Wally & L Ross,
Right now I'm using sprue plate lube from, I think N.O.E. Been using it about two years now. My bottle of OLD two stroke was pretty much dead. So I thought I'd give it a try.
Works Great.
Fill up aluminum or iron/steel and apply after 1st or 2nd fill. Wipe on/Wipe off.
I also think my method of casting has A LOT to do with it. Since I cast with multiple molds, there is sufficient time for the lead to harden so I just don't get Lead smear. I rest my molds on a skinny old piece of molding, so there is air flow under the mold. Also when I open and dump bullets, I leave the mold and sprues plate open for "two-three Mississippi's". This I think serves to cool the mold just enough to keep from getting lead smears but not enough to cool too much.
I also cast in open air on my patio. Here in So Cal a few miles from the beach I cast in 55-70degree weather for 8 months out of the year.
I also cast from molds having the same profile and composition.
In other words; 3-4 Lyman 2cav, 2-3 Lyman 4cav & RCBS 2cav, 2-3 N.O.E or Accurate 4-5cav molds at a time.
The same height & width so the rhythm stays the same.
And I adjust alloy & temp accordingly.
My Brothers/Cousins used the sponge method when casting from 8-10cav H&G molds with My Dad & Uncle back in the 1950's/60's.
Right now I'm using sprue plate lube from, I think N.O.E. Been using it about two years now. My bottle of OLD two stroke was pretty much dead. So I thought I'd give it a try.
Works Great.
Fill up aluminum or iron/steel and apply after 1st or 2nd fill. Wipe on/Wipe off.
I also think my method of casting has A LOT to do with it. Since I cast with multiple molds, there is sufficient time for the lead to harden so I just don't get Lead smear. I rest my molds on a skinny old piece of molding, so there is air flow under the mold. Also when I open and dump bullets, I leave the mold and sprues plate open for "two-three Mississippi's". This I think serves to cool the mold just enough to keep from getting lead smears but not enough to cool too much.
I also cast in open air on my patio. Here in So Cal a few miles from the beach I cast in 55-70degree weather for 8 months out of the year.
I also cast from molds having the same profile and composition.
In other words; 3-4 Lyman 2cav, 2-3 Lyman 4cav & RCBS 2cav, 2-3 N.O.E or Accurate 4-5cav molds at a time.
The same height & width so the rhythm stays the same.
And I adjust alloy & temp accordingly.
My Brothers/Cousins used the sponge method when casting from 8-10cav H&G molds with My Dad & Uncle back in the 1950's/60's.