Picks for kicks

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Thought I'd make a thread to post some pictures. Nothing fancy here.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/45Cast1_zps999b1a44.jpg
My latest Lee 228gr
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/200and255castbullets.jpg
Here's a side by side. Lee 200 next to a Lee 255 next to a Lee Keith that drops 260 for me.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/165grainGasChecked2.jpg
My first GC attempt. I tried some .45's but I couldn't push them through my Lee sizer. I ended up breaking my bench trying. Maybe a softer alloy would be easier?
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/125cast1.jpg
This is my favorite bullet. The little Lee bullet drops around 130 and is very accurate in all my .357's.

[avogunner]

Good job Steve! The Lee 228-1R was my very first mold (around 1986-87) and I've cast/loaded thousands of them. Come to think of it, the 452-255-RF you show is the second mold I bought - again thousands cast/loaded/shot. Great photo's, thanks.
Semper Fi!

[cbrick]

Boolits look great.

For the 45's what alloy, what as cast dia., what size die?

Rick

[Bullshop]

That little Lee 125gn 357 is a favorite here too.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Boolits look great.

For the 45's what alloy, what as cast dia., what size die?


The exact alloy is a mystery but the bulk of what I melted down was what you guys call isotope lead. I work in a hospital and they wanted to get rid of these giant doughnuts of lead, so I took them off their hands. They are really hard and ring when you hit them. My Lee hardness tester I think said they were over 20 brinell hardness. That's the outside of the water quenched bullets.

The dia. as they drop I'm not sure, never measured, but I size both the .45 Auto and the Colt to .452 and it seems to work well. My Vaquero and Blackhawk I reamed the cylinders to .4525 because they were inaccurate and leaded badly from the factory. Some of the chambers were really tight. Now they work great. Ruger should learn how to set up their drill press when they make these :D

[swheeler]

SSS; take those gc 158 swc and load them with 15-16 gr of the H110 you were asking about, you'll like. Mine weigh 168 gr lubed and checked, mag primer 15.2 gr H110, couldn't ask for more. You might find annealing those gas checks before sizing helps.

[nvbirdman]

I don't know if it would be easier to put those gas checks on a boolit cast of softer alloy, but I'm sure it would be easier to put gas checks on a boolit that was designed for gas checks.

[swheeler]

I do believe that is the Lee 158gr SWC gas checked design???

[swheeler]

and a row of 357 mag behind it

[Super Sneaky Steve]

and a row of 357 mag behind it

Yes they are, Lee GC design. How do you anneal the GC? Thanks for the loading data. I'll try it out.

[swheeler]

Yes they are, Lee GC design. How do you anneal the GC? Thanks for the loading data. I'll try it out.

You can anneal them in a frying pan on the stove but they will form scale. Pour them in the pan, spread out single layer and turn on high, they will turn straw, brown then blue, then either dump them in water or just let them air cool, either way they are dead soft. I now use a 1x6"(or 3/4" can't remember right now) pipe nipple with two caps, fill it up with gas checks and add a small piece of toilet paper(stops the scale from forming) tighten both caps up with your hands and throw it in the wood stove, fish it out in the morning before you fire the stove up.

[cbrick]

Pipe in a wood stove, pretty slick. :mrgreen: I haven't heard that one before.

Rick

[swheeler]

Pipe in a wood stove, pretty slick. :mrgreen: I haven't heard that one before.

Rick

I stole it from you know where, CASTBOOLITS :) I think it was Felix that posted it 4-5-6-7-8 years ago?

[runfiverun]

bullshop does it too he went the extra mile and added a little presure relief valve.
airc he fishes it out after 15-20 minutes.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Lee320.jpg
Here's my second attempt at the mammoth killers. Lee mould, says 300 but these drop around 320 give or take a few. Using a softer alloy, air cooling instead of water dropping and cooking my GC's in the oven (and ruining my cookie sheet) just barely allowed me to push them through the Lee sizer without breaking my bench.

Anyone have any good loads for this boolit in a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley?

