Just got finished casting a bunch of pure lead 457-405 Lees and had 99 keepers. Haven't done any casting in a while and my technique sucks. I discarded thosethat didn't have a real good, squared off base and anything with wrinkles or pronounced mold lines.I figure my "keeper" rate was about 50%. Gonna run them through the .451 sizer when it comes in (Monday?). Heatand humidity be damned, the GM-LRH/Renegade is gonna get a workout in a week or two even if I've gotta shoot with sweat in my eyes.

It's all about timing....

I found running more than one mold during a session allowed the molds to maintain a constant temp and not get too hot, or cool off too much. I had to develope a rythm and an order to get things to come out right.

You dipping, or are you bottom pouring?

I used to mold with a pot for many years had it working well then I got a Lyman temp controled furnace, that really leveled things out. Lee

I'm using a pot and dipper over a home-made burner unit. Works OK. I just don't do enough casting to justify an electric unit - maybe a couple of hundred bullets a year.

Turn up the heat and stir often. Some good info over at Cast Boolits about a technique called "Leementing" (I think) a new Lee mold. I think it is true that, unless you cast often, you will lose your timing and generally go brain dead at the start of each session.

And with that new lead source of yours and those new molds coming -u need ta git it on der.

That's about where I was. I started to get into the swing of things near the end of the session. I was casting under my outdoor patio cover and it started to rain, so I called a quick halt the the session. Didn't want to chance any blown in raindrops.

Semi
I spent I think 39.00 for my 10 lb Lee production pot bottom pour works great on all types of bullets and jigs mold.
It gives a more consistent heat and better bullets. But if you are shooting them in sabots a few wrinkles doesent mean much I just check the weight.

After 20 plus years of shooting black powder cartridge rifles in competion
I have found where a few wrinkles and as much as 5 grains difference
in weight,really has not much effect on thinks..I know some shooters will
argue this,but I have been there and done that..So go ahead and shootem up..