Newbie needs advice from the Wise

[Combatmedic63]

Hello everyone,

I have been a member here at Castboolits for awhile. I don't post all that often, but I do read lots of threads. I need some advice from the wise, long time casters. I am a disabled vet on a fixed income and I have decided that after gaining the basic knowledge of casting, I think it's something I would like to do, so I would like to know what equipment (just the basics) I really need to get started. I know I need a pot, molds, and lead; but is there a way to size and lube on a budget? I have looked at the price of sizing presses and the dies and it seems like it might be out of my reach at this time. I know what some of you are thinking; if you can't afford the equipment, maybe you shouldn't take up the hobby of casting. You may be correct. This is why I am asking what I need to get started. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

Scott

[GregLaROCHE]

You can start simple. You need a mold, lead, something to melt it in and something to transfer it into the mold. I know a very accomplished BP cartridge shooter, who had electric pots, but now melts his lead in a simple saucepan and pours it into the mold with an oversized table spoon. He says he doesn’t need anything else.

Don’t think you can’t afford it. If you want to get into a lot of production, you may want an electric pot. I started with a Lee 20# pot eight years ago and it still serves my needs.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

[Combatmedic63]

You can start simple. You need a mold, lead, something to melt it in and something to transfer it into the mold. I know a very accomplished BP cartridge shooter, who had electric pots, but now melts his lead in a simple saucepan and pours it into the mold with an oversized table spoon. He says he doesn’t need anything else.

Don’t think you can’t afford it. If you want to get into a lot of production, you may want an electric pot. I started with a Lee 20# pot eight years ago and it still serves my needs.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction.

Thank you for your response. Don't the Boolits need to be sized in a press? Or is this optional?

[Sasquatch-1]

I started with a ladle, a tin can, a mold and the kitchen stove. The tin can did start to leak after a bit of use. Lee sizing dies are between $20.00 and $30.00, on Amazon. And you can learn how to pan lube.

Powder coating is actually cheap to get into. I picked up a toaster over for $10.00 at a yard sale and a pound of powder from Eastwood is 15 to 20 dollars and will last for quite a while.

[Combatmedic63]

I started with a ladle, a tin can, a mold and the kitchen stove. The tin can did start to leak after a bit of use. Lee sizing dies are between $20.00 and $30.00, on Amazon. And you can learn how to pan lube.

Powder coating is actually cheap to get into. I picked up a toaster over for $10.00 at a yard sale and a pound of powder from Eastwood is 15 to 20 dollars and will last for quite a while.

I'm assuming that in order to use the Lee sizing dies you can put them in a single stage press, is this correct? As far as powder coating, that was going to be my next question. I've read that powder coating cuts down significantly on the lead fouling. Is this correct?

[JSnover]

For general purpose boolits, sizing is optional. If you want to size or if you need to size, Lee push through die shouldn't break the bank. Pan lubing is cheap and easy and really not too messy once you get it dialed in.

[Sasquatch-1]

I'm assuming that in order to use the Lee sizing dies you can put them in a single stage press, is this correct? As far as powder coating, that was going to be my next question. I've read that powder coating cuts down significantly on the lead fouling. Is this correct?

Yes to the Lee sizing dies. They can be used in a standard size reloading press.

[pworley1]

You probably can get everything except lead and a mold at a thrift store. You can load with a Lee loader without a press, but good used presses can be found for the price of a new Lee loader if you really look for one. I would recommend that you powder coat instead of using lube. I have been using lube for over 50 years and still do for some loads, but I mostly powder coat now.

[GhostHawk]

Second hand stores should be your primary source for equipment. Including a fork (Mine is old old sterling silver) for cleaning dross and scraping. I find an old fashioned ice spike handy for several small jobs like cleaning up spills on the pot, floor, etc.

For pot I can tell you that I cast for years with a 7" cast fry pan.

For a ladle, consider a good deep gravy serving ladle with a hole drilled (not too big) about 2/3rds of the way from bottom dead center to rim.
You can scoop up a good bit of lead, then slip the mold under the hole, tip the ladle forward to get your silver stream into the mold.

I find a pair of pliers pretty handy.

What you use for a heat source is up to you. I've used wood fires, gas ranges, Coleman stoves, and electric hot plates.
But nothing beats a good electric melter.

If you didn't live way over east in Maine I'd give you a nice little Lee 4 lb dipper pot.

