Top 10 Cast Boolits tips

[Redhorse702]

Speaking of which.. I just bought a 5 gallon bucket o wheelweights.. they are NOT all lead... 20% are a zinc combination... they do not melt!!!

[Capt. Methane]

Speaking of which.. I just bought a 5 gallon bucket o wheelweights.. they are NOT all lead... 20% are a zinc combination... they do not melt!!!

The sintered iron ones won't melt either but it's kind of funny watching a piece of iron bobbing around on a liquid like a cork on water!

Brass molds like to run hot, warm them on the stove top!

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I've learned that EVERY question you ask here, gets a minimum of two completely different answers.
But there are plenty of folks willing to help and lots of good tips.

[jmort]

That may seem to be the case, but often there is a best answer/practice and then the lesser/wrong answer/practice. The truth is out there, you may have to dig/think.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

That may seem to be the case, but often there is a best answer/practice and then the lesser/wrong answer/practice. The truth is out there, you may have to dig/think.

Absolutely. I think getting the ideas out there so you can sort through them and find what works for you is what it's all about. It's a process.

[fa38]

Never trust what is written on a sizing die as to its true sizing diameter. I have I think, six .30 cal sizing dies and only one sizes to its stated diameter.

[knobster]

I didn't read through all the pages so I may have missed it...

I've learned that you can't hurry when casting. Haste does indeed make waste. Luckily the waste can easily be tossed back into the pot.

[BruceB]

" Haste does indeed make waste."

Naturally, we have no idea how extensive your experience may be when you say that "I have learned...."

However, let it be known that there is a very distinct difference between "haste" and "EFFICIENCY".

It is no great trick to produce 400-500 GOOD bullets per hour from a two-cavity mould, or to cast 800-1000 good bullets per hour from a four-cavity mould. All it takes is a reasonable amount of correct organization.

Do a search here for "speedcasting" and you should come up with my original article on the subject.

Many on this website have tried it with excellent results.

[lka]

1. Read stuff on this site
2. Collect lead and other supply's when you can because one elected ******* can make one speech and ruin your hobby for months.
3. Just do it (with safe charges) and learn from your own mistakes.
4. Take your time and try to understand why things don't work.
5. Barrel test before going to the range.
6. Don't lick the lead bars.
7. Don't let your kids lick the lead bars.
8. Read the stickies before asking questions, seems frowned upon.
9. Have fun and collect all the brass you can while having fun.
10. Shoot a ton after the ******* talks because you followed rule #2

[typz2slo]

I have learned that I should have started hoarding lead a long time ago.
Also read the stickies. There are always two solutions to the problem and both may work.

[CHeatermk3]

...Do a search here for "speedcasting" and you should come up with my original article on the subject.
Just tried, no findee..

[jonp]

1) Read about everything you can on this site first
2) Start casting.
3) Ask questions here if something doesn't look/go right and it probably won't the first few tries.
4) Start casting again

Almost forgot: Just because a spoon you are using to skim the melt is not glowing red does not mean it is cool enough to pick up with your bare fingers. You will get a blister. PAY ATTENTION

[wacki]

Tagged for later reading.

[mdi]

That may seem to be the case, but often there is a best answer/practice and then the lesser/wrong answer/practice. The truth is out there, you may have to dig/think.

Yep, read then apply a hefty dose of common sense...

[kbstenberg]

Keep 2-3 warmed ingots close by when casting. If the pot goes into fast dump mode. Put the ingots into the pot to freeze the lead. The reason I say warm ingots, If you through cold ingots into hot lead the tinsel fairy mite show up.
Always keep one of those long nosed bick lighters handy. To help unfreeze the downspout nozzle on the melter.

[michiganmike]

A "Well duh" rule I always practice: Check and double check your work throughout the entire process, from examining the fired brass to pressing the bullet into the cleaned, resized, primed and charged brass. I have saved myself several potential problems. Several have occurred when charging the brass with longer stick powder. I recall finding one with half a charge and the next with a 150% charge.

[robg]

I now know so much I realise I know nothing .

[Crummyshooter]

I have started using 2 pots, when I am going to make a long run. A lee 10 pound to keep the make up molten and a Lyman 25 for casting. Helps keep the casting pot up to temp.

[The_Hammer]

I've learned that I do not know enough about casting even though I've been doing it for awhile.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

good stuff to re-read...