Any cast bullet shooters here

styles said:
I’m going to respectfully disagree with OP’s premise. This is my fav reloading forum specifically because there isn’t a separate casting section from the reloading. I have learned more about casting ‘incidentally’ reading threads that started out about a different topic or are ‘mixed’ in like this thread of yours. It was enjoyable to read and learn from; I’m both glad you started it and glad I didn’t miss it in another section.

I view casting as just another level of hand loading. It lowers the barriers to entry in knowledge and time to make your own ammunition with store bought bullets that are known to be good for caliber with recommended powders and makes the hobby more accessible to some of us or people living in apartments, etc. However, it’s normal to then get into experimenting/perfecting as you become more knowledgable. It’s kind of like starting with a lee loader, then a single stage, then a turret, then a progressive press…. I’ve even enjoyed reading about the Magna and other automated, commercial casting machines even though I will likely never own one or even see one.

The more experienced loaders and casters here aren’t off in the secret back room where us newbs aren’t privy to their passion and knowledge. The hobby and THR will take you as you are, but also take you where you want to go.

TL;DR: THR’s reloading forum is great as-is. Mods and site-staff shouldn’t mess with what is working.
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I like THR layout as is. So I agree with you. I learn a lot reading about reloading here. Many knowledgeable people here.

And as for casting, it is a whole nother rabbit hole. I joined castboolits.com back in early 2020. There is so much info and knowledge there that my mind gets boggled in reading.

Both forums complete the other in my opinion.
 
AJC1 said:
I was really curious how that 120 coated and sized to .358 would shoot in 38....
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Shortly after getting the 120 gr TC I tried it in .38spl.

Coated with HF red and sized to .358, I loaded it over 4.2 gr of 231 at 1.480" OAL.

Shot nice out of my Ruger Security Six.

Doesn't like it in this pic but it has a light roll crimp; not enough to break the coating.

vD4gYmB.jpg

Taper crimp would probably be better but I had no problems as it was.
 
savagelover said:
My 38s feed good. The 200 gr bullet is to long for the 357 case..
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Then load it in 38 brass if that is feasible. I have only found one 38 load that my 92 won't feed and that is full wad cutters. They just lay there on the lifter. I say feasible because I have no idea if a 200 gr. bullet will work in 38 brass. My gun is rather picky about what bullets it will feed in 357 brass.
 
doubleh said:
Then load it in 38 brass if that is feasible. I have only found one 38 load that my 92 won't feed and that is full wad cutters. They just lay there on the lifter. I say feasible because I have no idea if a 200 gr. bullet will work in 38 brass. My gun is rather picky about what bullets it will feed in 357 brass.
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If it's a 357 gun loading at 357 oal with 38 brass sometimes helps with crimp alignment. The 180 sil previously mentioned fits this senerio exactly. As a cartridge craftsman, I feel free to load either case to 1.590 to best fit the bullet crimp. All loads are labeled accordingly.
 
Since about 1957. I think I might have about 80 moulds, single, double, six cavity, some duplicates.
Five lubrisizers, plus a bunch of Lee push through dies
Now, I can do virtually all of my loading with a heavy handful of moulds. Lee Bator 22. Lyman 311291, 311316, 358156, 357446, 429421, 429215, 429244, 45-255KT, 452374, 457124, and maybe one for 9mm/380.
Soon, as my years are waning, I'm sorting and selling. Soon as I get my new knee and can do stairs again.
I think I have three electric pots but prefer casting on a gas hot plate outside.
 
Bfh_auto said:
The 180WFN I shot was from MBC. I'm not sure who's bullet they use.
NOE makes a 360-182 WFN. I went with the Lee 200 because my R92 is modded to accept the longer COAL.
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The 200 gr., are you loading to the crimp groove? My Ruger 77/357 will load a 170 gr. SWC with a OAL of 1.645" out of a magazine.
 
kcofohio said:
The 200 gr., are you loading to the crimp groove? My Ruger 77/357 will load a 170 gr. SWC with a OAL of 1.645" out of a magazine.
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I haven't run it in my Rossi yet. I seat to the band just past the crimp groove for my Blackhawk.
On 180s I was crimping in the lube groove just behind the crimp groove.
I think my Rossi is going to need a short overall length with the 200 because of the lifter system and the relatively large Metplat.
 
