Looking for Info

[jfjohn77]

Wondering if anyone is familiar with "The Art of Bullet Casting Collection" published by Wolfe Publishing? Is this something that would be of value to someone new to casting... Like myself?

[Grmps]

This is helpful, From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners © http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm

Some of this might be helpful too
Casting boolits (lead bullets) properly is a science, once you know the basics, not a hard science.
There is a lot of good information on CB. The Google search (top right of every forum page) is a gateway to all the knowledge on this forum. IF you can’t find your answer there ask the question (Please be as detailed as possible, pictures help http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?344661-Capturing-amp-Posting-screen-shots I would be very surprised if there wasn’t someone on this forum that could answer ANY (firearm related) question you might have)
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm
1. Boolits need to be cast .0005 to .003 (normally .002) over the slugged diameter of your barrel for accuracy and to avoid leading. If the fit is wrong nothing else will work right.
a. slugging a barrel (it is safer to use a brass rod or a steel rod with a couple of coats of tape to avoid damaging your barrel http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinSlug.htm
b. chamber casting https://www.brownells.com/guntech/cerrosafe/detail.htm?lid=10614
or pound casting http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?356251-Pound-Cast-instructions-(for-rifle-chamber)
2. the right alloy needs to be used for the velocity and purpose of the boolit (don’t fall into the trap of going with too hard an alloy
https://i.imgur.com/FD4XW69.png
Economical way to easily test lead hardness
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?355056-Easier-pencil-lead-hardness-testing
https://i.imgur.com/TrOTWFb.png
Some alloys harden over time
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_3_alloySelectionMetallurgy.ht m
different alloy’s different end hardnesses
https://i.imgur.com/O8uvZ8i.png
https://i.imgur.com/MHPjxfp.png
Lead alloy calculator
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=45784&d=1341560870
3. velocity the bullet needs to be pushed hard/fast enough to get the proper spin, have the proper velocity to accurately reach the target but not so hard as to be dangerous or strip the lead off in the grooves instead of spinning the boolit..
The boolit needs to be the right weight for the riffling/twist rate of your barrel
Powders range from fast to slow, you need to choose the right powder for your barrel length & application.
Loading manuals list the best powders for certain calibers and boolit weights.
NEVER use any posted noncommercial load data without first checking commercial load data to see if falls in the safe parameter for your firearm!! There are several firearms out there that can handle much higher pressures than others!!
Link to free online load data
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?337910-CB-load-data-online-sources

[MT Gianni]

The above deserves a like. Great place to start with modern info. Second to that would by Lyman cast bullet manual #3, then in useful order, 4, 1 and 2.

[Bazoo]

I am in process of reading the Art of Bullet casting book. Its interesting, but its really more for advanced casting stuff. It doesnt really teach you the basics of casting.

Fryxell's book is great for beginners and really for everyone.

[jfjohn77]

I've been going over the links in Grmps post. Man, that is a lot of info. Thanks everyone, for the info.

[ericandelaine1975]

The above deserves a like. Great place to start with modern info. Second to that would by Lyman cast bullet manual #3, then in useful order, 4, 1 and 2.Agreed.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[gwpercle]

Wondering if anyone is familiar with "The Art of Bullet Casting Collection" published by Wolfe Publishing? Is this something that would be of value to someone new to casting... Like myself?

If you have the opportunity , go ahead and get it....you wont be a beginner for long and books dealing with casting are few and far between. I buy whatever books I come across , any and all information is helpful .
Gary

[popper]

Is this something that would be of value to someone new to casting
I started with a Lee pot, some alloy and a Lee 401 mould. Melt alloy, pour in mould, repeat.
So lets consider what info we really want.
1) melt, pour, cut sprue and repeat. Simple but a lot of 'tricks' to make it work easy. Preheat mould, proper alloy temp, mould cleaning, etc.
2) Gun/alloy/mould/lube info - grmps post has a lot of info but mostly it is trial and error. Typically, a load book (like Hodgdon online) is valid for starting loads. They are safe loads based on powder pressure and bullet weight. Cast usually goes a tad faster. They also give accepted powder selections - a big help.
3) mould/alloy/lube/sizing selection Another tricky area that you get to learn by trying. Yes, many general successful recommendations (grmps chart). PC is quick, easy, cheap and works. So does LLA tumble lubing.
So don't try learning it all from books. Make good guess to start and go from there.
I will make a comment that may get flamed. Start with an alloy of 3-4% Antimony (good wheel weight material). You don't really need tin, a little won't hurt. You will get better results to begin. Cast some, stop and inspect, looking at sprue cut, frosted look, fillout. When that is good, cast a bunch of keepers. Keep load notes with cast & loaded stuff. Alloy, heat treat, powder, sizing, etc. Drop a note in the container! Now you have good boolits, load some DUMMY rnds and make sure they FIT. Cycle them though the gun to make sure they ALL work. Keep the one that works to reset your seating die.
Shoot some if they work OK yea, else figure out the problem.
Ask specific questions here.
There is a saying, buy once - cry once. Lee stuff is acceptable. Buy carefully with understanding you will get stuff you don't really need or that works for you. Stuff happens. No, I don't use Lee moulds anymore. I've only slugged a 30/30 barrel. Yes, I have and have read the cast bullets to target, you get to create your version.

[sharps4590]

Good post Grmps, it does deserve a lot of likes and maybe a sticky

[Walks]

It would be of great help, wish I still had my books.

They are no longer in print, but WOLFE Publishing offers a DVD Set.
But if you can find the BOOKS, Buy them