[Super Sneaky Steve]

First attempt at casting with 99.9% pure lead. They come sooooo shiny!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Wadcutter2_zps939f7fec.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/ex500/media/SSS/Wadcutter2_zps939f7fec.jpg.html)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Wadcutter1_zpsf70094a4.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/ex500/media/SSS/Wadcutter1_zpsf70094a4.jpg.html)

I'm hoping these will expand a bit.

Should go nicely with my new wheelie.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/627pic1_zps9fc33b24.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/ex500/media/SSS/627pic1_zps9fc33b24.jpg.html)

[Super Sneaky Steve]

As I said, first time working with pure lead. Something weird happened when pan lubing. The bullets turned brown and got smelly. Never happened before. Weird.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

A good friend of mine wants to hunt with a handgun and all he has is a light weight .45 auto wheel gun. Not the best option but I made these for his hunt. It's filled with a near max charge of Power Pistol. I used a Lee mould and they weigh a tad more than 207 grains.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/45LSWC2_zpsf09c94b9.jpg

[Super Sneaky Steve]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/308_loaded_zpsee4be89d.jpg

Here's my first attempt at rifle. These are .308 Win loaded with 5744. Three test batches with 22gr 25gr and 30gr.

Bullets are loaded to an OAL of 2.551 which give me a jump of exactly .020 which is what Hornady recommends for hunting rounds.

They were all lightly touched with a Lee Factory Crimp Die.

The powder cost me an arm and a leg and with shipping and haz mat fee works out to about $30/lb but even so I can make a box of 20 for $3.26. Still not bad hu?

[waco]

Let us know how they do. I've been thinking about picking up some 5744 myself to try in the .308

[dtknowles]

Some boollits for my .22 Hornet

95878

95879

[slim1836]

I never got 5477 to shoot well in my Tikka .308 with or without filler, hope you have better luck.

Don't remember what loads I used, but dismal results were had.

Feedback on your results is appreciated as I still have 3/4 of a pound left.

Slim

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I never got 5477 to shoot well in my Tikka .308 with or without filler, hope you have better luck.

Don't remember what loads I used, but dismal results were had.

Feedback on your results is appreciated as I still have 3/4 of a pound left.

Slim

I've yet to get rings and a rail for my Rem 700 so it may be a few weeks before I shoot it.

My Lyman Cast book has 5744 shooting the best at a few weights.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Some boollits for my .22 Hornet


Is that from the RCBS mould? Lee needs to make a .22 cal mould, and a 180gr .358 mould and a 147gr 356 mould. Then I'll be happy.

[Whiterabbit]

A good friend of mine wants to hunt with a handgun and all he has is a light weight .45 auto wheel gun. Not the best option but I made these for his hunt. It's filled with a near max charge of Power Pistol. I used a Lee mould and they weigh a tad more than 207 grains.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/45LSWC2_zpsf09c94b9.jpg

next time, use LEE 300 grain WFN. There is bluedot load data in the NRA reloading manual.

[Down South]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Lee320.jpg
Here's my second attempt at the mammoth killers. Lee mould, says 300 but these drop around 320 give or take a few. Using a softer alloy, air cooling instead of water dropping and cooking my GC's in the oven (and ruining my cookie sheet) just barely allowed me to push them through the Lee sizer without breaking my bench.


Anyone have any good loads for this boolit in a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley?
Do you know what the as cast size of these are? It looks like you are sizing down .005" or more from the picture. That could be the reason they are so tough to get through your sizer.

[Down South]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/308_loaded_zpsee4be89d.jpg

Here's my first attempt at rifle. These are .308 Win loaded with 5744. Three test batches with 22gr 25gr and 30gr.

Bullets are loaded to an OAL of 2.551 which give me a jump of exactly .020 which is what Hornady recommends for hunting rounds.

They were all lightly touched with a Lee Factory Crimp Die.

The powder cost me an arm and a leg and with shipping and haz mat fee works out to about $30/lb but even so I can make a box of 20 for $3.26. Still not bad hu?

