[poor man]

ok ive never poured my own lead bullets before and i was thinking about doing some for my 40cal. besides lead, a mold, and a smelter furnace what else do i need to put a bullet together?? i see some of the lead bullets online have some kind of ring around them and i seen some that had a copper cap on the bottom of them...... all i want to do is target shoot with it so what do i need??? thanks

[NeuseRvrRat]

you need to do some reading

www.castboolits.gunloads.com

[ReloaderFred]

I would suggest buying the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual. It explains just about everything you need to know to get started in casting.

For most .40 S&W loads, you won't need a gas check, and will be hard pressed to find a gas check mold in that caliber anyway. The dark ring you're referring to is probably the lube groove, which is where the lubrication for the bullet is. Without lube, the lead will coat your barrel, destroying accuracy and raising pressures.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[rcmodel]

You need a way to size & lube them.

That can be as simple as the Lee Tumble Lube and a Lee push through sizing die.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/447228/lee-bullet-lube-and-size-kit-401-diameter

Or as complex as a Lyman or RCBS Lubrasizer.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/172702/rcbs-lube-a-matic-2

You do not need gas check bullets for the .40 S&W.

If you use the Lee tumble lube you need a lee mold for tumble lube bullets.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/333143/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-tl401-175-swc-40-s-and-w-401-diameter-175-grain-tumble-lube-semi-wadcutter

If you use the RCBS or Lyman system, you need a bullet mold designed for grease bullet lube sticks.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/224761/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-401-175-tc-40-s-and-w-401-diameter-175-grain-truncated-cone

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/592924/lyman-2-cavity-bullet-mold-401638-40-s-and-w-10mm-auto-401-diameter-175-grain-truncated-bevel-base

rc

[poor man]

thanks for the links,

[GLOOB]

If you use the Lee tumble lube you need a lee mold for tumble lube bullets.
Quite a few people will disagree with this.