Inspired to try cast bullets

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KegCommando

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Reading all your guys posts have gotten me to venture out of my safety zone.

I've never been daring enough to try cast bullets before because I didn't know where to turn if something wasn't answered in my book.

But with you guys, I feel like I'm a armed with a powerful support network.

At the risk of inundating you guys with tons of boring questions, do you guys think I should dive right in and start casting, or just buy some pre-made cast to see how it goes?
 
I buy all of my cast bullets online from proven quality manufactures at very good prices.
Personally, with my work schedule I don't have the time or inclination to cast my own which is an in depth process, not to mention buying expensive molds and all that goes with it.
 
do you guys think I should dive right in and start casting
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I did, although I am not at the present time, but I loaded store bought cast bullets for a couple of years before I got the hankering to cast my own. It's fun, work, but fun, and gives great satisfaction when those little jewels turn out real nice, not to mention cheaper.
 
I presently load Lead Cast bullets for 9mm, 40 S&W, 45ACP, 38 SPCL, 30/30 win and 375 Win (Big Bore lever gun).

I bought all my cast bullets for years as well. it wasn't until the recent lead prices made me want to scream. I finally decided it was time to give it a try and I gotta say... Playing with molten lead is really fun. Plus, my best friend is the senior technician at a Goodyear and another good friend is a manager at another Goodyear so I get alot of wheel weights - FREE!!!!!. They even started bringing me the brand new stuff still in boxes as well. I have a nice little stash and it grows every week.:D

I make boolits for my 38 spcl cowboy loads (125LRNFP and 158 LFP), 30/30 Win(150 LFP and 170 LFP) for light plinkers, and 375 Winchester plinkers (250 LFP and 300 LFP) as well. I push all these down range with Trail Boss. very fun stuff.

I still haven't cast for 9mm, 40 S&W, or 45ACP yet but I am thinking about it.

Have fun.

LGB
 
my best friend is the senior technician at a Goodyear and another good friend is a manager at another Goodyear so I get a lot of wheel weights - FREE!!!!!.
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You lucky dog you. It's nice to have friends in key places. :D
 
Shouold you cast????
Without knowing more about you that is difficult to say. If you are only loading a few hundred per year in each of several cartridges, then probably not.

If you are shooting several hundred per month, each month, in a variety of cartridges, then, probably yes, you should.

Go to the Cast Boolit Forum, do some searches to start your education, then ask some more questions.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

Good Shooting!
 
Me Too! But... check this website!

I'm just on the verge of starting casting, myself, after buying somebody else's cast bullets (most good, some bad) for 30+ years.

I, too, have come to the point where I can't take the fluctuation in prices of Gas and Cast Bullets. I can't do ANYTHING about gas prices but I can control part of my shooting destiny by casting my own:scrutiny:. I know, metals prices are falling again, but who knows when the new President will start wanting you to register your lead?:what:

You will find a LOT of really helpful guys at castboolits.gunloads.com - not at all to knock THR - but these guys are all about cast lead. Have a look, you will like these guys, too, if you're happy with THR.
 
I've been casting for a bit now, and can do a few good loads. I don't get to shoot as much as I would like, so I only do a few long casting sessions in the winter. Need to get some more done for the AK, finally got the gas checks.
 
I used to cast bullets for .38-Spl, .45 Auto, .45 Colt, and the excellent #311291 (170-gr RN, gas check) for .303 and 7.7 Jap (.311 unsized) and .30-30 and .30-06 (sized to .308). I quit after casting a lot of bullets for the rifles (still have a few hundred), and commercial cast bullets for pistol became more available in 500 bulk. I still have my casting equipment in storage.

However, after participating in a couple of semi-formal debates with local anti-gun groups, I expect ammunition to get rather expensive due to sharply increased taxation next year.:uhoh: Therefore I am preparing to get back into casting if and when the economics warrant.

Call it insurance for future inexpensive reloading...;)
 
Been casting for about 10 years and gotta say, I love it. Cast 38, 44 and 45.

For the rifle, I cast 35 Rem, 375 and 30wcf.

But mainly handgun bullets.