But, hit the second hand stores and think! You can do it.

[Combatmedic63]

Thank you guys so much for the advice and knowledge. I have two single stage presses that I use for reloading. I think I will buy the Lee dies and do the powder coating. I have about 100lbs of lead that I have been accumulating for the last few years. I assume that Lee molds are probably the least expensive available.

[Half Dog]

To me, starting off cheap is more costly. Some good equipment can be gotten at good prices and it will last. Look for estate/garage sales. Buy once and cry once.
I use the Hi-Tek coating, a container will last quite a while. The coating powder and an oven were the major costs there but thrift stores will have ovens periodically.
I size my bullets, it cuts down on the frustration further into the process of reloading.
I wish you luck on your adventure into casting. As I’m sure you have noticed, this site is a wealth of information. There have been many posts showing many homemade remedies that are very cost effective.

[Rockingkj]

You can lube with Lee liquid ALOX as a fairly inexpensive alternative. It’s a pour some on tumble in a container until coated set out to dry for a day. I use Lee sizing dies in reloading press. but according to Lee instructions sizing is not needed if the loaded round will chamber. Have not quite bought into that. ALOX according to Lee is a miracle substance. A bit like Chris Ledoux sang about Copenhagen it’s a cure all fits, caught, colds, runny nose, makes conception a wonder and child birth a pleasure. Seriously though with minimal out lay you can make shootable bullets quite reasonably . What Cal. are you looking to shoot?

[farmerjim]

90% of my molds are Lee. They are good. Be sure to lube the mold before casting use. There are several lubing methods to prevent galling. I like the aluminum anti seize and 2 cycle oil. other things also work.

[rancher1913]

a lee bottom pour pot, lee mold, lee push thru sizer can be had for around a hundred bucks. thrift store oven and smokes trial pak can be had for another 30 bucks. assuming you have the press and powder and primers you could be casting your own for less than 150 bucks. BUT it can get out of hand after you get going, expect to always need just one more mold or this or that and before long your in for thousands of dollars.

[murf205]

As far as powder coating, I bought a used toaster oven for $15 of of Craigslist but they are at thrift stores for cheap. But you can use your regular oven as long as you can get a thermometer to make sure you can get and maintain 380-400 degrees for 20 min. I it doesn't produce any toxic fumes that I can determine, so cook away! Just get some non-stick aluminum foil for the bottom of your pan. I have a little 10 Lee electric bottom pour pot that I bought in 1980 and is still pours just fine. Yeah, they might drip at times but that is not the end of the world, especially for a combat medic! I know 'cause I was one too.
What caliber are you going to start with? Do you already have a press and reloading dies? There are a lot of casting/loading hoarders...er, I mean collectors, here that can possibly help with some stuff they don't use anymore. Good luck brother.

[Jhopson]

The Lee APP is a good sizing machine they will not break the bank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Minerat]

In lue of the lee push thru dies you might consider one of the NOE kits. Then you can add bushings as you expand into new calibers. The initial cost is about the price of 2 lees but once you have that the bushings are about 1/2 the cost.

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/bullet-casting-reloading/sizing-tools/bushing-push-through-size-die/.

I pan lubed until I could afford the sizer and dies.

Also you can post WTB ads before reaching 30 posts so may be able to find what you need in S&S.

[MrWolf]

As far as moulds for the lead ingots, simple corn bread molds can be used. Just let them rust up first. I've used them for years and again, flea market, Goodwill, or thrift stores. Those Asian cooking ladles with the holes work fine for getting out dross. Plenty of good ideas. Remember folks in the early west and explorers managed to do everything with a campfire back when. Good luck
Ron

[Combatmedic63]

You can lube with Lee liquid ALOX as a fairly inexpensive alternative. It’s a pour some on tumble in a container until coated set out to dry for a day. I use Lee sizing dies in reloading press. but according to Lee instructions sizing is not needed if the loaded round will chamber. Have not quite bought into that. ALOX according to Lee is a miracle substance. A bit like Chris Ledoux sang about Copenhagen it’s a cure all fits, caught, colds, runny nose, makes conception a wonder and child birth a pleasure. Seriously though with minimal out lay you can make shootable bullets quite reasonably . What Cal. are you looking to shoot?

I want to start out with 9mm, .41 Mag, and .45 colt

[Combatmedic63]

Thank you all for the great ideas and information.