Are these finished rounds? I see a bit of case mouth bell still on the cases. You might need to turn your crimp die in just a bit more.

Your boolits look good but you are taking several projects on at one time. You may need to focus on one at a time to work the bugs out.
I'd be interested in your results.

[Down South]

As I said, first time working with pure lead. Something weird happened when pan lubing. The bullets turned brown and got smelly. Never happened before. Weird.
Out of curiosity, what is your pan lube? From looking at your Lee 300-320 boolits, it looks like the lube is a lighter color at the GC. Almost like the lube is separating in layers in your lube pan?
I am just asking questions.

Sam

[jeepyj]

First attempt at casting with 99.9% pure lead. They come sooooo shiny!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Wadcutter2_zps939f7fec.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/ex500/media/SSS/Wadcutter2_zps939f7fec.jpg.html)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Wadcutter1_zpsf70094a4.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/ex500/media/SSS/Wadcutter1_zpsf70094a4.jpg.html)

I'm hoping these will expand a bit.

Should go nicely with my new wheelie.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/627pic1_zps9fc33b24.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/ex500/media/SSS/627pic1_zps9fc33b24.jpg.html)
Sweet looking wheelie... Looks like you'll have some fun with that one
Jeepyj

[dtknowles]

Is that from the RCBS mould? Lee needs to make a .22 cal mould, and a 180gr .358 mould and a 147gr 356 mould. Then I'll be happy.

The Gas Check bullets (55gr.) are from a Lyman Mold and the Plain Base bullets (45gr.) are from a NOE mold.

I got the Lyman mold second hand off e-bay for a good price years ago it came with handles, dipper, 310 tool and dies for .222 all it a cool box along with an envelope of checks.. I just bought the NOE mold, I missed the group buy but they had one in stock so it shipped right away. I am very happy with this mold except for the large sprues I need to pour to get good production, I have to go fast and pour big sprues but when I keep it hot it cast nicely. Too hot and I get fins but it is hard to get it too hot.

Tim

[robg]

i find i get better accuracy if the gas checks are in the case neck

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Out of curiosity, what is your pan lube? From looking at your Lee 300-320 boolits, it looks like the lube is a lighter color at the GC. Almost like the lube is separating in layers in your lube pan?
I am just asking questions.

Sam

It's about 50/50 vasiline and beeswax with a crayon thrown in. I wanted orange but looks more pink.

Not sure what the drop size is but I got it down to .452. It was those beasts that broke my reloading table. Now I anneal my checks and try to soften the alloy. Goes through easier now.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

next time, use LEE 300 grain WFN. There is bluedot load data in the NRA reloading manual.

300 grain out of a .45 Auto? That sounds crazy to me. I am tempted to try a 260 grain bullet but this is out of a scandium S&W.

[C. Latch]

300 grain out of a .45 Auto? That sounds crazy to me. I am tempted to try a 260 grain bullet but this is out of a scandium S&W.


I've shot the Lee 452-255-rf out of my .45 ACPs with 700-x. I'm afraid to get enough velocity out of it to make it a comfortable hunting load. YMMV.


How did the 452-300-rf work out for you? I couldn't get mine to stabilize past 50-75 yards when pushed as fast as I wanted to shoot them in my .45 Colt.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

How did the 452-300-rf work out for you? I couldn't get mine to stabilize past 50-75 yards when pushed as fast as I wanted to shoot them in my .45 Colt.

They shoot real good out of my 7.5" Blackhawk. 22.0 grains of H110 (RUGER ONLY) and you've got something special on your hands. I can't say I've tried them past 25 yards though, but I don't see anything to make me think they would tumble.

[Wolfer]

The lee 452-300 RF in my new vaquero pushed to 850 fps is plenty accurate but shoots pretty high at 25 yds. Shooting at my 200 yd gong it appears they'll stay inside a 10 foot circle maybe a little less.
They definitely need more velocity than I'm willing to give them. Woody

[Super Sneaky Steve]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/38HP_PC_zps324df2a6.jpg

Here's my version of Black Talons.

