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Frank Dreban
12-18-2008, 12:33 PM
Howdy,

I just joined up and thought I'd throw out a lifeline for some help.

I'm a reloader who is now seriously moving to making/loading cast bullets. With a heavy tax likely incoming on reloading supplies, the future bullet serial number registration (which I'm assuming will also be pricey), the fact that my brother-in-law gets an unlimitted supply of free, pure lead, and just getting a bit nostalgic from reading Unintended Consequences. Made me want to break out my older firearms and start shooting the .44mag again.

I am planning on making a 200gr, .40S&W caliber bullet to be used in a full power charge (keeping it subsonic), a 240 or 300gr, .44 bullet for loading full-power, .44 magnum rounds, and possibly, possibly a 200+gr .308 bullet for loading .308 Winchester at a subsonic level.

I've never researched bullet casting, so I have a lot of catching up to do.

Can anyone point me to a link to a forum or thread that would be good to teach me the basics?? I'd also appreciate either recommendations or a link to a thread with recommendations on what I need for a basic setup to cast my own bullets.

This is something I'd be doing forever and teaching my children to do, so I'd like some quality equipment. I've heard of 6-round moulds, which would be great on time saving, but I'd prefer quality over quantity. Is there a difference in bullet mould manufacturers in regard to quality?

I appreciate all the help you can give. I'm not asking for everyone to take the time to write it all down for me, just to shoot me some links that cover the information. I've got some time over the holiday to do some research, so I don't mind doing the leg-work.

Thanks again and have a Merry Christmas,

Mike

txbirdman
12-18-2008, 12:36 PM
You need to get a copy of the Lyman Cast bullet manual and a copy of Joe Brennan's book from the Cast Bullet Association then do some reading.

docone31
12-18-2008, 12:49 PM
Mike,
I am probably the first to pipe in. There will be more.
First, get the Lymans Cast Bullet Handbook. Absolutely full of info. Makes good shooters porn.
Second, always ingot seperate from your pouring pot. Keeps the crud out.
Third, I like Lee Molds. I started that way, and am satisfied.
I pan lube, then size. There are tutorials on the site that will really get you pointed in the right direction. It is fairly simple, and smells good.
Sizing is very important! Makes all the difference between success and failure. Lee makes good Push Thru Sizers. I use them exclusively. Inexpensive, reliable.
For your centerfire rifle, I reccomend paper patching. I did not like the results I got from just casting. I paper patch my centerfires now and can match or better jacketed bullet performance. It is simple, and effective.
My .308s and 7.62s really like paper patching. Less pressure with better groups.
I use the Lee molds to be the prime casting, then size down and paper patch.
Your pistol needs are cast regularly here, there are a lot of folks who have it dialed in.
For me, I use the "dreaded" Lee Bottom Pour Pot. I do not have the issues others have had with it. It does not drip, takes a bit to get used to, and just plain works for me.
I float my Lee molds in the melt to get up to temp, then control the mold temperature by adjusting my casting time. I am pretty satisfied with my results. Others like the iron molds. Either way, you are going to get good results.
Alloy will be important. Pure lead is good for front stuffers and a lot of paper patching. Lyman #2 is a pretty good mix. I use wheel weights with a touch of tin. I water quench these as I cast. I have been doing that ever since I started.
Welcome, and hang on. You gonna learn a lot, have a ball down the road, and accomplish what you want to.
A lot of folks here have forgotten more than I have yet to learn. In other words, a mess of experience that works!
Every question I have ever asked has been answered and then some.
Welcome.

acemedic13
12-18-2008, 12:53 PM
Welcome to the club Frank! I am a new member here also. My advice to you is start a thread with your specific question in the appropiate forum. I have done this a lot. This site is a huge resource. The people here are extremely helpful. There is probably a million years of combined experience. Not just on casting but all aspects of reloading. I have put some seriously "dumb" questions out there and have always got answers that I needed.These guys like to help us 'NEWBIES" out.This site is like having yoda on your desk! SOOOOoooooooo.....Find a forum and post your question. I promise you will get a ton of great input you can really use. Take care...ACE

BoolitSmith
12-18-2008, 01:10 PM
^ All good advice.Between the Lyman manual and this site you can learn just about anything you need to know on casting.Actually,I have learned more on here than anywhere.This place is full of knowledge and great people who are willing to help.I have been casting for my 357,38,30-30,and 30-06 for over a year now with great success due in part to this forum.Good luck and ENJOY casting!

