I've loaded enough revolver cartridges to feel like I have a good handle on it and I find that I am using a lot of commercial cast in my favorite loads, so I have decided to put together a basic casting setup together without spending a while lot of money. I will be getting my hands on a lee bottom pour pot, lee molds, a lee sizing die and plan to tumble lube. Since I shoot 38 special the most, I will start with a 158 grain RNFP mold and a 148 grain wadcutter mold. To keep things simple up front, I will be buying wheel weight ingots off ebay and will figure out sourcing and smelting lead later. I figure if I cast some bullets at 3 cents a piece instead of buying them for 8 cents a pop I am doing well enough for now. If this all goes well, I will get my hands on a 44 mag and possible a 35 Rem mold as well.
I have done a bunch of searching, but I still have a few stupid newbie questions:
- Should I start with a 2 cavity or 6 cavity mold? The goal is regular practice and plinking fodder so volume is a goal, but I do not want to bite off more than I can chew.
- Should I expect to get usable bullets out of my first casting session?
- Can I cast with straight wheel weight material, or do I have to add something (tin) to the pot?
- I am a beekeeper and I think it would be neat to use some beeswax in my lube. Can I use the 50/50 beeswax/LLA mixture for tumble lubing, or is it too think/solid for that?
Anything else I should be aware of? Suggestions very much appreciated as I plan to assemble everything and do my first cast in the next month. I want to cast outside and it is probably better to do that while the weather is still good.