509thsfs
05-09-2010, 09:47 PM
I started casting in 1994 due to dumb luck and a sort of need. For a couple years I shot in our unit PPC league while stationed in MI. Before the 1st match I noticed I needed some cast boolits and also to check zero on my .357. I checked with a local shop and found he had hand cast 162 gr LSWC/GC's that he cast himself. I bought a couple 100, loaded some up with my target/comp recipe, headed to the range and shot 2 groups of 6 at 25 yds with My Ruger Security Six that were each one hole groups easily covered by a quarter. Went back to the shop and told him I'd buy all he had.
A couple years later I moved and was stationed in MO. A guy I shot with in MI was there and I told him I missed getting those boolits from the guy there. He laughed and said "guess what, I have that mold. Bought it when he closed the shop because the base was closing". I told him name his price!! Bought the mold, Lee melting pot, and RCBS lubrisizer, sizing die and top punch off of him for $50. Bought a casting book and a bucket of WW's from the local scrap yard ($25) and I was in business!
Here's one reason I stayed with it. I got my last 4 buckets of WW's FREE over last week. 2 of the buckets were melted down and I got 148 lbs of lead. 150 lbs will be used and cast price of only one manufacturer used for the comparison for this example.
.38 cal 158gr - 150 lb WW's = 6600 free boolits. Commercial price per 1000 = $110
.45 cal 230 gr - 150 lbs WW's = 4650 free boolits. Commercial price per 1000 = $108
.41 mag 215 gr -150 lb WW's = 4800 free boolits. Commercial price per 1000 = $128
9mm 125 gr - 150 lbs WW's = 8400 free boolits. Commercial price per 1000 = $104
Not too bad a trade off for a little extra time and work. But, it's not work when you enjoy it.
A couple years later I moved and was stationed in MO. A guy I shot with in MI was there and I told him I missed getting those boolits from the guy there. He laughed and said "guess what, I have that mold. Bought it when he closed the shop because the base was closing". I told him name his price!! Bought the mold, Lee melting pot, and RCBS lubrisizer, sizing die and top punch off of him for $50. Bought a casting book and a bucket of WW's from the local scrap yard ($25) and I was in business!
Here's one reason I stayed with it. I got my last 4 buckets of WW's FREE over last week. 2 of the buckets were melted down and I got 148 lbs of lead. 150 lbs will be used and cast price of only one manufacturer used for the comparison for this example.
.38 cal 158gr - 150 lb WW's = 6600 free boolits. Commercial price per 1000 = $110
.45 cal 230 gr - 150 lbs WW's = 4650 free boolits. Commercial price per 1000 = $108
.41 mag 215 gr -150 lb WW's = 4800 free boolits. Commercial price per 1000 = $128
9mm 125 gr - 150 lbs WW's = 8400 free boolits. Commercial price per 1000 = $104
Not too bad a trade off for a little extra time and work. But, it's not work when you enjoy it.