Slowly getting closer to setting my reloading stuff back up (possibly with a new press), and for some sadistic reason I've developed an interest in casting some of my own bullets. Any basic guidelines on decent furnaces, molds, etc? What is junk and should be avoided? Helpful hints? I know this is kind of a niche thing, so I wanted to ask those of you who do to throw out some general advice on equipment and techniques. Thanks.
These 2 sites will answer any possible question one could dream up on this subject.
http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/
http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/
http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/
http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/
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Lyman's C ast Bullet handbook is pretty much the definitive text on the subject. But, If you can't find the answer at one of the links Shadowrider posted it probably doesn't exist.
I started casting my own about 5 or 6 years ago for .357/38 spl. I started with used RCBS molds that I found at a pawn shop. I bought a Lee sizer and used the LLA method to lube and size. After a few hundred boolits and spending a lot of time on the cast boolits forum I started casting for more calibers. I cast for .357/38, 9mm, .30cal rifle, .44, 45 acp & colt, & 45/70. I have at least 3 different style of boolits for each, some calibers I have more. I use the Lee 4/20 bottom pour drip o-matic. I've tried the ladle pour & just don't have the knack for it. I have mostly Lee moulds, mainly because they're light and with a little work they can be made to give good boolits. I have RCBS, Lyman, & Lee moulds and I like all 3 brands, I favor the Lee because it's cheaper, and the aluminum don't rust. It takes a little more heat to give good boolits and they don't hold heat like the iron moulds do, but I feel they're a good product. The only bad thing I've run into is the availability of lead. I used to be able to buy wheel weights for $20.00 for a 5 gallon bucket. Those days are gone around here.
I cast, on occasion 9mm with lee molds... but given mitch's prices, Ive just started buying from him... I'll save my lead for when I'm poor and let him do the work, for 61ish per thousand you can't go wrong... that said, when I do cast it's a 125 gr lee RN tumble lube... I thought I was getting leading but as it turns out it was normal... I used lead pipe with some monotype I bought off of ebay mixed in a 5/1 ratio.
I was going to ask about the Lee "tumble lube" stuff, as looking at Midway's catalog, they look to be the only ones who do that. Says they typically don't have to be sized....apparently it works OK?
I cast because all the equipment for casting is on loan to me from my f-i-l, so I didn't have the startup cost.
The molds I've used were both Lee, a 2 cavity 230gr .452 RN, and a 6 cavity 158gr .358 SWC. They take a while to get completely warmed up and give good bullets, but nothing bad.
So far I've just been 're-casting' as in, I melt down cast lead bullets I dug out of the backstop on my property and re-cast them.
I use a coleman 2 burner stove for heat, use a small lead pot and a dipper. Takes some practice, but not rocket science to get usable results. I'm by no means an expert. I've read on both sites above and learned a good deal.
The molds I've used were both Lee, a 2 cavity 230gr .452 RN, and a 6 cavity 158gr .358 SWC. They take a while to get completely warmed up and give good bullets, but nothing bad.
So far I've just been 're-casting' as in, I melt down cast lead bullets I dug out of the backstop on my property and re-cast them.
I use a coleman 2 burner stove for heat, use a small lead pot and a dipper. Takes some practice, but not rocket science to get usable results. I'm by no means an expert. I've read on both sites above and learned a good deal.
My casting sessions are my relax time. I cast for .223, .270, .355, .357, .40, .41, .45
Keeps me in cheap bullets. I am down to my last 500 lbs of melted wheel weights. With 6 more 5 gallon buckets on the way.
Keeps me in cheap bullets. I am down to my last 500 lbs of melted wheel weights. With 6 more 5 gallon buckets on the way.
My casting sessions are my relax time. I cast for .223, .270, .355, .357, .40, .41, .45
Keeps me in cheap bullets. I am down to my last 500 lbs of melted wheel weights. With 6 more 5 gallon buckets on the way.
Where are you guys getting those? I figured they'd be hard to come by these days...
