"frosted" cast bullets

[Bunk Stagnerg]

Keepers of Knowledge Hello!
A friend of mine saw something about “frosted” cast bullets. Knowing I cast my own and therefore am an “ex-spert “on casting bullets wanted to know what that meant.
Since I cast either pure lead or at most 1:30 lead tin that was not in my knowledge base. I never had it happen using aluminum molds either Lee for SASS rifle and revolver or Accurate molds to feed my Sharps percussion and Smith carbine.
I did smelt out some real old wheelweights  a year or so ago and some of them did not have the shiny look of my lead ingots just a kind of smooth crystalline look.
Answer from anyone out there? Just curious and add to my fund of knowledge.
Yr’ Obt’ Svt’
Bunk

[Coal Creek Griff]

I'm not sure if this is what you're after, but generally speaking, bullets cast at a higher than necessary temperature tend to take on a frosted appearance. I haven't heard hard evidence that frosted bullets cause problems (too many Frosted Flakes can lead to obesity, but that's a different issue), but generally I turn the heat down or pause to let the mold cool if I start seeing them.

CC Griff

[hp246]

X2 what CCG said.  Too much heat.  I've not had a problem shooting them for CAS.  Don't know if it would make any difference accuracy wise for Bullseye.

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[Niederlander]

I've had a lot of frosted bullets.  Never noticed any difference in accuracy.  If you use Lee Liquid Alox it seems to actually adhere better to frosted bullets.

[Delmonico]

Check with a scale, frosted bullets are often more uniform, with less flaws.   

[wildman1]

Just my opinion. Good if you are not using an aluminum mold. Means you are running your alloy a little hot.
wM1

[Bunk Stagnerg]

Thanks Guys.
Since I only cast plain lead or 1:30 no antimony mixes and keep the temp just above the melting point I was flummoxed on this. I appreciate the answer.
 Bunk

[wildman1]

Because the alloy is hot you have a better chance of not having voids or wrinkles in your bullets.
wM1

[Bunk Stagnerg]

about 700 on my Lyman thermometer gives me good square base bullets. With that aluminum mold only the first couple are rejects' Same with ball castings that aluminum mold gets to casting temp pronto.
Bunk

[Coffinmaker]

The real problem come to play, when something that's suppose to frosted isn't.  Like ... Cake.  I mean, ya can't fool me with Crab cake.  There's no frosting.  How can ya call it cake without frosting!!  Humpff.  Cake indeed.  Crab cake ain't cake .... no frosting 

Coffinmaker

Yes.  it's Monday and I'm BORED!!

[Drydock]

The real problem come to play, when something that's suppose to frosted isn't.  Like ... Cake.  I mean, ya can't fool me with Crab cake.  There's no frosting.  How can ya call it cake without frosting!!  Humpff.  Cake indeed.  Crab cake ain't cake .... no frosting 

Coffinmaker

Yes.  it's Monday and I'm BORED!!

True genius sees the absurdity in ordinary things.  You are to be commended sir!  Indeed, it is good, but it is not CAKE!  That which is cake by any other name does not taste as sweet . . .

[Bunk Stagnerg]

 Now let us understand that words have meaning and words that sound somewhat alike have an entirely different meaning.

it is "frosted" which is an appearance

"Frosting" is what is on a cake.
 
The latter is good to eat (yum yum)

the former is good to shoot (boom boom)
(especially with True Gun Powder)

OK has every one got this straigh?
.
I was not knowledgeable  on "frosted" now I am and I thank y'all very kindly.

My daughter will attest I am extremely knowledgeable on "frosting" especially on Coco Cola chocolate cake and need no further help.

Yr' (Some what over weight) Obt' Svt'

BUNK.

[Delmonico]

Frosting being common on cake is a relatively recent phenomenon, brought about by the invention of confectioners sugarafter the Civil War, frostings/icings before then involved boiling to make them work and were more of a hard glaze, no the butter (or similar substance) based soft frostings we know today.

Also cakes were heavier and tougher before cake flour (soft, low gluten)  was developed from newer strains of wheat late in the 19th century. 

[Coffinmaker]

Ummmmmmmm ...... OK

Coffinmaker

[wildman1]

Is that cake frosted or has it been frosted?
 I prefer large bore long range bullets to be like my cake. Frosted. 
wM1

[Drydock]

I'm hungry . . .

[Delmonico]

I'm hungry . . .

Does an apricot glaze on brownies count as frosting?

[pony express]

I'm hungry too. but no need for frosted cake, or Frosted Flakes, wife just put some bacon on the stove. Don't really care for frosting on a cake, it's main purpose as far as I'm concerned is to keep the cake from drying out. Especially store bought cakes, with the frosting 1/2 inch thick. When's that bacon gonna be done, I'm getting more hungry by the minute.

[Delmonico]

it's main purpose as far as I'm concerned is to keep the cake from drying out.

Yep, why it was developed, the old boiled ones are like wrapping it in plastic.  Was a good way to keep it fresh when shipping to Civil War soldiers.

[Yakima Red]

Not to be a part pooper, but I'll get back to the topic.

For a number of years we casted with medical lead containers. This lead was 90% with 10% antimony. Casting above 700 degrees caused them to look frosty, but they were not. Just handling them made them shiny again.

Made good cowboy bullets.