Lyman Mini-Mag Furnace Master Casting Kit 110 Volt

[andyo5]

Let's say that I wanted to get into bullet casting without blowing alot of dough. Would this kit be adequate for casting bullets for a single shooter who shoots a moderate amount? I understand that I would need to add a top punch and sizing die.
This kit does not have bottom pour capabilities. Is that a significant issue?
Thanks.

 

[andyo5]

Let's say that I wanted to get into bullet casting without blowing alot of dough. Would this kit be adequate for casting bullets for a single shooter who shoots a moderate amount? I understand that I would need to add a top punch and sizing die.
This kit does not have bottom pour capabilities. Is that a significant issue?
Thanks.

 

[Jeff423]

You should check out :http://castboolits.gunloads.com/
They have all the answers. In my opinion a bottom pour is better. I've tried a ladle and wasn't happy. You can get a nice Lee 20 lb with bottom pour for less than $60.00.
FWIW those furnaces are often for sale at Cast Boolits. The kit is priced very attractively but I think that a lot of people who purchase the kit quickly move to a bottom pour.

Jeff

 

[Cary]

Originally posted by andyo5:
Let's say that I wanted to get into bullet casting without blowing alot of dough. Would this kit be adequate for casting bullets for a single shooter who shoots a moderate amount? I understand that I would need to add a top punch and sizing die.
This kit does not have bottom pour capabilities. Is that a significant issue?
Thanks.

I think the kit would do a fine job for moderate quantities of bullets. There are quite a few people who pour using a ladle. I stated casting years ago with a Lee Pro 4-20 which is a bottom poor unit and it has done a great job for me. Both styles of casting (bottom pour & ladle) require a certain technique and once learned they will both do the job. One thing I like about the bottom pour units is that any contaminate that is in the lead such as dirt or grit will rise to the top if you stir the alloy well and scrape the sides of the pot. When you fill your mold you are drawing from the area away from the dross on top. Don't get me wrong there are a lot of guys who use a ladle to cast and do a fine job of it. You could also get set up cheaper for casting than the price of that kit as well. It just depends on what you want.
Cary

 

[BE Mike]

I know that this is not the model you asked about, but I have the Lyman Mag 20 which is a bottom pour. I would recommend the bottom pour. I've owned my Mag 20 for 25 years with no problems. I use four cavity Lyman moulds. Lyman makes top notch casting equipment and their cast bullet manual is tops.

 

[nicky4968]

I use an old 10-pound Lee bottom pour for most of my bullets.
However, I cast one wadcutter out of pure lead. For that, I have a little 5-pound Lee pot and I use a ladle. That pot is reserved for lead and lead alone.
If I ever get a Pocket Navy or Police, I would cast the lead balls the same was that I cast my wadcutters.

 

[epj]

Some folks prefer the ladle to cast large rifle bullets. WHen casting pistol bullets, especially in any quantity, the bottom pour is pretty nice. Even the little Lee 10 # pot works pretty well. Yes, the bottom pours may drip a bit, but they usually just need to be cleaned. When everything is right, dripping is negligable.

 

[Snapping Twig]

RCBS makes a nice 2 kilo bottom pour furnace. Mine is pre-RCBS and after 25 years it's still running strong.

Lee is a good low cost alternative.

The force of a bottom pour furnace helps to fill out the mould and to my mind it's superior for volume casting.

Whatever you get, keep the temp around 700 ~ 710 F.