Want to start casting have some questions

[jmorris]

Yes, Magma makes very nice stuff. It is on the pricey side when just starting out.

That was my dilemma when I started casting bullets. I didn't want to do the usual work but also didn't want to drop down the cash for their setup.

My very first post here was about the machine I built by looking at photos of one of theirs.

http://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/magma-engineering-master-caster.158478/#post-1944416

It turns out to have been a good investment of time.

 

[joed]

You don't need expensive equipment to start. But I recommend a temperature gauge. When I started casting with the Lee I couldn't figure out why the bullets were so inconsistent. When I started watching the temp it became obvious that the pot could not hold a temp, it would vary by 200 degrees at times. If I were buying a melting pot and didn't want to buy a Magma I'd go with RCBS. All the RCBS products I've bought over the years have held up well.

Do you need a Magma lube sizer to start? No, any will do. It depends on how many bullets you want to make and how fast. I'm lazy and like to not waste my energy.

 

[joed]

jmorris, that is one heck of a setup.

 

[Swampman]

@ jmorris
If you don't mind me asking, what is your profession?

You design and fabricate some truly awesome equipment!

 

[Hondo 60]

I only size those that don't fit, like 45acp in a revolver.

I also use the tumble-lube method for all my boolits - not just tumble lube molds, but ALL 20 of my molds.

Just put 'em in a bowl, squirt a bit of lube & swish 'em around.
If this is of any interest, there's a great write-up on another forum dedicated to cast bullets http://castboolits.gunloads.com/
Search for : Tumble Lubing--Made Easy & Mess-Free

And a voice of warning - molten lead does not like water.
DO NOT GET WATER NEAR YOUR POT OF MOLTEN LEAD.
I've still got a bit of lead on the garage ceiling.

 

[Wildfire]

That is a very nice machine. I hope No one assumed I was saying they needed a Magma set up. Just what I did at the time. And yes, they are pricey. Near 12K for the big one.