Cast my first bullets today! Did about 30 38/55s before I had to stop. Aside from a minor burn, some airborne flaming paraffin, and one stinky garage, things went pretty well. Bullets turned out, well, not so good, but they got better as I went along. New moulds, new caster.....I'll give it a shot next week again. Had fun, too !
First 30 out of a new mold don't usually turn out all that well for me either.
Grouch
Congrats.
Fer 30 boolits it sounds like you made quite a time of it. I think it takes longer for my pot to heat up then it does to make 30.
If you think your a hammer everything looks like a nail.
"Endeavor to persevere!"
Maker of Silver Boolits for Werewolf hunting
Grats. Such a fun hobby. I think i spend more time on this forum then i do sleeping.
Sounds like me last weekend. Flames, smells, 20+ pours before getting good bullets and a wife saying, "It stinks in here, are you done yet?".
It was a great time.
30?...
Pounds?
Gear
Glad you are enjoying success. It is a lot of fun, and interesting to boot.
But, I gotta ask, why did you stop at 30?
Once I'm in the groove, my minimum run is at least 100!
Sit down! (use a leather apron if you need to). Yeah I started out doing it this way way back before there were people around to tell me I had to stand up. I also cull (with reading glasses - magnification 5X) right during the casting. Nobody told me not to do that either.
We need somebody/something to keep the government (cops and bureaucrats too) HONEST (by non government oversight).
Every "freedom" (latitude) given to government is a loophole in the rule of law. Every loophole in the rule of law is another hole in our freedom. When they even obey the law that is. Too often government seems to feel itself above the law.
We forgot to take out the trash in 2012, but 2016 was a charm! YESSS!
I used store bought 30-1 alloy and it took a long time to melt the 15 pounds I put in. Was about forty degrees in my garage. I had read Several books and articles and watched a buddy do some casting, as well as lurking on this sight for several years. I have two rifles in 43 Spanish and one in 38/55, as well as several Finnish Mosins. I bought most of my equipment used over the last five years, so it was about time. I'll give it a shot next weekend.
I always cast sitting down. I set up my table so everything is within reach at sitting height. My casting pot is on the table and my water drop pan is on the floor. Fill the mold, knock off the spru, turn slightly and tap the handle bolt, repeat. works like a charm and no possibility of water in the lead pot.
sitting down has saved my back. I roll out the casting table and enjoy the smells and sounds of spring as I cast away. Keep the fumes away with the breezes, too.
NRA Life
USPSA L1314
SASS Life 48747
RVN/Cambodia War Games, 2nd Place
Please keep us up to date on the 38/55 project. I have a '93 Marlin in that calibration that my Grandfather gave me years ago. I have never cast nor loaded for that rifle.
I stand while casting.
So I get the bright idea to use a thick foam anti-fatigue mat to make it a bit more comfortable when I am at the bench for hours.
Don't drop a fresh bullet on one of those. It stinks like crazy when it melts into it. just sayin.
Now I have a rug woven from old blue jeans. Way better.
Made my first successful run today, too. Did a little over 100, and 2/3s of them are shootable.
Nice! I generally try to run a pot full (20lbs a night) lately. Low low on many boolits and trying to restock. After a couple weeks I'll set
Up to 600!
Chief Dan George.one of my favs.
Originally Posted by Hickok
At this point in life, I sit to do most everything. After lots of years lifting while standing, I can't stand in place for more than a few minutes. With all the necessary safety gear, my pot on an old typing table, is just about right. On my right is the shelf with my trusty piece of chair leg, and bucket of water. To my left is my hot plate and moulds.
Casting several hundred with a 6 cav mold takes about an hr, and I'm not groaning over it.
Stand if you must, but enjoy it while you can. Casting is supposed to be an enjoyable activity, not a pain in the ,,, lower back, and legs.
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