I started casting with an camping stove and pots I picked up from the goodwill. now I have an lee melter I picked up for $20.
yep - propane stove works great. But be sure to have a lot of ventilation, wear safety glasses and gloves, and be careful your lead isn't wet or have oil on it when you add to the pot.
if the lead is wet let it dry or start it out in an cold pot and let it heat up. the moisture will evaporate before it will lead will get to its melting point.
if you get any lead in raw state (ie wheel weight, roofing, old lead pipes), melt them down and make them into ingots. the oils, tar, and what ever else could be used as flux.