Newbie's casting journey

[kentfielddude]

I have begun my journey into the world of bullet casting. Follow my journey as I discover the art and science of bullet casting. Watch as I overcome challeneges, experiement with different alloys, and create custom bullets that hopefully outperform anything I've used before. Experience the excitment testing out my custom bullets and the satisfiaciton of seeing hard work pay off. Join me on my quest to become a master bullet caster and learn valuable lessons about craftsmanship, determination, and the power of knowledge. Don't miss out on this exciting and inspiring adventure.

Despite being a busy college student and my demanding schedule, I occationally have time to pursue my passion for bullet casting and reloading.
More updates to come.

[Walks]

Positive mindset is a Good thing.

[OS OK]

With inspirations like yours...I predict this thread is going to last for years! "I'm in for the ride."

[kentfielddude]

My first bullets I plan on casting are 300 blackout subsonic.
Casting equipment I have purchased so far:
Molds:

NOE HTC310-225RN for 300 blk https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/bullet-moulds/308-311/htc310-225-rn-ce4/htc310-225-rn-ce4-4-cavity-2gc-2pb/?attribute_pa_dfp=dmb&attribute_pa_mw-sl=lwandsl
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8CPUmgKAFXtAIOhNc6K7GAHmZdVddJKqBmIaRs4C8P3vS Spk2A3UT8uzSXxFJix7d3pJAS-Lctbq2uT6xRXcTi4Ljs4b1DXJ7eba242Lg5rqcu2Z_VNOKJINZ R4TVoma4YZbdZ1g9K3Ulaz907Ay6NE=w900-h1902-no
LEE 6 cavity CTL-312-160-2R for 300blk supers and 303 british.
I got the following molds from someone who was selling their fathers reloadin gear (bullets, presses, dies, molds) who is unfortunately not around anymore.
I've sold some of the bullets, molds, and a press that I won't be needing so I've almost even on the deal.
Lyman 452374 4 cavity for 45 Caliber
Lyman 358242 4 cavity for 9mm (123ish grn)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8CVHiIS1GjAcoaqqZOJiwN7Xkm67Eyw7LutanmKEu7jcT GU3pFSuHcBGrPnpgIX3DowZKin_ejPYTbgzmJ5XNqE5uB6yeoy p3zSoyl6o_3-WAa4LoFN6rd2a4rmA7ocy53SjkJH8A2KKndkE453waW_=w3841-h1818-no
30 cal gas check maker http://https://www.opticsplanet.com/sharpshooter-one-stroke-gas-check-maker.html
I also have some hornady 30 cal gas checks.
NOE gas check seating dies https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/bullet-casting-reloading/gas-checks-tools/gas-check-seating-die/gas-check-seating-dies/
NOE 30 cal bullet sizer with .309 bushing https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/bullet-casting-reloading/sizing-tools/sizing_kits/30-caliber-sizers-standard/.

I got the lee pro 4-20 metling pot and bought NOE lead pot mould guide https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/bullet-casting-reloading/melting-pots-and-related/lead-pot-mould-guide/lead-pot-mould-guide-3nd-gen/ and https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/bullet-casting-reloading/melting-pots-and-related/lead-pot-mould-guide/lee-pro-4-20-lead-pot-mould-guide-adapter/

3lbs of Smoke's powder coating.

5 quart cast iron pot from walmart.
METAL:

240lbs of pure lead ($1 lb) Since I'm in California I can't get lead wheel weight from tire shops because its "illegal in California to sell, manufacture or install lead wheel weights."
50lbs of linotype at $2 lb
4ish pounds of pewter
I will be using that alloy spreadsheet calculator.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8B5sKk-FDfdoMdFW2Uy5EqD5qSwD6txQ4t_yIqMNF5VVNqO5Vy8JmRGEd elcYczNwu4771vq233qvT4Ml9_wpmfebZRGDIMinsjrKkORsAH JuoiV9b8czpcJgGGh-eNmb2G42FkJ8Fu1DIkHKoiFXS3=w3841-h1818-no


I've created a google photos album with high quality pictures for your enjoyment that I'll be updating along the way. Link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jr4wQaJeoSGwCJ4u7

[kentfielddude]

A friend told me that some people lap the sprue plate on a glass surface with 2200 grit wet sandpaper so that the steel sprue plate doesn't mar up the aluminunm because sometimes it's a bit ruff from tool marks. The sprue plate of the NOE mold I got there was one raised corner that was slighty marring the top of the mold. In hindsight this didn't affect the function of the mold at all so I should have left the sprue plate alone. So I sanded that down and lapped the sprue plate to try and get it all the tool marks out and get it really smooth. Well turns out that doing that was a mistake. I called up NOE because after I lapped it I was having secods thoughts and wanted to ask what paint he uses for the sprue plates. I told him that I lapped the surface because there was a rough spot and he informed me of my mistake. The sprue plates have a special high-temp teflon coating which I had completly stripped off. Noe was very nice about it and sent me a new sprue plate free of charge. On his website I found that the coating is DuPont TEFLON S 958-303. I email a place that sells it and they told me its $450/gallon + shipping.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8BPftOGoUeBYf9Rw7q5ADLWZTtQZoS2pocXeyIB3W8grW 17n3LWbAuDCNzv2Rqhl-PL5-jE1tzEEfvWG0w2oClHFbm07-KPZp8LyUGUugPyPE6Q3iWYHNGIGTt189B32Il1VYMD-zx8N7CiUPPgLErL=w1578-h1902-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8BOSBCBc7-Cc8qZNCaF0q4H693vrt9ZR-zxU_1bFpha6VhTC4ObqJTSXuTRMEv423rfevMWbM-iy5P126mD9-OsfvNUpGnDkN9PUS9rOYP-8xgXSx0wm3pxT0Yk6ScMy2IzstsTn_OhIZNNJ0SV-JBl=w1524-h1902-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8BSWkHcqkAG6RxyBrb9KnPWH0MV6vttT1mwQNZbq8Fuqn PrG4-utCtAuwBKdsa0SUqTi0cEEFL_9lj4nwi9Wt2B3o09txWJUv0hx Yz5xzOcHS2DcYwE1BJIRGQ3HLxJ49hmacpeOk2S8wpfqO7qvH-j=w1092-h1904-no

[WRideout]

This is something I would never have guessed.

Wayne

[makeurownfun]

On your NOE 309-225 mold, did you specifically ask for 2 gas checks and 2 plain base? IDK that I've ever seen one like that

[kentfielddude]

Yes. I ordered the 2GC/2PB model listed on his website

[kentfielddude]

The gas checks I made with 0.5mm are too thick I think. The inside diameter is a little to small to fit on the gas check shank of some bullets I casted. The first one I attempted to put on mushroomed out and the second one I was able to get it on but the force required damaged my noe top punch. Although the top punch I was using is for a different bullet than the one I was using so that's probably my fault.

[Shiloh]

I learned so much about casting right here at CastBoolits.
I cast quality, accurate boolits, faster with less rejects.
I learned to find the "Sweet spot Zone" to cast faster.
Shiloh

[pworley1]

Sometimes it's one step forward and two step back but it is worth the trip.

[kentfielddude]

Water Quenched 300blk 235grn subsonic boolits
https://i.imgur.com/dTunhvV.jpg
sized bullets
https://i.imgur.com/U99rLbL.jpg
Got a fully functional toaster oven for $5.50
https://i.imgur.com/BfRHgV8.jpg
Powdercoated
https://i.imgur.com/WcwE86w.jpg
I mixed wheel weights, linotype, pure lead, and a little bit of pewter
https://i.imgur.com/RSOQ19T.png