Master caster

[Engineer1911]

If you view bullet casting with your perfectionist eye, you will have very few "loadable" bullets. I use a 4- or 6-cavity bullet molds. When I size and lube, perfect bullets are in one tray, all the others are range bullets. About 25% + end up in the match box. The targets shot at the range are frequently better than the 'match' targets shot for score.

Rule #1: Enjoy what you are doing, alertness for safety is a must, but get bullets cast.

 

[AJC1]

If you view bullet casting with your perfectionist eye, you will have very few "loadable" bullets. I use a 4- or 6-cavity bullet molds. When I size and lube, perfect bullets are in one tray, all the others are range bullets. About 25% + end up in the match box. The targets shot at the range are frequently better than the 'match' targets shot for score.

Rule #1: Enjoy what you are doing, alertness for safety is a must, but get bullets cast.

I find the mold has a huge impact on the number of quality bullets I make. My six cavity Lee mold does as you describe. My NOE two cavity brass mold is a beast and makes piles of perfect bullets. My current opinion is that the brass mold is much more thermally stable and the volume of brass to cavity size is multiple times that of my Lee 6 cavity. The thermal charteristiscs of the brass doesn't seem to hurt either. I would like to get more time with a steel mold for more observations with it but the one I have is a 38-180 which is very low volume in comparison to others I use.

 

[WeekendReloader]

I find the mold has a huge impact on the number of quality bullets I make. My six cavity Lee mold does as you describe. My NOE two cavity brass mold is a beast and makes piles of perfect bullets. My current opinion is that the brass mold is much more thermally stable and the volume of brass to cavity size is multiple times that of my Lee 6 cavity. The thermal charteristiscs of the brass doesn't seem to hurt either. I would like to get more time with a steel mold for more observations with it but the one I have is a 38-180 which is very low volume in comparison to others I use.

My LEE 6-cavity 9mm molds are great. Once everything is up to temperature, they rain bullets.
My 2-cavity lee 30 cal rifle molds are what I'm having trouble with. I think I need to pick up the pace to keep them hot. I did get enough passable bullets to be able to load some test rounds. When I setup to cast again I'll have to play a little more to get more consistent.

 

[AJC1]

My LEE 6-cavity 9mm molds are great. Once everything is up to temperature, they rain bullets.
My 2-cavity lee 30 cal rifle molds are what I'm having trouble with. I think I need to pick up the pace to keep them hot. I did get enough passable bullets to be able to load some test rounds. When I setup to cast again I'll have to play a little more to get more consistent.

There is a big quality difference between Lee 2 and 6 cavity molds. Both of my Lee molds are 45 caliber and my brass and steel are 35 caliber.

 

[reddog81]

My LEE 6-cavity 9mm molds are great. Once everything is up to temperature, they rain bullets.
My 2-cavity lee 30 cal rifle molds are what I'm having trouble with. I think I need to pick up the pace to keep them hot. I did get enough passable bullets to be able to load some test rounds. When I setup to cast again I'll have to play a little more to get more consistent.

Depending on the size of the bullet, the 30 cal molds can take some time to heat up. However I have the 230 grain mold meant for 300 BLK and the biggest problem I have with it is trying to make sure it doesn't overheat. The first time I used it I had a bunch of rejects because the bullets were too hot when dropped and they bent from the couple inch drop to my work surface. I hadn't ever had that happen before so it wasn't something I was watching for.

 

[AJC1]

Depending on the size of the bullet, the 30 cal molds can take some time to heat up. However I have the 230 grain mold meant for 300 BLK and the biggest problem I have with it is trying to make sure it doesn't overheat. The first time I used it I had a bunch of rejects because the bullets were too hot when dropped and they bent from the couple inch drop to my work surface. I hadn't ever had that happen before so it wasn't something I was watching for.

I've never had a frosted bullet... I'm assuming that has something to do with the total mold mass to cavity size. I also don't crank my pot up very high because the hotter I cast the slower it is and the smaller bullets I get, neither of which I want.

