New to the Bullet Casting club

[crapsguy]

Been casting boolits for over 40 years.
My advice; don't try to make it rocket science, because it's not,
I'm in SW okc, it you want some F to F instruction give me a shout

I second that!! not nearly as complicated as some would like to imply
and go ahead with powder coating - its a piece of cake and keeps you from handling the lead
lead oxidizes at temps WAY above melting so "fumes" are not as much a hazard as some think
I use an old 4qt stainless steel sauce pan on a cheap walmart electric hotplate to melt my rough material
I have never mixed stuff in my lead but do separate out [skim off] the zinc

 

[swampratt]

I have added silver solder to my lead.
Werewolf issues ya know.
And I have used a lot of 50-50 solder to mix into me lead.
At one time I had 50 lbs of Harris 50/50 solder in 1 lb sticks or close to it.
Only a few of those left after 25 years of using them.

 

[Ahall]

Been casting over 30 years.
I prefer it for large bore, slow stuff.

311 cal is likely to be a bottle neck case.
Trick is those are usually 2 die sets.
3 die sets for strait walls resize the neck on the second die and you can adjust to add a small bell or flair to case neck.
That little flair is very useful when reloading cast lead because cast rounds do not typically have a small radius on the base of the bullet to ease starting into the case mouth.

A championing tool is an option, or you may need to a third die.
You will know fast if the projectiles do not seat easily.


Safety
spatter happens, so
eye protection
No food or drink in the work area
Dress like you would in a weld shop, avoid clothing that melts and sticks to your skin.
Ventilation


Get a reloading manual appropriate for cast lead, and read it.
It's a little different, but not much.

Lots of home brew ideas for lubrication and coating.
Do a little reading and decide what is right for you.


Casting,
Preheating your molds gets you to good rounds faster.
Pay attention to the cutting plate and be sure it stays tight.
Take care of your molds and they will last a lifetime or more.