Minerat I looked at the NOE link in your post, but the information is vague. Is the $46 push through size die body what I need to get started? Or should I just bite the boolit and find a used Lyman or RCBS sizing press? Which would be cheaper in the long run?

[foesgth]

If you are going to powder coat you will want a push through sizer. The NOE system works great! After you purchase the die you only need to get the bushings. NOE has every size unlike Lee.

[Rich/WIS]

Suggest you start with the 41 or 45 they are large fat bullets and IME large fat bullets cast easily. Even new Lee melters, mold and sizer kits are not too pricey and although often called "entry level" will serve far beyond the beginner phase. If going Lee suggest the 20# pot, its a few dollars more, but worth it. Titan Reloading, a sponsor here, is a good place to start your search for equipment, as well as posting a WTB on the S&S forum.

Best advice I can offer is don't get discouraged, casting is as much art as science and there is a learning curve. A little practice and you will surprise yourself at how quickly you master the skills involved.

[Rich/WIS]

FYI Midway is listing the Lee molds and 20# furnace on sale now.

[murf205]

FYI Midway is listing the Lee molds and 20# furnace on sale now.

I just checked the Midwayusa site and the 10lb pot is $72 and the 20lb is $80. Do your self a favor and get the 20 lb. Especially since shipping is free.

[murf205]

FYI Midway is listing the Lee molds and 20# furnace on sale now.

I just checked the Midwayusa site and the 10lb pot is $72 and the 20lb is $80. Do your self a favor and get the 20 lb. Especially since shipping is free. I would skip the 6 cavity molds for beginners and go with the 2 cavity ones. Just my experience anyway.

[Combatmedic63]

Thank you guys again. I just ordered the 20lb pot, but will have to wait until next month to get a couple of molds. I might put a WTB ad for a couple of used Lee molds. I might be able to get a couple that I can afford this month.

[Rockingkj]

I want to start out with 9mm, .41 Mag, and .45 colt

Tell you what, PM your name your name and address. I have a Lyman mold 454424 the book says casts a 255gr bullet for 45 colt I will mail you. You will need to find a set of handles but this might get you a bit of a start. Not looking for $ just a thank you for your service. Tim

[El Bibliotecario]

I began casting using a Lyman iron pot and a Coleman stove on the patio. It was hot, slow, and it worked.

Lee products are cheaper than others because Lee finds ways to make them cheaper, in order to target economy minded customers. Because of this Lee products may look cheap, but typically work as well as the more expensive brands.

I'd recommend looking at used equipment--reloading gear seldom wears out.

[Combatmedic63]

Tell you what, PM your name your name and address. I have a Lyman mold 454424 the book says casts a 255gr bullet for 45 colt I will mail you. You will need to find a set of handles but this might get you a bit of a start. Not looking for $ just a thank you for your service. Tim

Wow, that is so generous of you. I appreciate your "Thank you for my service" but it was totally my honor to serve our country, or what's left of it now. So sad...

[405grain]

A million years ago when I first started casting, all I had was a single burner Coleman stove, a 7" cast iron skillet, and a ladle to pour with. I made decades worth of mediocre bullets that leaded the bore, had so-so accuracy, were messy (because of bullet lube), but allowed me to shoot and hunt all the time using tire weights and scrap lead (which, back in those golden days, were free). The one thing you should never cheap out with is the molds. Bad molds are a lesson in frustration and a waste of money. Lyman, rcbs, Saeco & NOE molds cost more than Lee, but IMHO they are of such better quality that they're worth saving up for. If your budget only allows for a set of Lee molds, consider them as "starter" molds.

Today I have bottom pour pots, a bunch of molds and handles, and a cabinet full of trays of different size & weight cast bullets. Looking back on my flat broke younger days, if I were going to start casting with a wallet so thin that I could shave with it, I'd start out with a dipper style pot (one where you ladle the lead from the pot to the mold). Do Not use your stove to melt lead or cast bullets! Your wife/girlfriend Will beat you! Do your man stuff in your man cave. Get the best set of molds that you can afford. If they're good, and you take care of them, they will last you a lifetime. Buy a Lee push through sizer. These work great on a single stage reloading press. They're inexpensive, they seat gas checks perfectly, they size bullets perfectly, they're worth it. I also own the NOE sizing equipment, but it's more advances & expensive. I'd highly recommend getting a lee push through sizer to start with.

