held to the same standard of quality and value.

The Lee has to be the BEST for the money. I've had a 10lb bottom pour for 15 years and have poured hundreds of pounds of lead. I am ready for the same model your looking at. Lee is an excellent company.

[Skipper]

The Lee has to be the BEST for the money. I've had a 10lb bottom pour for 15 years and have poured hundreds of pounds of lead. I am ready for the same model your looking at. Lee is an excellent company.

I agree! It is funny how Lee Precision can make products that work better for about 1/3 the price! Most of the LEE rifle reloading stuff I had was made in the USA too!

The more I got into hand loading cartridges, the less I checked the competition's products.

RCBS 22# 800W pro-melt..... Around $350 with mixed reviews and complaints about leaky valves that often plug.

Lee Pro 4 20# 700W furnace.... Around $70 with very positive feed back wherever you look.

Richard Lee's manuals are the best out there too...