Back to basics

[oldbro]

I have been an active shooter and reloader since 1972. Haven't cast a thing since the late 80's. I am frustrated by the lack of availability of cast bullets and good customer service from the companies that produce them. I shoot revolvers in 460, 480 and 500 cals now and am wanting to pull all my casting equipment out and get back into rolling my own. The issue is lead/alloy acquisition.I was a dealer auto tech for 35 years and was able to salvage all the wheel weights I could haul off for nothing but my time to gather them. Fast forward 25 years and I need to know where to purchase bulk lead and alloys to feed the monsters once again. Lead salvage is a business now and finding it is tough and free impossible.
Can one buy virgin metals and cast at a cost far enough below CB purchasing that it makes sense doing it? Time involved is time well spent when reloading so I never figure my time in the equation. Thanks all.

[DR Owl Creek]

Try Missouri Bullet Company or RotoMetals (both online). Usually Missouri Bullet Company is a little cheaper.

Dave

[Tatume]

There's always lots of lead available on this forum, in the Swapping & Selling section. Everyone I've dealt with has been honest and straightforward. Lead here is affordably priced, much less than most other places.

[SteveS]

I've recently resumed casting after a 25yr. break and I agree with Tatume that you can find the best deals right here.

Companies I have found that sell bullet alloy are...

Rotometals.... http://www.rotometals.com/Bullet-Casting-Alloys-s/5.htm

Zip Metals... http://www.zipmetals.com/Certified-Lyman-2-Bullet-Casting-Alloy-Ingot-5-Sn5-Sband-90-Pb-Price-per-Pound_p_166.html

Nuclead... http://www.nuclead.com/leadshot.html

Lead & Brass... http://leadandbrass.com/zencart4/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65&zenid=21e93c5d5831fb055b9254d5c4c9f69f

Good luck. Times have changed.

[oldbro]

Thanks gentlemen. I'm in need of new molds, my RCBS sizer and pot will
get me started but I was shooting 30 cal decades back. Who's molds throw
best bullets now?

[runfiverun]

best is a toss up these day's..
we have several custom makers that far out-do the name brands.
rcbs is still tops in the market if you want off the shelf.
we have noe, miha, HM-2,accrate,mountain, and aac around here.
some are custom one off company's or offer pre-drawn molds.
the others offer group buy's or short runs.

[oldbro]

Thanks for the names. First off is a
.475 mold. Got everything else except
that and a sizing die.
Any one mold maker better than the next and I always
used Steel molds in past any reason to switch to alum
or brass?

[LAH]

One of the best suppliers of alloy: http://www.maycoindustries.com/

[Wayne Smith]

I have used iron, Lee aluminium, everybody else's aluninium, and brass. Generally stay away from Lee unless you are very gentle, that is some soft metal. Otherwise the aluninium molds heat up quicker, are lighter, and cast just as good a boolit as the others. Brass takes longer to heat up, usually runs better hotter, and is heavy but also is beautiful. Any of the materials, even Lee's, will make you thousands or tens of thousands of boolits when treated well.

Tom at Accurate will make any of his molds to your dimensions - give him a call and he will make it to your needs. He is also about the quickest in turn around time. Take a look at his websits.

The list above missed Dan at Mountain Molds, he has software that allows you to design your own mold. Bernie at Old West molds has the original Old West mold catalog as well as other specialties.

[oldbro]

Communicated with Tom at Accurate Molds. I'm shooting .475 jacketed bullets now and he recommends going .001-.002 oversize with a mold. RCBS makes a .476 sizing die so should I go with a .478 aluminum mold?

[Bzcraig]

I have two sources I buy lead from. First, is a local recycler. He allows me to hand pick the lead I want, paying $.35/lb for wheel weights and $.65/lb for pure. Second is the guy that cleans the berms at the range I shoot at. He sells to me for $.50/lb in ingots.