Casters are a dying breed!

[GoodOlBoy]

I think that there was a correct post in another area of the forum. Casters are a dying breed.

AND I, FOR ONE, AM GOING DOWN WITH THE SHIP!

This board, these folks have been the best time I have had in a long LONG time. Casting has improved my loading and shooting. Casting has given me even more hobbies I enjoy like scrounging lead, and casting ingots. Casting has given me a perspective and view of ammunition and firearms as a whole that I hadn't seen, or appreciated before.

And some of the best folks I have met are on this very board. Folks who cared enough to help others, and to help me when I was sinking fast.

I for one love casting, love this board, and I am here to stay as long as I possibly can!

God Bless us all!

Cast on!

Richard AKA GoodOlBoy

[dilly]

Casting isn't going anywhere as long as there is a good solid shooting community. If casting begins the demise it will be for external reasons (primer shortages, gun grabs, monetary penalties/taxes on owning firearms, etc.)

[oldred]

Casting is dying breed on what planet? The species is thriving quite well here on Earth thank you!

I saw that other thread and I have to admit I was a bit puzzled, the fellow decided he didn't like casting so he decided to quit and then make the obviously seriously mistaken statement that casters are a dying breed which makes little sense at all. You know if someone decides they don't like casting and wants to just spend the bucks on factory bullets that's strictly their decision based on their wants/needs and interests, you know I don't like knitting so I guess I will just buy a ready made sweater this winter and I suppose that also means that knitters are a dying breed also.

As far as casters, there's a good big herd of'em here and they seem to breeding pretty fast!

[toallmy]

Nope just started ,,o this is going to be real fun. Now to figure out this computer thing.

[GoodOlBoy]

naw now them computers ain't nothin but a headache and a fad, you aughta leave them things along!

God Bless

GoodOlBoy

[JWFilips]

I'm Converting shooters every weekend ....So I sure don't see it ! Like to say the same for socialist! Dying breed ...Yeah !!!

[nagantguy]

GoodOlBoy I usually agree with you, but I've met and spoken to more casters in the last 3 years than I'd ever dreamed existed. I wish there were a few less at my selfish times cause it seems like I always miss the good deals at yard sales and in S&S by seconds.

[Mike in TX]

The people that I shoot with all want to cast, from 21 yo to 45 yr. In the last yr 3 new casters that I know of just because someone took the time to work with them. Perhaps we need a new lead supply LOL.

[NC_JEFF]

I new to casting by standards on this site but I've already passed the addiction on to my stepson.

[762sultan]

I agree with GoodOlBoy, I'll be here to the end. I don't want to leave and miss all this great discussion, problem solving, and all the great chit-chat from all the experienced casters on this forum. I have much more I need to learn and this is the best place to find the correct answers...the first time!

[GhostHawk]

Mike nailed it. This community lives only as long as we do. And according to the poll the vast majority of us is over 60. We need to be bringing in new blood, and making sure that our casting tools will go to those who will use them.

Thap being said, I totally agree with Goodolboy. It never occurred to me that such a group existed, then I found it, it was like waking up in heaven.. I spent months just working through the sticky's. And every day I learned things, some big, some small. But it ALL adds up, cumulative effect. Don't lose that.

Last, I had one of those light bulb moments earlier this week. I sat up and realized that everything that I really wanted in my younger years exists all around me now. Loving wife, grandchildren, house (paid for) car to drive, rifles shotguns and pistols to shoot, bullets to cast, brass to reload. I am living in an abundance of everything of everything I desire. Ok, so I don't fly yet, and no Rolling Block, yet. Guy has to have a couple of dreams to work for. :)

[mold maker]

At times I've been called worse than "a quitter", but none of it is true. Ha Ha
You will have to ban me, and then I'll just keep on, on my own.
Casting is a terrible addition.

[Hickory]

Most people who hunt once a year for deer use copper jacketed bullets will turn their noses up at even the thought of a lead boolit being shot in their guns, let alone casting them.
To many "shooters" today shooting lead boolits is as backwards as owning and riding a horse than a car.
Too much trouble for them in a fast paced world.

[jmort]

It will always be a niche for 1% ers. But even with relatively small numbers, casting is thriving. The mold choices we have are better than ever. Lead may very well be banned at some point in terms of discharging it in public places either on state or federal levels or both. That seems inevitable, and has begun. Enjoy what freedom we have while we have it.

