Ambient casting temperature

[Martini2]

Just seeking opinions on if cooler is better room temp while casting.
This past week I ran 20+# of alloy in short time by alternately filling two 45 cal. molds. They were Lyman 457125 and 457132 molds at 530 & 535 grains. After initial fills to warm molds they started casting "keepers" and pace seemed much faster than summer. The outside or in this case garage temperature was 25-30 degrees F. For this run the pot temp was right at 800 F. & a digital proportional controller and thermocouple are employed in pot. Also employed is a very small fan to air cool the sprew plate. I'm looking forward to casting about 80# more worth of greasers to feed the hungry smoke poles this summer. How low can casting operating area temp be. The size and cast weight of these pills are par with these molds. This seems logical any one's experience vary? Best for holidays, RobertB

[Gunlaker]

The coldest I've cast in is -5 or so degrees Celcius, which is probably around 20 degrees or so. If you have big mold blocks to retain the heat it helps. I wouldn't even want to try my Hoch .32-40 mould at that temperature though. That one needs to be run flat out even when it's 60 degrees out.

I'd rather cast when it's cool out rather than when it's hot though! But then I'm from Canada :-)

Chris.

[MikeT]

The coldest I've cast in is -5 or so degrees Celcius, which is probably around 20 degrees or so. If you have big mold blocks to retain the heat it helps. I wouldn't even want to try my Hoch .32-40 mould at that temperature though. That one needs to be run flat out even when it's 60 degrees out.

I'd rather cast when it's cool out rather than when it's hot though! But then I'm from Canada :-)

Chris.

I normally cast during the winter. I have found that the dry air in the winter makes for easier casting, as opposed to Spring when the humidity may get high.

The ambient temperature does not make any difference as far a bullets dropping from the mould at the correct weight [as long as you cast at the same temperatures].

Keep on hav'n fun!
MikeT

[Martini2]

Here's a bit of update on topic. I have determined today that local -25 degrees F. chill factor is to low for mold operator Also for some unknown reason my wife does not think the wood stove in Den (even though it seems to be glowing hot enough) is not suitable for PB casting either. Projectile production will have to wait but thanks to warmer under lube sizer one can stay busy. Best of New Year to all.
RobertB