Powder coating is a world changing innovation. Personally, baring a global thermonuclear war or some space alien invasion, I will never go back to using conventional bullet lube. Traditional lubes are a huge mess, I never got away from barrel leading with them, they made my revolvers a sticky mess, they smell, they're a pain to make, the list just goes on and on. Do yourself a solid and step out of the stone age: either get a bag of powder from Smoke (in the vendors section), or buy some Ford light blue from Eastwood. Of the powders that I've gotten from Smoke, signal blue seems to work the best. Read up in this forum about the "shake-n-bake" method and you'll be on your way. If you want to use bullet lube, swirl lubing with 45-45-10 or Alox would be the way I recommend. Some may say that you don't need to size your bullets, but: you will always get better accuracy with bullets that are sized to match up with your particular firearm.

So, in retrospect; you'll need a way to melt your alloy, a mold to cast your alloy, a way to size your bullets, and a way to lube or powder coat your bullets. Once you have these requirements you are on your way to making your own cast bullet ammunition.

[OS OK]

Thank you guys so much for the advice and knowledge. I have two single stage presses that I use for reloading. I think I will buy the Lee dies and do the powder coating. I have about 100lbs of lead that I have been accumulating for the last few years. I assume that Lee molds are probably the least expensive available.

Here's how your Lee size die will set-up on a single stage press. (I added a spring over the post that is about 1/4" taller so that my shaky old hand wouldn't have to follow that post up to the die bottom hole holding the cast on evenly...no pinched fingers when you get going faster)...Put a rubber band around the red container so you wont fill it and dump it on the floor like I've done so many times.

https://i.imgur.com/OZRDUSxl.jpg?1

You may need to hone the tooling marks in the die entrance or may have to size it up a few thousandths...if so post what you want to do and there will be a dozen methods suggested here to help you with that part.

If your broke, take your time, save some $'s as your getting quality tools because if you make this a lifetime endeavor, your going to spend even more money getting what you really want and need over buying things quick & 'cheapLEE' just to hurry and get started.

[Minerat]

Thank you all for the great ideas and information.

Minerat I looked at the NOE link in your post, but the information is vague. Is the $46 push through size die body what I need to get started? Or should I just bite the boolit and find a used Lyman or RCBS sizing press? Which would be cheaper in the long run?

The link went to just the tool (die set). You would the need to buy the right size bushing and push rod for sizing for a 45 probably a 0.452 bushing and a 45 push rod. I'm cheap so I use a 44 push rod in my 44, 45 and 50 dies.

They both have their advantages. With the Lyman or RCBS you can size and lube in one step, but if you decide to powder coat then you have to back the pressure off the lube and then clean the boolits before PC'ing to get any residual lube off. Cost wise the the press will be more and the dies run about $35.00 each.

With the push thru if you have to put lube on to size you will again have to clean before powder coating. They are cheaper, what I like about the NOE is I have about 20 dies that fit in a single plastic tray. So takes up little shelf space and I use them on my Rock Chucker. I also have a old lee press that I c clamp upside down to my bench put a piece of 1.25" tubing on the end and let gravity drop them in a coffee can.

I started using the lee push thru before a friend gave me a LAM (RCBS). I now use the NOE dies since I have gone to PC on pistol boolits and doing big boolits for my 45-90 that I dip lube using SPG black powder lube.

[BLAHUT]

Thank you all for the great ideas and information.

Minerat I looked at the NOE link in your post, but the information is vague. Is the $46 push through size die body what I need to get started? Or should I just bite the boolit and find a used Lyman or RCBS sizing press? Which would be cheaper in the long run?

I have been using the same lee pot I bought many years ago, Lee molds are reasonable cheap, no need to size, shoot as cast till you find if sizing is needed, pan lube is cheap and easy, go slow, get what you need as you need it, too many people dive in and think they need the top of line, best of everything equipment, all that is really needed, is lead, a heat source, a mold, powder, primers, lube, shells, a spoon, a gun to shoot you reloads in. Just have fun, learn, then get better equipment if you really need it ?? YOU can buy the most accurate equipment available, but if you are not all that accurate

[murf205]

Doc, if you will send me your address I have some of Smoke's black powder I will be glad to send to you. It's black but I works great with the shake and bake method. Did you do MTC at Ft Sam Houston. I was there in the summer and you could powder coat on the pavement !!

