Splurge on Magma Casting Pot? Worth it? Possible deal

[IrishPsych]

Hi All, been years since I've been on. Think I was looking up 45 colt levers as why I joined. 

 

I want to get advice on IF I should purchase a Magma Master Pot and lead, maybe some molds? I haven't reloaded or casted in 5 years....thats when kiddo #1 came around and then #2 was 2.5 years behind. 

 

I enjoyed the hobby even smelting dirty lead into ingots. It was super fun. My time is much much more limited and spare time spent at the gym and woodworking stuff. 

 

That said, Magma Engineering is no longer. I've lusted after a Master Pot quickly after using my Lee 4-20 and refilling it all the time. I don't want to pass up a chance on getting one BUT also trying to decide if it's more of a fear in missing out type and will it I use it? Hard to answer. i

 

I have a new lee 4-20 I was going to make a double setup where the top 4-20 pours into the bottom, giving me more than just 20lb. Saw a photo years ago about the setup. 

 

Not sure how much the used Master Pot will be, guessing $600+ plus the seller want to unload some lead too. 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Try the Lee for a spell.

[Waimea]

600 would be a good deal.

Because they aren't making them anymore the master pots have retained their value and have actually gone up in price on the used market.

I saw a master caster for $1100 a couple weeks ago and almost bought it. I sold one a few years ago for $800.

 

How much did he want for the lead and was it clean?

The orifice on the bottom of the Magma pots are a beast to maintain. Always use clean lead.

[Springfield Slim SASS #24733]

My rule of thumb as far a larger pots goes: If you load on a propgressive press, and not a single stage, then get the larger pot. I love my 40 lb capacity Magma pot.

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409]

I have been using a Lee 4-20 for my .38 and 44wcf casting and a Saeco pot that is used only for casting dead soft lead for round balls and bullets for 45-70. These have been working well for me. I do not cast thousands of bullets at a session. But I do run multiple molds of each caliber when casting except the 45-70

 

 

Hochbauer

[Sedalia Dave]

Buy a PID controller for your Lee pot. I built one for mine and it’s eliminates all the shortcomings of the Lee pot. 
 

I put the sprue immediately back into the pot which helps  keep the pot full longer. I also add 1 to 2 pound Ingots to keep the pot full. With the PID controller the impact to the overall temp of the pot is minimal. 
 

 You can buy a PID controller from Hatch over on the Cast Boolets forum. 

[Tall John]

I did this 👆👆and found it to be a hassle.  I cast outside of my garage and have to use extension cords for power.  There is a limit to how much you can draw.  15 or 20amps.

UNLESS YOU CAN BUILD YOUR OWN PID controller, consider purchasing an RCBS PROMELT 2 or the Lyman bottom pour furnace.  A prefab PID controller will cost between $150-200 whereas both the Lyman and RCBS furnaces have them built in.  So one less box on your bench, one less plug, one less hassle.

 

use your current pot to preheat your lead and transfer it to the furnace as needed.

 

i can cast couple thousand bullets in an afternoon with this set up.  My small pot in the picture is an antique 10lb tipping pot.  I melt cold ingots there and transfer to my PROMELT furnace as needed which keeps that pot at temperature.

 

Ive seen pictures of the double pot set up but they were scary looking and take Unio space.  I can store all of my casting equipment on a four foot shelf when not in use.

 

 

I’ve since replaced the griddle with a small toaster oven to preheat my moulds.

[Sedalia Dave]

Hatch is selling his Type 1 controller for $130 shipped.

 

The Type 2 controller is $170 shipped.

 

I can't buy the parts  to build a copy of mine for $130.

 

 

Edited December 8, 2025 by Sedalia Dave

[Griff]

A PID contoller doesn't cure all the ills of a Lee 4-20 pot.  Nothing fixes the constant drip!  I use the Lyman Mag 25 with it's built in PID Controller, usually running 3 molds, and. I still have to wait for my added lead to come up to temp.    Buying bullets is way more convenient!

[Bailey Creek,5759]

I have a Magna Caster. Been using it for years.

Great caster. Can cast 100 in 15 minutes. 

They are made in Australia now. Can't imagine what shipping would be on a new one.

[Tall John]

On 12/9/2025 at 4:24 PM, Griff said:

A PID contoller doesn't cure all the ills of a Lee 4-20 pot.  Nothing fixes the constant drip!  I use the Lyman Mag 25 with it's built in PID Controller, usually running 3 molds, and. I still have to wait for my added lead to come up to temp.    Buying bullets is way more convenient!

I initially had the same issue with my pro melt.  That’s why I have a separate pot to pre-melt ingots.  When my main pot gets about 1/2 full I ladle from my tip up pot into my main pot and I keep casting.

 

i was able to get all the rangelead I wanted from my club’s indoor pistol range, otherwise if I had to buy my lead, I probably would have never gone down this rabbit hole.

 

 

Edited December 18, 2025 by Tall John