45nut
12-18-2008, 01:14 PM
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35

The "Classics & Stickies" area has TONS of information and help for both the new and the old hands.

Please review those topics! Welcome to the board!

Frank Dreban
12-18-2008, 01:21 PM
Thanks for the advice, everyone. Looks like the Lyman Manual will be some good reading for me while in Oregon visitting the family. After I get done with that, I'll pick up Brennan's book.

Thanks again!

IcerUSA
12-18-2008, 03:12 PM
You might also think of getting the Lee reloading manual also , has alot of good info in it also .

I have both the Lyman's , The Reloading and the Cast Bullet and the Lee Reloading , all are a good read .

Stickies here will consume hours upon hours as you can get lost and venture way off from what you started to look for in the first place . :)

You'll soon be smelting and casting like a pro , helping others , and if it is something you decide you like doing you a goner , you will forever be a disciple of the silver stream .

Keith

atr
12-18-2008, 03:16 PM
Welcome Frank,,,
Ive been casting for more years than I want to admit to. Both pistol and rifle.
GET the LYman cast bullet manual !!!
I use an electric pot with a hand dipper. I started with melting my lead mix on a coleman camp stove but Ive found the electric pot more consistant for temperature.
WEAR SAFTEY GLASSES !!! and GLOVES although I must admit I dont always wear the gloves
Get a good mold, I prefer LYMAN but alot of guys really like LEE
You will also need a hardwood stick to knock the spruce off...Old ax handles work well...
You should also get some carpet squares or something similiar to drop the bullet onto.
you will also need some bees wax or similiar to flux the mix....fluxing is important,,,you cant do it enough.
Most important....have patience....forget about mass production....
have fun

jonk
12-18-2008, 03:17 PM
You will need to harden your pure lead, or trade it for some hard lead on the swap board.

Hardcast416taylor
12-18-2008, 03:33 PM
There are those that say I`m old enough to have taught Washington to cast at Valley Forge! However I don`t profess to know half what I would like to know about casting lead. I ask questions here and when I know something someone wants to know I try to answer them here. Believe me there is no such thing as a stupid question, ask away it only means you want to know something that isn`t clear in your mind. My first advice is already printed above for the reading material. My next advice is to try and locate wheel weights or the scarce printers linotype for hardening agents. The melting equipment will be explained fully in the books. We all reccommend you smelt the lead down in a seperate melting vessal and then make ingots of some shape for using in your other melting pot. So ask away, we`ll be here for you. May the Gods of the Silver Stream be kind to you. :castmine: Robert

Russel Nash
12-18-2008, 03:49 PM
I am still kinda new at this too, so instead of re-inventing the wheel, probably asking the same questions I asked, just do a search of posts or threads using my screenname.

As far as a smelter goes, I think everyone here will agree with me that a propane fired turkey fryer and a cast iron dutch oven is the general consensus here.

Wayne Smith
12-18-2008, 05:29 PM
All good advice. Remember, ignorance can be fixed. Stupid is terminal! Here we fix ignorance gladly. Having questions only means you are ignorant of something. I'm ignorant of a lot - I have my doctorate in Psychology and I am ignorant of most of what my son, with his Masters in Areospace Engineering, knows. Most of the time I'm glad of it, too!

jonk
12-18-2008, 07:22 PM
A weed burner makes a great smelter melter if you have a pot, and is cheaper than a turkey frier.