Re: Casting own bullets. At which price for lead is buying ready made more economical

[the count]

i buy most of my bullets from missouri bullet. probably the best prices around for cast lead. with the THR discount i just paid $89 for 1000 230 grain 45 ACP delivered. I looked at the price of lead ingots with the right alloys for bullets and it seemed like the the cost (with S&H)would be just about the same, except that I would have to do all the messy work! all tire stores in my area that i spoke to do not sell the tire weights to individuals (have some kinda recycling deals going) .....

 

[floydster]

I am also crunching the numbers, I am just getting back into casting for my handguns, and I think a guy could still save a few bucks even by buying already made ingots and scrounging a little lead here and there to add to the pot.
It is almost impossible to get wheel weights around here also, the tire shops look at you like you are from outer space when you mention ww.
It's not like years ago
Floydster

 

[snuffy]

Count, you're right to say it wouldn't be worth your time IF you were to buy lead, then have it shipped. Oregon has now banned lead weights, so the manufactures have switched to either iron or zinc weights.

About the best deal out there for ready made alloy for bullets, is roto metal here;

http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/lyman2bulletmetal.htm

At $2.69 per pound, you'd have some good bullets with a known alloy, but you'd be better off buying from MB.

 

[MissouriBullet]

Actually Snuffy, our certified analysis 2/6/92 alloy is quite a bit less expensive that that. We're at $1.87/lb.

http://www.missouribullet.com/results.php?category=12

Just FWIW.

Brad

 

[RustyFN]

I don't know what would make it worth while for you. I get free wheel weights and they make great bullets. One example is if you bought alloy for $1 per pound it would cost you $33 to cast 1,000 230 grain bullets. If you can get free lead then the bullets are free. I'm not figuring in the cost of equipment. At $89 per 1,000 that comes out to $2.70 per pound of alloy.

 

[floydster]

I was thinking of trying some of the ingots from ww on Flea Bay for around a dollar a pound. Thoughts?
Thanks, Floydster

 

[243winxb]

Washington State bans lead Wheel Weights, Jan. 1, 2011 Others are trying to ban lead in all bullets. Military is working on a "green" bullet. Lead shot is baned from many types of shotgun hunting. I would not be buying new casting equiment if i didnt already have it.

 

[the count]

I was thinking of trying some of the ingots from ww on Flea Bay for around a dollar a pound. Thoughts?
Thanks, Floydster

yep, just saw that also. wonder if that lead can be used as is, if yes, my initial calculation comes up with a 50% saving compared to buying ready made. i can see how that might work for some that have extra time on their hands and like the hobby aspect. the shooting and reloading already has most of my spare time taken care of

 

[amlevin]

If you are thinking of starting to cast, remember all the "extra's" that have to be purchased. "Furnace" to melt, ladle, ingot molds, thermometer, BH Tester, Luber/Sizer with dies, Lube, Molds, Mold Handles, and several other items you will think of after you start. Lots of "expense" that has to be amortized over the number of bullets you intend on casting.

Once invested in the equipment then you have to allow for lead alloy and lube as an ongoing expense.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Wheel weights are an impossibility for me too. Most of my lead comes from fellows online. I've generally been able to find $1/pound smelted WW in ingots, 60-70 pounds in a fixed-price USPS box. None of it has been quite as nice as foundry stuff, but all of it has been adequate. I haven't yet bought any from Ebay, but assume I will need to at some point. The Missouribullet alloy is starting to sound pretty attractive.

 

[the count]

Wheel weights are an impossibility for me too. Most of my lead comes from fellows online. I've generally been able to find $1/pound smelted WW in ingots, 60-70 pounds in a fixed-price USPS box. None of it has been quite as nice as foundry stuff, but all of it has been adequate. I haven't yet bought any from Ebay, but assume I will need to at some point. The Missouribullet alloy is starting to sound pretty attractive.

like amlevin says... there is a bunch of equipment that needs to be purchased. not that money is the issue (around $160 or so) but it seems to be somewhat time consuming to come up with nice bullets. plus my workbench is already crowded as it is! as long as missouri bullets does not increase their prices I think will stay with them (OK, MB how about some free bullets for this great advertising by me ....)

 

[snuffy]

Actually Snuffy, our certified analysis 2/6/92 alloy is quite a bit less expensive that that. We're at $1.87/lb.

Wow Brad, ya made me learn something this early in the day! That's a darn good price. I was actually shocked at the price on roto metals when I went there for the link.

BTW that lino I bought was the real mc-coy. Let us know if you get any more like it!

Floyd, ebay is a crap shoot as to whether you're getting what's advertised. People have been burned by some that advertised zinc contaminated lead that was unusable for bullets casting.

There was one guy that had some linotype for sale. He had it cut into chunks that would fit in a large flat-rate box, but it was cast in the original linotype machine molds. I got some from him, it was the real stuff, hard as a loan sharks heart!

Here's another one doing the same thing;

http://cgi.ebay.com/LINOTYPE-LEAD-reloading-etc-50-lbs-plus-/190485532134?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c59d28de6

 

[MissouriBullet]

BTW that lino I bought was the real mc-coy. Let us know if you get any more like it!

I have over 3,000 lbs. of it left, Snuffy. When will you be coming for the pallets?

Brad

 

[floydster]

Well. I ordered some ww ingots from Flea Bay, see what they are like, I think if they are not honest they won't be selling long, and I would get back at them if they are not telling the truth----I have a way!!!

 

[mcdonl]

Well, I have a free supply of WW's. but to be honest... I could care less about the cost savings. I like casting. If I wanted to save money I would give up shooting and reloading

 

[Jech]

Count, you're right to say it wouldn't be worth your time IF you were to buy lead, then have it shipped. Oregon has now banned lead weights, so the manufactures have switched to either iron or zinc weights.

As an OR resident and native, I try to stay abreast of the political scene in regards to the Second Amendment. I was aware of CA and WA bans but hadn't heard a whisper about OR legislation. I would greatly appreciate it if you could post a link to your source.

This is where I periodically check for WW bans updates.

~ Jech

 

[Funshooter45]

i buy most of my bullets from missouri bullet. probably the best prices around for cast lead. with the THR discount i just paid $89 for 1000 230 grain 45 ACP delivered.

What is this discount you speak of kemosabe?