[jonp]

Stainless pot and ladle from Walmart, mold and your in business. Cast thousands with just that. Lube? Alox is cheap and works

[Combatmedic63]

Doc, if you will send me your address I have some of Smoke's black powder I will be glad to send to you. It's black but I works great with the shake and bake method. Did you do MTC at Ft Sam Houston. I was there in the summer and you could powder coat on the pavement !!

I did train at Ft Sam, started in Aug 81. The riverwalk was a favorite hangout; a little place called Dirty Nellys Irish Pub. Thank you for the generous offer, I will PM you.

[Combatmedic63]

You guys are so great. So much knowledge to run with.

[GregLaROCHE]

I really like the NOE system for sizing and they also have a great system for case expansion too. The big benefit is once you get starred you you only need the new bushings and maybe a push rod if you are changing calibers. I’ve heard a lot of people saying that it’s not easy to figure out what you need to start with on NOE’s site. I believe now days they offer a kit by caliber to get started.

I PC many of my .45 and 30 caliber boolits, but Lee’s Alox works great for my smaller diameter boolits, that I find too hard to keep standing up in the oven.

[Land Owner]

Wow, Greg ^^^ post #5000 ^^^, (as if that had relevance except to say LOYALTY and a tip of the hat to experience offered). I thought it needed a placeholder, in case you had not noticed, as soon it will be 5001 and counting...

Lee molds are inexpensive AND good, if you treat them right. My first mold was/is a Lee, single cavity, aluminum, 357 WC, with handles, economically purchased in the S&S forum here (shipping in a SFRB was almost more than the mold), which came with many "miles" on it. It is STILL my "first love" and favorite. I have poured an additional thousand from it, one at a time. I LIKE shooting "ash cans" for fun down range in both revolver and single shot Handi-rifle.

Thank you for your Service (Vet to Vet).

[Sasquatch-1]

If you decideto go the Lee alox route check the link below. I just checked and it is $14.93, for 32 ozs. I doubt this includes shipping. At Midway a 4 oz. bottle is $8.00.

https://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11

This is an old thread that came up while doing the search for alox.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?76760-Liquid-Xlox-Lube-vs-Alox

[GregLaROCHE]

Thanks Landowner. Sometimes I think my opinions and advice may not make a big difference, but I like to give it anyway and let others decide if it’s needed.

[Walter Laich]

not much to add but . . .

I would be leery of using your kitchen oven to powder coat. PCing gives off fumes and the inside of my wally world is $19--new toaster oven is covered in fine residue.

My PCing gear is a #5 plastic bowl with lid, said toaster oven, Lee push through that's about it. made some wire trays out of hardware cloth and bought an oven thermometer that hands off the wire shelf. Don't trust the dial on them.

I enjoy PCing almost as a second hobby.

[Iowa Fox]

You don't have to spend a lot of money to get into casting. A double cavity lee mold and Lee alox. I wouldn't even size them. If its something that you find enjoyable then you can slowly spend money on equipment upgrades, also you'll have a better feel for where you want to go with equipment.

[Combatmedic63]

Thanks Landowner. Sometimes I think my opinions and advice may not make a big difference, but I like to give it anyway and let others decide if it’s needed.

Let me be the first to tell you that your reply and knowledge is very much appreciated by me. Please continue to share your knowledge with others and never think that it doesn't matter or isn't needed.

[Combatmedic63]

I know I have said a couple of times in this thread, but please know that I appreciate all the knowledge and tips you guys are sharing with me. This forum absolutely has the BEST members of any forum on the internet.

[murf205]

Doc, since you live in Maine, do they allow handgun hunting for moose? Get to work on a pet cast load for your 45 and show us a moose trophy!

[LenH]

When I started casting I was using a Lee 4# pot an Lyman ladle and 2 or 3 different 2 cavity Lyman molds. It was slow and tedious but I was able to keeps shooting.
My brother and I split the cost on a RCBS lube sizer. My brother quit casting but I still have all that old equipment and it still works. I got that stuff in the mid 1970's

Good luck and welcome aboard.

[Combatmedic63]

Doc, since you live in Maine, do they allow handgun hunting for moose? Get to work on a pet cast load for your 45 and show us a moose trophy!

Yes sir, we absolutely can hunt moose with a handgun here. I just have to be lucky enough to win a chance to do so in the lottery.

