First bullet mold

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Good for you, I cast for three different calibers and it is satisfying to me to create something that I can put into something else I am creating and then have good results with the finished product.
 
I'm hoping the weather holds on and no rain tomorrow so I can melt and clean some more COWW and then try out this new mold on a maiden run from a complete novice! Really have no idea what to expect but I am going to enjoy myself even if all I do is make junk this first time.

I'm going to try and take pictures to document this exorcise and then I'll post them,
 
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This is my virgin effort and my makeshift work bench. Netted 80# of COWW in this attempt and the small pot worked much better than the skillet.

It's been raining for the past two days so nothing else has gotten done and tomorrow have follow-up Dr. visit and then another on Tuesday.
 
The best thing I did to make casting easy is get a cheap hot plate to warm up your mold before you start casting. Especially with small bullets like your 102 grainers, it makes a huge difference.
 
mstreddy said:
Nice work there.
But where are the boolits you speak of?

;)
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Ran out of time after I got all those COWW's melted and cleaned and it's a good thing I quit when I did because right after I got everything but away it started pouring rain. Now it's been raining all weekend. I have nothing to do most of the week ahead so as soon as I get some you folks can grade them for me!
 
Good luck!

Flux more often than you think is needed when casting and try to keep your melt temps consistent.

Do you intend to tumble lube w/Alox or powder coat?
 
For now I am going to try the tumble lube with the 50/50 Alox mix. Looking at getting a thermometer to assist.
 
Do you mean the 50% Alox, 50% Johnson's paste wax mix?

If so, unless you've already got the ingredients, you may want to just buy it pre mixed.
https://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4&zenid=02mik11mp1torecuoutju18312 (FYI, my understanding is that Xlox IS Alox, White Label just doesn't have rights to use the name).

If you've got the money to spare, go ahead and get the thermometer, but I doubt it'll make much difference in how well your .380 bullets shoot. You can always get one later if you decide you need it.
 
Swampman said:
Do you mean the 50% Alox, 50% Johnson's paste wax mix?

If you've got the money to spare, go ahead and get the thermometer, but I doubt it'll make much difference in how well your .380 bullets shoot. You can always get one later if you decide you need it.
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Yes that is what I meant. Didn't look far into that link, never heard of it before. Where are they located and what is their shipping terms?

As a new caster wouldn't a thermometer be beneficial in maintaining and even temperature instead of just guessing?
 
Be carefulll or you will get sucked into this sub hobby in a jiffy.:D Casting your own is a rewarding endeavor. Not mentioning the ability to reuse lead and make bullets when supplies are lacking. Looks like you are off to a good start. Good advice above as well.
 
How far sucked in I am learning is all relevant to the availability and cost of scrap or purchased lead. As I just reconfirmed the scrap dealers/recyclers will not sell lead to the public as it is considered a Hazardous material by the State of Wisconsin. All but one of the tire dealers I've talked to already have someone picking up their old wheel weights. Even a couple of the old car salvage yard will no longer allow you in back because of liability issues.
 
kmw1954 said:
How far sucked in I am learning is all relevant to the availability and cost of scrap or purchased lead. As I just reconfirmed the scrap dealers/recyclers will not sell lead to the public as it is considered a Hazardous material by the State of Wisconsin. All but one of the tire dealers I've talked to already have someone picking up their old wheel weights. Even a couple of the old car salvage yard will no longer allow you in back because of liability issues.
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Sounds like these guys just wanna keep the lead to themselves :D
 
I am lazy and just buy ingots. I usually pay up to 1.25 a pound for clean lead. That gives me about 3 cents a bullet, which is cheap enough I don't worry about it.
 
The OP might want o look at molds from NOE and Accurate more expensive than Lee but you won't have the problems that can run in Lee molds. I've been casting with an Accurate mold for my 45 auto and the bullets just fall out of the mold no smoking/ release agent. 5 cavity 200 gr truncated never realized you could cast that many bullets in such short order.
 
highlander 5 said:
The OP might want o look at molds from NOE and Accurate more expensive than Lee but you won't have the problems that can run in Lee molds. .
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Thanks for the advice and opinion.

Doing this on a limited scale and the one mold that I wanted I could only find from Lee. That is the 356-102-1R for casting small bullets for my 380's. I couldn't even find this bullet profile from any of the commercial casters. At this point I do not know what my next mold may be or even if there will be a next mold. Though if there is to be an upgrade it will most likely be to a better electric melting pot.
 
Lee molds are fine. Go ahead and use it and don't worry about upgrading. A bottom pour pot and a thermometer Will be far more helpful to you.
 
One of the things I learned yesterday with my very first attempt is that the Ladle and 2 cavity mold work very well together. The ladle held more than enough lead to fill out the small mold. I am more than happy with this setup and now all I need is more experience!
 
I still don't see any of these boolits you speak of...
:D

BTW, if you want some of the Lee alox, pm me your address I may have a tube or 2 that I'll send your way.
When I started casting I decided to powder coat, so the various tubes that came with the Lee push through sizing dies is sitting around.

I too have bought the processed lead from a few vendors on the CB site. I'm around the $1.25 mark per pound as well.
Yep, around 3 cents a bullet is quite alright.
 
mstreddy said:
I still don't see any of these boolits you speak of...
:D

BTW, if you want some of the Lee alox, pm me your address I may have a tube or 2 that I'll send your way.
When I started casting I decided to powder coat, so the various tubes that came with the Lee push through sizing dies is sitting around.

I too have bought the processed lead from a few vendors on the CB site. I'm around the $1.25 mark per pound as well.
Yep, around 3 cents a bullet is quite alright.
Click to expand...

Take a gander over to here; https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/first-mold-first-casts.856743/ and you will find pictures of the ones I cast yesterday.

Sure I will gladly take that Alox off you bench. PM coming.
 
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