Spent a good portion of Saturday casting...

[Dumpstick]

358-156, a gas-checked 38/357 bullet. Will weigh 160-161 grains after checking/lubing.

And, 358-477. Straight range-lead, with about 1% tin added. A 150-ish grain , for full-power 38Spl, and mid-range 357. Laid out on a sheet of wax paper to dry, after initial coat tumble-lubing with Ben's Liquid Lube (BLL). I'll size after drying, then re-tumble. Ready to load after that. This is about 300, I cast up 13 pounds, roughly 600 bullets.

These old Ideal molds are both 2-cavity. After using Lee 6-cavs, and NOE 4-cav molds, the old 2-cav sure are slow. However, I don't shoot many of either of these bullets.

The 358156 is for full-power 357. I shoot very little of that anymore from the revolvers. SWMBO has a single-shot 357 carbine, I need to work up a load for it.

The 358477, well.... most of my 38Spl shooting is either a lead 125g RF (round Flat) or a lead 148g wadcutter.

Sometimes it's nice to shoot something different. I cast these just to have on hand when I get the itch.

 

[dlbleak]

Looks good Paul. I still use the 2 cav molds even though I have the Lee 6 cavs. Seems I can control the heat on the 2 cavs better.

 

[DRC458]

Look good! I don't do much casting anymore, since I don't shoot silhouettes or any other competition. Not familiar with Ben's Liquid Lube. You like it better than Lee's or Alox or Xlox? Or, is it any different?

 

[Dumpstick]

It's funny - on the 358156, I had to cut the sprue 3-count after it froze or I had to beat it with a stick. However, I then had to hold for a 4-count before opening the mold.

That -477 is somewhat rough inside, sticky drops. I need to get some Flitz after it. Or Comet, haven't decided which.

Still, I like the big Lee 6-cavs. Get 'em hot, run 'em hot. They like 750°+ lead.

Ben's Liquid Lube is a mixture of wax, Lee Alox, and Mineral Spirits. a modified 45-45-10 (Recluse Lube). I love the stuff. Lubes very quickly, dries in just an hour or so, remarkably economical.

If you are interested, I'll start a thread about BLL and 45-45-10.

 

[DRC458]

The 45-45-10 lube I've heard of. Matter of fact, I think I've made some once upon a time. I have all kinds of raw materials laying around for various homemade lube concoctions. I experimented a bit when I kinda' got back into casting for a little while. I really should get back into it, but first I would need to come up with some more lead! It's getting harder and harder to find!

 

[SPDguns]

Lets go shooting. You bring the ammo!

 

[D. Hargrove]

Getting the itch to try this now.

 

[NikatKimber]

It’s been years since I’ve done any casting. I got an electric melter pot and some tin and a hard alloy to make some harder alloy bullets than I’ve done before.

I have molds for .358, .356, .452, and .429. Might have a couple others, but I haven’t used them. They are all on indefinite loan from my father-in-law.

 

[DRC458]

Getting the itch to try this now.

It comes with its own set of challenges ... and rewards ... and expenses.

 

[Dumpstick]

Getting the itch to try this now.

You need to get into casting.

You'll save ever so much money...