CIDSarge
05-29-2010, 11:53 PM
Nothing like a newbie to start a **** storm on their first post...BUT I'm a total newbie to casting (but have loaded 40-50K commercially cast bullets through the years) and am compiling my buy list to get into the hobby. Informal target/training loads are my intended usage for the ammo.
First off, I'll be casting for 45ACP only initially. The only two additional calibers likely to ever be added are 9MM and .40 S&W (in that order). For smelting wheel weights, I already have a propane turkey fryer on hand and will find a used cast iron Dutch oven or similar cast iron vessel and will cast into muffin pans.
For casting gear, I'm looking at a Lee Pro 4-20, a Lee 6 cavity mold (with the separate handles, of course) and intend to size using a Lee sizing die mounted on a tool head of my Lee Classic Turret which houses misc. dies. My intention is to pan or tumble lube.
First question...are these good choices for a beginner for the intended application? Second, when it comes to bullet design....tumble lube or non-tumble groove bullet? Lastly, I've seen folks lubing the Lee sizing DIE with Alox rather than the boolits then pan sizing. Is this a wise and valid procedure?
Comments solicited from the peanut gallery.
First off, I'll be casting for 45ACP only initially. The only two additional calibers likely to ever be added are 9MM and .40 S&W (in that order). For smelting wheel weights, I already have a propane turkey fryer on hand and will find a used cast iron Dutch oven or similar cast iron vessel and will cast into muffin pans.
For casting gear, I'm looking at a Lee Pro 4-20, a Lee 6 cavity mold (with the separate handles, of course) and intend to size using a Lee sizing die mounted on a tool head of my Lee Classic Turret which houses misc. dies. My intention is to pan or tumble lube.
First question...are these good choices for a beginner for the intended application? Second, when it comes to bullet design....tumble lube or non-tumble groove bullet? Lastly, I've seen folks lubing the Lee sizing DIE with Alox rather than the boolits then pan sizing. Is this a wise and valid procedure?
Comments solicited from the peanut gallery.