Metal casting method

A method for casting molten metal to form ingots, comprising substantially vertically positioning in a container a plurality of sheet metal pipes with their bottoms interconnected by a runner and with the pipes in horizontally interspaced relation so as to form spaces therebetween, said container forming a space surrounding all of the pipes and said runner, filling all of said spaces solely with refractory particles so that said pipes and runner are embedded therein, covering the tops of said pipes and said container, bottom-pouring molten metal via said runner into said pipes so as to substantially fill said pipes and runner, inverting said containers while said metal remains molten, and allowing said metal to solidify while said container remains inverted.