I was lucky cuz when my pop passed, he left me an old RCBS Lubrasizer that was plumb wore out. I sent it back to RCBS to be refurbished and they sent me a spanky new one. A friend had access to linotype lead and gave me about 250 lbs, which I mixed with wheel weights. Have about 1200lbs in the bucket, melted, cleaned and cast into ingots waiting to be cast into bullets.

Bought a Lyman bottom pour 20lb pot and 10lb pot and I was ready to go. Wife comes out and helps quite a bit.

Save money? You bet.

However, there is a feller down in Fl. that I do on occasion get some bullets from cuz his prices are so good and he is a friend.
 
do you guys think I should dive right in and start casting, or just buy some pre-made cast to see how it goes
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I started casting because I was unable to locally purchase good 58 caliber minie balls. I was also unable to find local lead 30 and 303 caliber bullets. So I cast those.

If you have an lot of time on your hands, casting is for you. I think I have at least an hour of work per 60 bullets.

I have gone to the scrap yard, purchased pure lead scrap. That is an afternoon's work. This was part of the haul, had to cut this with an axe. Smelted the stuff into ingots. That was a day's work.

ReducedDSCN7698Scraplead.jpg

The pure lead ingots I could use for blackpowder, but for rifle bullets I had to make a lyman #2 alloy. Luckily a friend who got out of casting (because of the time it took) gave me linotype ingots. Which had to be melted with pure lead ingots.

ReducedMeltingleadandlynotypeFSCN80.jpg

ReducedGoodviewofleadfilledladelpor.jpg

It took a whole day of work to cast bullets. And they you have to size and lubricate the things. This Lyman 450 was given to me by my friend, that cut costs, but this thing is not a progressive. You size/lube one bullet at a time.

ReducedLyman450with308bulletreadyto.gif

Casting takes a lot of time. I cannot support my pistol habit, time wise, with self cast bullets. I buy cast pistol bullets when I can.
 
Hey, SlamFire, you have one of those old Lyman molds with the backward's "N"'s. I'll bet the guy responsible for that took a ribbing for years:) (I've got one, too.)

For the OP, you might want to look at: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2 Lots of knowledgeable and friendly folks on that forum.

It wouldn't hurt to start with store bought lead bullets just to see how they shoot in your particular weapon(s). You can load and shoot them while you're learning about the wonderful world of cast. Playing with fire and molten metal (insert Tim "The Toolman" Taylor grunt here.)

Cloudpeak
 
You can buy some bulk lead bullets...check your next gun show...to prove to yourself how well they shoot, and help you decide whether you want to cast 'em yourself. Cast bullet loads are low velocity, and don't beat you up as much as the high velocity jacketed bullets do, so it's easy to start off new shooters.

I found casting to be both interesting and fun...you learn a lot...and you get a feeling of pride from shooting ammunition you've mainly made yourself. You can also cast other items besides bullets.

There's the added bonus that lead won't wear your barrel as jacketed bullets eventually do.
 
Hey, SlamFire, you have one of those old Lyman molds with the backward's "N"'s. I'll bet the guy responsible for that took a ribbing for years (I've got one, too.)
Click to expand...

My God, you are right! The N is backward. Never noticed it.

How old is that mold?, it was given to me with the Lyman 450.
 
Hi Keg!

You will be well served if you jump right in and start shooting cast bullets! They are very enjoyable and reasonable in cost to shoot. Adhere to the reloading data and great times at the range will be realized!

Good shooting!
 
Try it. You wont regret it.....

The cast loads are mild on recoil and cheap as dirt. Using those, you can afford to go to the range and shoot 50 or a 100 rounds of centerfire at a sitting without going broke. And if you load them right they are just as accurate as the jackets are within a sensible range. Invest in some commercial ones and give it a try. If you like them, get a pot and a mold and have a ball. It's a lot easier to practice when it isn't costing you a fortune to do it.
 
Thanks gang!

I've decided to take the safer route and purchase some and if all goes well then get some molds.
 
Hi lgbloader!

I'll give your order the most thorough attention to detail (well actually I do that with every order to ensure that the members are receiving the utmost in quality and potential for accuracy). I sure do greatly appreciate the plug lgbloader! It's nice to know that there are shooters that demand quality and accuracy!
 
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