 

[WeekendReloader]

There is a big quality difference between Lee 2 and 6 cavity molds.

People keep saying that there is a quality difference between the 2 and the 6 cavity. I don't see it. All my LEE molds are good.

 

[reddog81]

People keep saying that there is a quality difference between the 2 and the 6 cavity. I don't see it. All my LEE molds are good.

Based solely upon complaints I've read online, I think the problems with the 2 cavity molds used to be more common then it is today. I could be wrong, but it seems like the newer molds tend to have less problems.

I have variety of the 2 and 6 cavity molds and don't have problems with any of them. I prefer the 6 cavity molds because the casting goes faster.

 

[AJC1]

Based solely upon complaints I've read online, I think the problems with the 2 cavity molds used to be more common then it is today. I could be wrong, but it seems like the newer molds tend to have less problems.

I have variety of the 2 and 6 cavity molds and don't have problems with any of them. I prefer the 6 cavity molds because the casting goes faster.

The newer pin style alignment molds are better than their previous generation. My hard spot for the two cavity is based on that older mold.

 

[WeekendReloader]

The newer pin style alignment molds are better than their previous generation. My hard spot for the two cavity is based on that older mold.

All my molds have the newer pin style alignment. The mold halves close and align perfectly.

 

[gwpercle]

I am very interested in books from Keith but haven't read one yet... I do agree that Bhn 12 bullets are gooder in 357. I run straight rmr lead in 38 and 45.

You need to get that $10 re-print and read it . EK cast all his Magnum revolver bullets from a simple alloy of 1 part Tin and 16 parts lead (1/16) which has a bhn of 11 and all had plain bases .
Bullet fit is more important than hardness . I bought the book to learn about correct bullet fit/size and what tin/lead alloy could be used ... with leadwheel weights going out of fashion and my free unlimited source retiring from the tire business I needed to learn anothe way .
He used three alloy's - 1/20 (bhn 10) , 1/16 (bhn 11) and 1/10 (bhn 11.5) .
"Sixgun Cartridges & Loads " 1936 (this is a book on reloading and casting bullets)
...this is not the book "Sixguns"
Gary

 

[Engineer1911]

For added heat, use a handheld propane torch connect to a 20# tank, eventually even aluminum will glow red.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I was just a patio caster & made a lot of slingshot ammo along with a few good pistol/rifle round balls. It’s a good feeling to harvest an animal with home rolled ammo, just like hookin’ up a fish with a fly you tied. Very satisfying.
Haven’t poured any lead for a long time.

 

[thump_rrr]

I find it much easier to recycle bullets than to go in search of other places lead may be.

You must have the luxury of shooting on your own range I presume.

 

[AJC1]

I was just a patio caster & made a lot of slingshot ammo along with a few good pistol/rifle round balls. It’s a good feeling to harvest an animal with home rolled ammo, just like hookin’ up a fish with a fly you tied. Very satisfying.
Haven’t poured any lead for a long time.

I'm no fly tier but I have made a mess on a hook my son has caught fish with if that counts....

 

[J-Bar]

Master caster??

I’m striving for consistently adequate.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

"Only a mediocre man is alway at his best."

 

[J-Bar]

I am a retired veterinarian. One of my classmates had a framed needlepoint in his office; “My clients expect mediocrity and sometimes they get it.”

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I am a retired veterinarian. One of my classmates had a framed needlepoint in his office; “My clients expect mediocrity and sometimes they get it.”

I don’t want to be perfect. Look what happened to the last guy!
I ams what I ams and that’s all what I ams. Good enough for Popeye is good enough for me.

 

[jmorris]

You must have the luxury of shooting on your own range I presume.

You can take part in a number of games that shoot into berms. Everyone and their brother, wife and children pick up brass. Few of us hit the berms and after a rain the lead is little white dots, right on the surface of the berm.

but yes, I do also have my own bullet traps. There is a loss though, so, outside sources that are also free are always welcomed.