[Moonie]

2 of my 3 sons are interested but I guess they don't feel the need to get equipment and do it as long as I cast for them. I'll cast as long as I'm able.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Then we all need to work harder at encouraging other individuals to get involved. In all reality home brewed boolits never was an extremely popular hobby. It takes unique individuals to get involved and dedicate the time and expense.
But there still is hope fellow casters ! Last week talking to my son in Gilbert AZ he stated he wants to get started reloading and casting next time we are up north there. He grew up in those conditions just like I did and it has begun to blossom. I have a good friend in ILLinois who marvels at my ammo and the enjoyment I have in making it all (well almost). He wants to start casting also.
So do not despair. Continue exposing our fine way of shooting and certain others will respond with interest and final involvement.
Mike in Peru

[osteodoc08]

My father passed it down to me and I've taken to it. I shoot more cast than anything now. I still shoot a fair amount of J werds but I love casting. I actually can't wait until fall time as that's when I do a bulk of my casting. I'm in my mid 30's and hope to teach my children. I just need to find a good source of COWW. Every place I've been too lately won't let me have them or are claimed already.

[Freightman]

I shudder when I hear been shooting JHP in my BPCR all I can say is WHY but it is still a free country so if JHP float your boat more power to you, but I think I will cast mine. [smilie=w:

[jmorris]

The only thing that will make them a dying breed is a lack of lead.

[Sagebrush7]

I sell gas checks and meet a lot of new casters online.You can feel their frustration when they don't get the technique or the how to's. I spend the time to explain and recommend they purchase the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual,read it many times. Find a local casting buddy, Join Cast Boolits Forum and ask a lot of questions here. I spend time and money to help all I can to enjoy our sport. James

[nekshot]

I don't see casting a dying breed but it is an older persons hobby. Many fellas I know are tired of shooting and hunting but the thought of casting your own boolit and shooting with less recoil and bang is more than appealing. If the casting community is dying than why the wait and price for molds on internet? Lee's seemed swamped a couple years ago and new business's have opened making molds and such. Naaa, the shooting community is getting stronger, different than 20 years ago but it is increasing and I am glad!!

[RogerDat]

I think that the surge of new in a panic "roll my own" ammo folks might have gone by the wayside (or not) No longer seeing a 6 month back order for a reloading press. Just makes sense that some folks would start a new hobby and decide to move on to something else. During the post Sandy Hook period an awful lot of folks decided reloading was a good insurance policy against the stupidity of Congress. Now some of those folks will cast and some won't, some will give it a try and find it too much of a hassle. Others however will find a lifelong hobby, one that they may well pass on to the younger generation of their family. The parable of the sower and all that. Not every seed falls on good soil, but the one that does returns many times the original seed that was planted.

I figure my casting has exposed at least 3 family members to it enough that they could conceivably take it up themselves at some point in the future. Get them reloading your cast and eventually casting their own seems like a natural thing to do. If not today, then maybe when they get older.

Casting for just the deer hunting season makes no sense. For many hunting season means a few sighting in rounds, a little practice, maybe a couple of rounds in the field. If your entire consumption of 30-06 or 12 gauge slug ammo is less than 50 rounds per year why take up casting... True more practice would probably improve accuracy, always a good thing, but monthly range time is probably the exception rather than the rule for a majority of hunters. Some folks cast because they like casting but have a desire to shoot a lot at a reduced price as a major motivation.

[Elkins45]

Casting has really only had a large 'community' since the advent of cheap internet access. Prior to that I think the only casting community was probably the CBA, of which I was not a member.

I think it's fair to say that casting is an older person's hobby simply because most reloaders acquire guns and gear gradually over their lives. Buying a press, different guns, dies, a supply of brass, etc. often takes precedence over bullet making stuff since bulk commercial cast are readily available. I think I was an exception because I started casting when I was about 25 when I accidentally stumbled across the opportunity to pick up a few hundred pounds of real linotype for free. I'm 51 now, so I guess it's reasonable to say I've been casting for half my life.

[frkelly74]

Every once in a while someone I meet knows what I am talking about, but not very often, except on this site. Most think it is very dangerous and probably will kill you just to be looking at hot nasty poison lead.

[mold maker]

Every once in a while someone I meet knows what I am talking about, but not very often, except on this site. Most think it is very dangerous and probably will kill you just to be looking at hot nasty poison lead.