Bfh_auto said:
I haven't run it in my Rossi yet. I seat to the band just past the crimp groove for my Blackhawk.
On 180s I was crimping in the lube groove just behind the crimp groove.
I think my Rossi is going to need a short overall length with the 200 because of the lifter system and the relatively large Metplat.
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Okay, thank you! :)
 
BIZERKO666 said:
Been considering that option. I just don’t shoot my Super Redhawk as much as I use to.
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The big value is for new shooters that haven't bought all the gear to traditionally lube. If you have the lubrasizer, the die, and a pile of checks, no reason to change. I watched checks disappear for several months like everything else and was shocked. I never anticipated that being one of the things to dry up. With the much higher pressures in rifle I still believe they help prevent gas cutting. I have a 30 caliber mold with checks and one without. I will test and develop loads for both so I'm better prepared in the event it occurs again.
 
Y-T71 said:
Shortly after getting the 120 gr TC I tried it in .38spl.

Coated with HF red and sized to .358, I loaded it over 4.2 gr of 231 at 1.480" OAL.

Shot nice out of my Ruger Security Six.

Doesn't like it in this pic but it has a light roll crimp; not enough to break the coating.

View attachment 1124392

Taper crimp would probably be better but I had no problems as it was.
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How do you like the harbor freight powder?
I haven't tried it yet. Do you use the shake and bake method. I have been using Eastwood with good results. All I have is blue. Would like a different color..thanks.
 
savagelover said:
How do you like the harbor freight powder?
I haven't tried it yet. Do you use the shake and bake method. I have been using Eastwood with good results. All I have is blue. Would like a different color..thanks.
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I had good luck with HF red.
Black always required 2 coats.
Yellow was no good.
Never tried their white.

I started PC'ing when it was still a relatively new thing and HF powders were predominantly what was being used then.

Biggest "advantage" to HF was that it was inexpensive but, honestly, after trying Eastwoods blue and green, It was worth the extra $.

Yes, I've only ever used the shake and bake method in cheap, Dollar Store food storage containers (I like the screw on lid ones) with whatever airsoft BB's I snagged from my son's stash.

Everything I've read says the black BB's are the way to go but, IIRC, the ones I'm using were white.

Hope this helps!
 
savagelover said:
How do you like the harbor freight powder?
I haven't tried it yet. Do you use the shake and bake method. I have been using Eastwood with good results. All I have is blue. Would like a different color..thanks.
Click to expand...

@savagelover

Yesterday I got my Lee 158 gr mold heated up and had a quick session with it.

I also got my son to sit down and cast some.
His first time and he did great.

He watched his hand placement and asked good, intelligent questions (proud dad moment :thumbup:

I got em all coated today with Eastwood Medium Green (I also have their Dark Blue)

After I got done I started to think about your question asking if I liked HF powders.

Honestly, the more I thought about it (since you asked my opinion) I think you should stick with your Eastwood.

This powder really is so easy to work with and gives excellent results that I can't say HF is really worth it anymore.

13Pv0Ow.jpg

Irz1Kip.jpg
 
Y-T71 said:
@savagelover

Yesterday I got my Lee 158 gr mold heated up and had a quick session with it.

I also got my son to sit down and cast some.
His first time and he did great.

He watched his hand placement and asked good, intelligent questions (proud dad moment :thumbup:

I got em all coated today with Eastwood Medium Green (I also have their Dark Blue)

After I got done I started to think about your question asking if I liked HF powders.

Honestly, the more I thought about it (since you asked my opinion) I think you should stick with your Eastwood.

This powder really is so easy to work with and gives excellent results that I can't say HF is really worth it anymore.

View attachment 1125660

View attachment 1125661
Click to expand...
That green looks really good. I just got the dark green and it's a good powder as well.
 
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