Trimming lead balls

[Part451]

Just cast my first batch of .50 cal lead balls. Do you have any tips on trimming / smoothing them off?

[tacfoley]

If you mean removing the sprue, then I don't bother. Life really is too short to set about removing little bits of lead from a couple of hundred ball.

Do what has been done historically - load them sprue up in the chamber.

Like Wyatt Earp, and all the others used to...

tac

[HW777]

Remove as much as you can while still hot, then tap down what remains with a light hammer.

[loiner1965]

as suggested or nail clippers if you have too

[tacfoley]

..or get a mould that produces very little in the way of sprue - Rapine comes to mind.

tac

[acmsarh]

Or a lee mould that leaves no sprue.

[Part451]

I'll try out side cutters later. Thanks for all the comments.

[acmsarh]

Try to find some flush cut sidecutter's that will leave a really good cut.

[hermun]

sprue what sprue

use Lee moulds

two balls no sprue

Simples

[Part451]

sprue what sprue

use Lee moulds

two balls no sprue

Simples

Don't have a Lee mold or did you you mean that green stuff that grows on old bread :-)

[collis]

Hi I find this is easy if you use curved toenail clippers that are like a set of pliers