Most folks that know me have no idea that I've cast for over 50 years.
Even more would be terrified if they knew I make black Powder. I'm sure my neighbor is curious about what I deep fry out back, that smokes, and smells so rotten.
If I drop a hint in conversation that causes them to question, I will give a small amount of info to see if the interest is genuine, or just being nosy.
My close friends, mostly have like interests and are not just aware of my habits/hobbies but share them.
With the current state of affairs you have to be careful what personal info you broadcast.

[myg30]

Every once in a while someone I meet knows what I am talking about, but not very often, except on this site. Most think it is very dangerous and probably will kill you just to be looking at hot nasty poison lead.

Correcto !! My co-worker heard me talking about casting lead boolits and got all bent out of shape because he's originally from Cal a fon ya and brought up the whole shot gun lead killing condors. I asked him if he ever heard about windmills killing birds and he just went off about how it's not right to "Slow poison" the birds ! I told him I try to catch and reclaim my lead but then it's about how much still goes into the ground.
I heard he had past bad history a can not legally own a firearm !

I really enjoy casting and try to interest other reloaders but the lead shortage and extra time issues come up. Everyone wants fast n easy these days.
Same guys won't even change their own motor oil !
I'm here for the long haul folks !
Mike

[Mytmousemalibu]

I started casting & reloading about 8-9 years ago and have no inclination of quitting! In fact, I plan on investing on a larger scale of reloading & casting in general. More equipment, components and guns to be fed! Not a dying breed over here!

My only regret..... Not getting involved sooner! I missed out on some killer stashes of COWW :-(

[Taylor]

I have always been a person who has,if at all possible made my own tools or what ever else was needed.Maybe it was from growing up poor.

When I started reloading,making my own boolits seemed to be the natural thing to do.I do not buy store bought rounds,unless maybe I need the brass.I'm here and not going anywhere.Thank you Cast Boolits folks for being here.

[Denny303]

I also believe the social nature of the internet.. with all the forums and especially cast boolits, has done wonders.. absolute wonders to advance casting, shooting and reloading in general. Don't underestimate the inspiration that this site has given to members as well as the public. I don't think casting will be going anywhere soon, short of a ban on lead etc.

[dtknowles]

I think if they banned lead even more would take up casting. The U.S. is full of contrarians theses days maybe have always been. Look at what happened with they wanted people to take down the Confederate Battle flag. Now more people flying it.

Tim

[PatMarlin]

I think part of the solution is introducing more people to shooting. The next natural progression is the cost of shooting. Casting and reloading enhances the sport and saves money allowing folks to shoot more.

The ability to handload reduced accurate loads, specially for your wife or girlfriend or kids is a great motivator. When I take my girl to the range, she can shoot all types of firearms and have a lot of fun with reduced loads.

That is a huge selling point and benefit of casting.

... Pat :drinks:

[MBTcustom]

I'd say the post sighted by the OP was incorrect. Just judging by the membership growth of our fine forum in the past 5 years, I'd say bullet casting is alive and well.

[perotter]

There are a lot more guys doing around here now than there was 10-15 years ago. It used to be the only guys looking for scrap lead was the one making fishing jigs and I was the only guy wanting it for bullets. Now there are dozens of guys trying to buy the scrap lead for bullets.

[mold maker]

The day we were born we became a dying breed. Every day we live, we are one day closer to the other end. No escaping reality. Just a few of us have used more of our past in the hobby. There's lots of new casters taking the place of the older ones that either quit or build a new bench in heaven.
We each have a responsibility, to introduce and mentor young folks.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
Another aspect of our fine endeavor is the feeding of "unique" firearms chambered with unique calibers. Those "golden age of shooting" rifles and hand guns are one of the reasons I happily search about out of the way places to find them and get them belching fire and lead again. Have seen men older than me standing close by like little boys watching as another round goes down range. And then turn to them and ask if they would like to shoot it... What a chance to explain the simple method of producing those odd diameter boolits.
Mike in Peru

[country gent]

Casting is sometimes the only option for old firearms and aso certain matches. Some old original barrels are soft nd Jwords are very hard on them. Some matches specify lea bullets only swaged or caast, BPCR shillouettes is one. So just for these reasons casting will not completely disappear. Buying the big lead slugs for the old black powder buffalo guns is expensive to do. A pot of lead alloied and some time is much more cost effective.

[Pee Wee]

I have taught 3 people how to cast in the last 3 mo. Paying it forward.