[ascast]

Combatmedic63 - 1st - thanks for your service 2nd - I have received stuff on the "pay it forward" plan on this site once or twice, so I owe somebody something. So your it. Let me know what you need. I probably have it around. I do not do a lot of sizing. But I may have standard size dies you need. You never said what you plan to shoot caliber wise, or I missed it. I shoot BPCS when I can and the casting is slow and tedious. But I am sure my bullits are round when they drop. Not so sure with 6 cavs going fast for 38's or 9mm's. This may be a factor in your set up and choices. I know I have a few dippers, and Lyman/RCBS spare mold handles. My favortie casting bench is a top from an old electric stove from the side of the road. I wired it for 110 and built a crude suitcase for it. I can run 4 burners at once if I want. Its handy for preheating. PM me with addy and "want" list. welcome aboard

[Combatmedic63]

Combatmedic63 - 1st - thanks for your service 2nd - I have received stuff on the "pay it forward" plan on this site once or twice, so I owe somebody something. So your it. Let me know what you need. I probably have it around. I do not do a lot of sizing. But I may have standard size dies you need. You never said what you plan to shoot caliber wise, or I missed it. I shoot BPCS when I can and the casting is slow and tedious. But I am sure my bullits are round when they drop. Not so sure with 6 cavs going fast for 38's or 9mm's. This may be a factor in your set up and choices. I know I have a few dippers, and Lyman/RCBS spare mold handles. My favortie casting bench is a top from an old electric stove from the side of the road. I wired it for 110 and built a crude suitcase for it. I can run 4 burners at once if I want. Its handy for preheating. PM me with addy and "want" list. welcome aboard

Sorry for the delayed response, I had a shoulder replacement recently and had complications after the surgery. First off, let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for your appreciation of my service in the military, but it was my honor and also my duty to this country, I also thank you for your generous offer to help me out with needed items to start casting. A PM is on the way.

[Wayne Smith]

Doc, just one piece of advice not so far offered. Start with the 45, not because of size but because both the 9mm and 41 Mag are high pressure cartridges, which adds some complications. The 45 is a low pressure cartridge, or to put it another way it has lots of expansion room. This makes it somewhat less challenging to shoot cast. Once you have mastered your 45 then learn the other cartridges. Besides, there's not much you want to do with a pistol that the 45 can't!

[Bigslug]

I want to start out with 9mm, .41 Mag, and .45 colt

CM63,

My own path has lead me to shift toward tumble-lube bullet designs wherever they can work. In my case, that's done in order to save time, but it can save you (at least initially) the need to invest in stick lube, a lube sizer, and sizing dies for those calibers. As the velocities creep up above 1500 fps or so, you'll need to start considering gas checks, at which point the sizers become essential, but for handguns, a TL bullet that drops a sufficiently large diameter (.001" to .002" over groove diameter) will suffice in the autos. For revolvers, the same concept works, but it's USUALLY better to match the bullet to what will slip-fit through the cylinder throats.

I'm using White Label Lube's 45/45/10 to swirl them in.

[Combatmedic63]

Doc, just one piece of advice not so far offered. Start with the 45, not because of size but because both the 9mm and 41 Mag are high pressure cartridges, which adds some complications. The 45 is a low pressure cartridge, or to put it another way it has lots of expansion room. This makes it somewhat less challenging to shoot cast. Once you have mastered your 45 then learn the other cartridges. Besides, there's not much you want to do with a pistol that the 45 can't!

Wayne,
Thank you for the good advice. I am definitely starting with my .45 caliber molds and will work my way up to more difficult calibers.

[Combatmedic63]

CM63,

My own path has lead me to shift toward tumble-lube bullet designs wherever they can work. In my case, that's done in order to save time, but it can save you (at least initially) the need to invest in stick lube, a lube sizer, and sizing dies for those calibers. As the velocities creep up above 1500 fps or so, you'll need to start considering gas checks, at which point the sizers become essential, but for handguns, a TL bullet that drops a sufficiently large diameter (.001" to .002" over groove diameter) will suffice in the autos. For revolvers, the same concept works, but it's USUALLY better to match the bullet to what will slip-fit through the cylinder throats.

I'm using White Label Lube's 45/45/10 to swirl them in.

I'm experimenting with powder coating right now, but I do want to try the 45/45/10 lube. I found a recipe for it that I would like to try and make. Thanks for the advice.