savagelover
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- Feb 7, 2012
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- 593
I cast a bunch of 125 gr and 158 gr this morning before it got to hot. Both 38/357 bullets. I'm going to powder coat the 125,s. Probably pan lube the others. Happy July 4th.
What did you cast up today
- Thread starter savagelover
- Start date
tightgroup tiger
Member
I think my casting days are over. Just can't get decent lead anymore to make it worth while and too many companies are making good quality bullets at a fair price for me to take the time and cast bullets.
I still have some lead but I think I will just keep it on the chance I get another muzzle loader. Then I may cast some for it.
You guys that are still casting, my hats off to you, and carry on.
I still have some lead but I think I will just keep it on the chance I get another muzzle loader. Then I may cast some for it.
You guys that are still casting, my hats off to you, and carry on.
LaneP
Member
My last run was last weekend. Cast a bunch of TC style maxiballs from my brand spanking new .504" Arsenal bullet mold. Though advertised as 365gr, these are dropping right at about 375gr in pure lead and right at advertised diameter. At some point these will get run through my Lyman Pedersoli Great Plains Hunter .50. This guy makes some top flight, very high quality but reasonably priced molds.
Jonny2guns
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- Nov 28, 2020
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- 678
Those look great, hopefully they shoot as well as they look.
tightgroup tiger
Member
Boy, I'll say they look good. The edges are so nice and sharp. I may have to look up Arsenal molds and get one for my 50 cal Lyman Deerstalker.
My Lee molds don't make bullets that look like that. It may be my alloy though.
OP
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savagelover
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- Feb 7, 2012
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Yep,they sure are pretty bullets. Nice job of casting.
LaneP
Member
To get those big bullets to fill out I run the lead and mold up on the hot side using a top dip Lee 20lb furnace and an RCBS lead ladle. Until lead and mold hit peak temp (about 750 or a little more) it will throw wrinkles, but eventually they start coming out very nicely filled and will keep running that way as long as I keep up my cadence. I like to keep the ladle spout and mold in contact for about 2 seconds after the pour, then back off enough to allow a large sprue puddle.
Barbaroja
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- Apr 9, 2020
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- 1,645
Good looking casts, Arsenal is on my list of mold manufacturers to try. My last mold I got was a .432 265gn h&g#503 from MP molds, another outstanding company. Very interested in their hollowpoint molds but have yet to pick one up.
I just moved and need to get my casting gear set back up. I now have the .358 and .452 wadcutter molds that my grandad used for bullseye competition back in the day. So those will be my next adventure in casting. Can’t wait. Even have his old model 19 and colt gold cup to shoot them in. That will be exciting. So glad to be back around family after living on the west coast for so long.
lightman
Member
Arsenal and your other custom molds are another whole level from Lee. Not bashing Lee.
lightman
Member
I do most of my casting in the late Winter after hunting season closes or in the early Spring before it gets hot. I had a steel work bench in my former shop with enough electrical circuits behind it to run several melting pots and hot plates. I would have a couple of buddies over and we would spend several days casting the years supply of bullets.
I kept the steel table and have plans to add a few circuits in the garage at our new house. We're all hunting buddies, shooting buddies, drinking buddies, ect and cast a lot of bullets while visiting.
The last time that we got together I mentioned that we should have gotten together years ago and bought a casting machine!
I kept the steel table and have plans to add a few circuits in the garage at our new house. We're all hunting buddies, shooting buddies, drinking buddies, ect and cast a lot of bullets while visiting.
The last time that we got together I mentioned that we should have gotten together years ago and bought a casting machine!
stormshrike
Member
I cast about 200 175gr .401 with a new Lee 6 cav. I'm new to casting. I started with Lee 2 cavity for 230gr 45ACP and a few days ago I got some 6 cavs for 9mm, 40, and 45ACP 200gr LSWC. I'm learning the 6 cavs. I was getting a lot of wrinkly bullets until I did a better job of preheating the molds. This batch of 40 was cast with what seemed to be a well-preheated mold - dropped nice bullets almost right away.
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savagelover
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- Feb 7, 2012
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You'll get there. I still use one or two cavity molds. Works for me
lightman
Member
I've cast a lot of bullets with 2 cavity RCBS molds. I've never had a bad one. But I've slowly been moving to H&G 4 cavity molds in the last few years. I also have a few 4 cavity Accurate molds.
King Medallion
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- Jan 12, 2021
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- 353
Cast up some 255 swc 45's and some 350 rn for the 45/75.
Hooda Thunkit
Member
Almost out of fodder for the 32 revolvers, and need some for the 38/357 also.
Used an Ancient (for Lee anyway) 2 cavity TL314-90-SWC,
and a 6-cav TL358-158-2r
The 314-90 is prior to the lineup pins in the moulds, it has the old groove-and-tenon style lineup. It still throws good bullets, and they just fall out. It would seem slow, being a 2-cav, but I can run 3 or 4 cycles a minute with it. I get more tired of the movement than anything.
The 6-cav is just a joy. The bullets usually fall out, and I can really make cheap casual shooting bullets. It's my go-to for 38Spl and medium 357 Mag.
About 13 pounds all together.
That should keep me for awhile.
Used an Ancient (for Lee anyway) 2 cavity TL314-90-SWC,
and a 6-cav TL358-158-2r
The 314-90 is prior to the lineup pins in the moulds, it has the old groove-and-tenon style lineup. It still throws good bullets, and they just fall out. It would seem slow, being a 2-cav, but I can run 3 or 4 cycles a minute with it. I get more tired of the movement than anything.
The 6-cav is just a joy. The bullets usually fall out, and I can really make cheap casual shooting bullets. It's my go-to for 38Spl and medium 357 Mag.
About 13 pounds all together.
That should keep me for awhile.
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savagelover
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- Feb 7, 2012
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- 593
Way to hot to do anything today. Lol
Hooda Thunkit
Member
I have to get out to the barn early in the morning. Like 6am to set up and turn on the pot. Cast for an hour or so, finished by 8. 9 at the latest.
These 106 - 109 degree days are getting old.
It was 86 degrees this morning at 5 am.
WeekendReloader
Member
I try to do my casting in the spring when it is warn, but not hot out. A couple of sessions and I'm good for the year.
I won't cast in the summer when it is hot outside. The heat makes it miserable. This is supposed to be a fun hobby, right?
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savagelover
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- Feb 7, 2012
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I use a single cavity 358 157 mold. I'm lucky if I make 150 at a casting session, lol. But it's basically the only caliber I cast for 38/357..
Hooda Thunkit
Member
Oof. Single cav mould. I have only one, an old Lee 410-240-SWC.
I don't shoot the 41 Mag much, so it's not a real hindrance, but I couldn't abide a single cav mould for something I shoot a lot of.
The only reason I put up with the Lee double for the 32 revolvers is that it goes so very quickly.
Heat the range lead to 750, and pretty much as fast as I can move the mould I'm dropping 2 more bullets.
I think the singles are a relic from before bottom pour pots. They can be used with a spoon...
stormshrike
Member
Cast a few dozen 45ACPs, both 230gr RN and 200gr SWC. Powder coated with OD Green from Smoke @ Castboolits.
tightgroup tiger
Member
those are the same to molds I use the most except my .358-158 TL is a SWC. This 90 gr SWC 32 caliber bullets are some of my best shooting bullets I have in 32. Most accurate for some reason.
Oh, I had burnt my finger.
