chitty weather here today

[johnny2]

Have to vent,sorry.....Can't get on the fields today,rain and sleet.

Can't go to the range,rain and sleet..Guess i'll have to shoot out
through the window..

Here's a question for you to ponder..Have you ever heard of it not
being good to csat bullets when it's raining? Sometime to do with
the humidity or what ever..I heard these guys talking about it at
the range on day..

Maybe they ment it was not a good idea to cast in the rain.[8D][8D][8D]

[cayugad]

Casting is something to not take lightly. Humidity is dangerous, but actual moisture can cause serious injury. If moisture works into the melting pot where the hot molten lead is cooking, it can cause the moisture to rapidly evaporate and will explode molten metal out of the pot onto anyone or thing. Sweat, rain, all of that has no place around molten lead when casting. I am very moisture careful when I cast.

I have heard it suggested that when humid out, ventilation is even more critical when casting as the lead fumes can hang in the moisture laden air and make it easier for the caster to breath in the fumes. Whether there is basis in that, I do not know. I have casted in humid conditions, but I take frequent breathing fresh airbrakes.

If it is very cold, also watch for humidity forming on the metal that has not gone into the melting pot. Ice cold metal can hold moisture and if you drop that into molten lead, it can cause the molten lead to explode. I often times warm any lead about to be introduced to the melting pot over a flame for a few seconds just to warm it and to remove any moisture that might have formed. I find there is less reaction then when I introduce the fresh lead to the molten lead.

We had some nasty weather here last evening. It actually rained here in Northern Wisconsin. Hard to believe raining in January. Anyway it turned our roads into ice skating rinks. They warned all motorists to not leave their homes unless an emergency. Today it is snowing. So instead of range time, I have been working on some rifles.



I threw a Nikon Pro Staff 2-7x32mm on a Knight Disc rifle. Using Warne QD rings I think it makes a nice looking outfit. I will shoot that tomorrow.

[johnny2]

I know about the moisture and lead thing and your right it will explode.
I just thought they ment that the bullets would not be right or whatever.

I had that happen one time with me with some lead that had moisture
on it,so I started doing what you mentioned..I warmed it with a torch
for a bit..

Very nice looking rifle...Very nice indeed----Looks great...

You know,if I wanted to ,I could shoot from my loading room...I think
I will put in a small window this summer.just for that purpose....

[cayugad]

I've casted in humid conditions.. my woodworking shop in the winter is unheated most of the time and it gets very humid in there. I have casted projectiles and they came out just fine...

[oldwun]

Back in the late 80's I made a lot of extra money casting bullets for handguns. I cast the Keith Semi wadcutter in .357 and .44 cal. I used wheel weights which had some alloy in them. I did that year around casting 3000 at a time. I never had any problems with moisture. Now if you drop moisture into a pot of hot lead you stand a good chance of getting burned. I sold close to 150,000 bullets a year. The local police range had me cast regular wadcutters for them also. Having your head on straight is the key thing.