johnjohn
Member
I'm with the folks who started casting within a few days after starting to reloading. A little over 20+ yrs. ago
I started casting only a few weeks after I started reloading, 10 years ago. I enjoy doing both, and the history of both. It adds so much more depth to my love of firearms. Saving money on my bullets is a major benefit as well. The self sufficiency aspect is a factor as well, and it's fun!
Make sure to check your expander options. The rcbs cowboy dies do a great job, and the lyman m die is infamous. The noe expanders were shown to me and I'm on the wagon because they were available. The universal expander is on AmazonI have never shot cast boolits, I have only reloaded pistol production bullets from Hornady, and others, usually FMJ HP. I just purchased 200 cast boolits from Graf's I think it was and have yet to reload with them. I am going to do a little schooling learning on this new boolit before actually using them, but i'm looking forward to it.
Keith
96-2-2 was my last 20 pounds. No issues with hardness or fill out so far. Before that I used 98-2, the 2 being tin.Great timing for this thread. I have never cast a boolit but wanted to start.
Yesterday a 6 cavity .451 cast showed up. I ordered it so long ago I forgot that I had.
So what lead am I looking for? 90-6-4, 92-6-2, et al.
Subsonic, 230g 45 Auto.
Wanted .451 because I plan to powder coat.
Thanks, was also wondering what smelter I should be looking for.96-2-2 was my last 20 pounds. No issues with hardness or fill out so far. Before that I used 98-2, the 2 being tin.
I'm with the folks who started casting within a few days after starting to reloading. A little over 20+ yrs. ago
If your a scavenger and even if your not a way to test hardness is important. I use the lee tester because of the article done by the Los Angeles shooters club. A bhn of 8 for medium power 45acp loads worked great in my kimber. It's a low pressure round so flat bases and PC will get it done.Great timing for this thread. I have never cast a boolit but wanted to start.
Yesterday a 6 cavity .451 cast showed up. I ordered it so long ago I forgot that I had.
So what lead am I looking for? 90-6-4, 92-6-2, et al.
Subsonic, 230g 45 Auto.
Wanted .451 because I plan to powder coat.
What's your beef with the M Die?...the lyman m die is infamous...
I consider PC part of the process but I'm new school in this game.90% of the lead I shoot is swaged, not cast.
And I basically only shoot cast if it’s coated.
Has notoriety, is well known. Maybe just a bad word choice.Been casting 30+ years for both rifle and pistol.
What's your beef with the M Die?
They've always been great for me.
I use Lino type lead, use a lighter to soot up your molds, and make sure they are hot mate, I shoot Hornady dry lube in a mist when I start good to go for the session, if Lee dies let them cool every batch of ten. I quench my hot bullets into a bucket of cool water with a towel in the bottom. Stay ventilated, AND NEVER PUT WET LEAD BACK INTO THE POT...Don’t ask how I know this...good luck mate stay safe, if a cast doesn’t work out, you get a redo..Great timing for this thread. I have never cast a boolit but wanted to start.
Yesterday a 6 cavity .451 cast showed up. I ordered it so long ago I forgot that I had.
So what lead am I looking for? 90-6-4, 92-6-2, et al.
Subsonic, 230g 45 Auto.
Wanted .451 because I plan to powder coat.