brewer12345
Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2015
- Messages
- 2,753
I am tempted to take up casting my own bullets simply because I enjoy doing things really by hand. The vast majority of what I shoot is 38 special so that is what I would start with. I have a couple of hang ups that I need to sort out before I even think about this.
- I don't have anywhere indoors to cast. Is it feasible to do this outdoors? My backyard has a big concrete slab that would be a nice, fireproof place to do this.
- Any health and safety precautions I should be considering aside from safety glasses, gloves, appropriate clothing and good ventilation (outdoors)? Everyone freaks out about lead so I have to ask. Respirator?
- It looks like I need a furnace, dipper, molds, sizing dies, bullet lube, safety equipment and alloy. Anything else?
What am I missing? Thus far, I have been sticking with purchased bullets simply because they are convenient and I can buy what I like for about 8 cents a round delivered. If I buy alloy and don't scrounge (leery of wheelweights and scrapyard fodder), I could probably cast for 3 or 4 cents a bullet. I don't shoot enough cast bullets in a year to make it a huge deal (would be lucky to pay for the equipment outlay in the first year), so this is really just an extension of the hobby of loading/shooting/hunting.
- I don't have anywhere indoors to cast. Is it feasible to do this outdoors? My backyard has a big concrete slab that would be a nice, fireproof place to do this.
- Any health and safety precautions I should be considering aside from safety glasses, gloves, appropriate clothing and good ventilation (outdoors)? Everyone freaks out about lead so I have to ask. Respirator?
- It looks like I need a furnace, dipper, molds, sizing dies, bullet lube, safety equipment and alloy. Anything else?
What am I missing? Thus far, I have been sticking with purchased bullets simply because they are convenient and I can buy what I like for about 8 cents a round delivered. If I buy alloy and don't scrounge (leery of wheelweights and scrapyard fodder), I could probably cast for 3 or 4 cents a bullet. I don't shoot enough cast bullets in a year to make it a huge deal (would be lucky to pay for the equipment outlay in the first year), so this is really just an extension of the hobby of loading/shooting/hunting.