I started with 99.9% pure lead then powder coated black. It's got a +P charge of Power Pistol and the boolits weigh 155gr. It's a Lee design with a custom HP.

They are so soft you can see how my press deformed the noses a bit. I kinda like the look.

I made them this morning and tested them out. They are accurate and don't lead. I couldn't test expansion but I found a few in the berm and they did what you'd expect.

I think I'll carry these from now on.

[zuke]

You've come a long way pretty quickly. Keep up the good work!

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Today was the perfect day for scrapin'.

After wash and a whack with a hammer and chisle on those pesky FMJ's I turned This...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Scrap1_zps0bfcb216.jpg

Into this!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Scrap2_zpsbd0607b0.jpg

Nothing special but I always feel great after a hard days work and having something cool to show for it.

[zuke]

Nice!

[Janoosh]

Well done...AND...great pics..!!

[Super Sneaky Steve]

You've come a long way pretty quickly. Keep up the good work!

I owe all my knowledge to the people on this site and those who were willing to share along the way.

Thanks!

[zuke]

There is a lotta knowledge here!

[dtknowles]

I owe all my knowledge to the people on this site and those who were willing to share along the way.

Thanks!

Steve

Get with the program, all knowledge is not right here. Go out an seek greater knowledge and bring it back here. Be a part of the answer not just the question.

Tim

[Shiloh]

A good friend of mine wants to hunt with a handgun and all he has is a light weight .45 auto wheel gun. Not the best option but I made these for his hunt. It's filled with a near max charge of Power Pistol. I used a Lee mould and they weigh a tad more than 207 grains.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/45LSWC2_zpsf09c94b9.jpg

My current favorite boolit.

Shiloh

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Well, the Super Sneaky Steve Bad Guy Busters are now available in .45 Colt!

Like my .38's I started with 99.9% pure lead. In this case I used an NOE 4 cav mould. Usually they drop smaller than I'd like, but with the powder coat that bumped it up perfectly. Now my Lee sizer will lightly kiss each boolit making them perfectly uniform.

The charge is a max load of HS-6 for a 250 grain boolit, which I'm guessing would be the true weight without the HP pins. These boolits weigh in between around 230.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Colt_HP1_zps3aad1bd0.jpg
So purdy
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Colt_HP2_zps48771d2e.jpg
The sunlight came in just as I was packing them up. Ready for testing.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Colt_HP3_zpsf26e1acc.jpg
The SSSBGB in .38 spl next to the new .45 Colt

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/Colt_HP4_zps42d7812c.jpg
My .45 Colt boolit chucker with my IWB holster.

[rintinglen]

Fine stitching on that holster. Did you make it or buy it?

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Holster is from Barranti Leather.
http://www.barrantileather.com/Products.html

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Let us know how they do. I've been thinking about picking up some 5744 myself to try in the .308

I know it's been a while but I found the light load of 22 grains grouped the best in my rem 700. I got a new scope so I went to sight in again today.

My best group was 1 3/4" at 100 yards. Take away the flyer and it drops to 1/2". I'm sure a better shot could do better but that's as good as it gets for me. The 5744 isn't cheap, but it's economical in the .308 cases.

I cast up the Lee 170 flat nose bullets, this time I powder coated them and they weigh 178gr on my scale. I'll try again a light, middle, high batch and see what groups good.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Here are my first PC rifle boolits. Lee 309-170. They weigh 178 at loading. I measured where the boolit meets the rifling and set it back for a 0.020" jump. Which is seated a bit lower than what my manual says. I bet the PC makes the ogive a big larger.

Anyway, I loaded 10 rounds with 22, 25 and 30 grains of 5744 for testing. If it's anything like my last boolit the low end will group best.

I sized once to seat the gas check then again after the PC to .309.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/309-170a_zps36de3cdf.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/ex500/SSS/309-170b_zps5ca7f47b.jpg

[hickfu]

Here is a pic of the boolits I cast...

105677


Doc