spot on but you didnt mention most do their own gun repairs etc as well.being self sufficent is what we strive to be.
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I have been reloading, casting ,shooting, building my own guns for 50 plus years. The biggest most prevalent piece of advice I have to give is never a day goes by that I fail to learn something new. It may be great bad or otherwise but still something worth knowing. Always keep your head on a swivel and never accept good enough. Not one person that I have ever met has been born with nor left this earth with universal knowledge. Be passionate about everything you do and you will accomplish much
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Hi guys, new to this forum.
I haven't ever tried to cast. I'm mid 40's, have reloaded some in the past, but have always just bought bullets.
I've recently gotten into a couple of calibers that I think casting might be a good thing (30 Carbine, subsonic 300BLK, and 45/70) so figured I'd try to find out what I can.
I must say it's more than "Melting some lead and dumping it into a mold until it hardens"
Somewhat of an overwhelming amount of information, but I'll nose around and see what I can learn.
Thanks for having me!
[I]am pretty much a newbie here, I only cast for my muzzleloader at this time. I read more here than asking questions If I don't understand something I have read in the various forums will ask for assistance. I have learned a fair bit. I know that any questions I have have already been asked and answered before. I learned reloading as much by reading as asking questions. [I] have only been casting for a couple years but have learned from the experience of others more experienced than myself. I also express my thankfulness to people who have shared. I call those that shared information My Gurus, so THANK YOU for being here for us newbies!
I'm in the "could not agree" camp if there is one.
Not every question applies to everyone and not every answer applies to every question.
Sure reading a few hundred or more pages of sticky posts may zero a newbie in, but I can see why newbies on a 4" mobile device would prefer not poring over the whole site.
Also there may be lots of lurkers who may be considering casting, sizing, or powder coating and do not know which questions to ask, reading redundant posts sheds more light on them than heat. I for one no not see a single problem with newbies asking Q's that have been answered somewhere. Let's face it, this board is full of knowledge, and helpful peeps. Sites where experienced members say "Google is your friend" gather no friends, or members.
Just IMO.
On some boards, a post like mine would start a flame war, will it here? likely not.
What that guy said, right there.
I've always found it curious that people have the time to stop reading forum posts long enough to post something like "Google is your friend" (BTW, does that mean Google to find another forum to join?), rather than at least something like "If you look through the sub-forum on military rifles, you'll find discussion on that topic".
It's like they never learned how to use the magic button to deal with new threads/questions that annoy them...
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[QUOTE=MOC031;5029803 post something like "Google is your friend" (BTW, does that mean Google to find another forum to join?)[/QUOTE]
I ran into that attitude in the Service.
I'd get stumped on something that wasn't in the NAVAIR manuals,
and before I called the Tech-Rep, or Sikorsky, I'd ask one of the old gurus.
When they'd tell me to go look it up in 'the book', it'd burn me up.
My come back was always, "I have, and it ain't in there. If you don't know either,, just say so".
Recluse great post and I am glad I noticed it. I am new to this site but have always noticed great info and have learned a great deal here as well.
Well I guess I am a Handloader moving up to Boollet Caster. I have been reloading for 21 years and just started getting into the casting part of it. As you can see I don't post much and that is do to the mass amount of Stickies and pages here. I was discouraged by a smart *** comment from an Old Member early on with just about the same Google it / Read the stickies comment. The issue I had was there is so much information that it is a little over whelming to try to find the answer to your questions rather than just ask again. Some of these threads have over 100 pages of comment. My view is better to ask the question than blow up a gun or screw something up.
I'm a Handloader that's had a short dabble in Boolit casting. I'm definitely in your "Instant Gratification" generation but I know its pitfalls, and I know from experience that taking your time and getting things done without needing to show off too much is a reward all its own. That, and the applications where these things are published are heavily monitored and monetized. I'm not looking for "Internet Clout" or anything like that. Depending on what you do, your internet fame or infamy can fade into obscurity, or trouble you for a lifetime. Rather not take that kind of gamble to be honest.
I've been reloading for less than a year but my careful procedures and personal emphasis on safety has lead to great success in my reloading efforts. As a fairly new firearms owner as well, I've had to start from 0 in terms of ammunition and supplies. Now, I have a supply of rounds large enough to take a monthly 50rnd excursion to the range for a year and a half.Obviously, I'd never have enough ammunition to become familiar with my first firearm without reloading. Otherwise, I'd have to deal with the casino that is Gunbroker at the current moment for table scraps.
I've stayed on the straight and narrow in terms of powder charge as well. I'm not looking to put myself in danger, just to replace what's lost in training. Not to mention, I know I need to build my confidence, so I'm just starting on Light/Medium Loads. I'd have to say that the most important thing that helped me get started was the Digital documents provided by other Gunloads members, as well as my physical copy of Richard Lee's latest handloading manual. It's very useful to have multiple manuals handy, even if they are digital, since you can get a second opinion on a load.
I'd done some research on reloading over Summer 2020, but that was under the assumption that things would get better and I wouldn't have to get started until later. Now, I've got my head in the game and I feel ready to become a more confident revolver user. I won't get any better without practice, and reloading is the only way I can do it! I'm really glad that there's a bundle of experts on here to ask some really dumb sounding questions when they arise.
I am 70 and have been reloading and shooting since I was 16. I have posted several ideas on this forum to try and help. There is always somebody that wants to try and shoot the idea down or say that has already been done. I even had one guy try and steal one of my ideas and take credit for it. I am done posting ideas. The old guys are dying off and I am seriously concerned with casting and reloading surviving with this new generation. I guess I am torn. There are some of the new guys that are hungry and want to learn. Then,you get those that want to argue with you. The one thing I can say to the new guys. Don't run with the herd.Experiment and try different things (as long as you do it safely). There are a lot of myths and misconceptions in this obession. I don't call it a hobby,with me it is an obession.
I’ve read some stickies, sometimes speed reading to find the good meat. Some stickies are so long you can get in to analysis paralysis, so I start tinkering. I can get tunnel vision while tinkering, then I ask a question that was answered in a sticky I read. I often forget I’m relatively easy going, and I have zero problems looking stupid. Doesn’t bother me to talk to myself here as long as no one minds that the forum becomes a place for me to put my experimentation notes. I just hope my curiosity isn’t so void of experience that no one learns anything from my notes.
I’ve been on another forum where I was instructed to read the Jerry Kuhnhausen’s manual on the 1911 instead of asking questions on a forum. Well, I had read that manual and my situation was not covered there. Now l, they don’t know how I got my 3” 1911 working reliably (started out horrible), and they don’t know why reloading the .357 SIG is easy.
I can tinker only while my kids are asleep. If you’ll excuse my ignorance and forgetfulness, I’ll share what I learn.
Also, as sad as it is, online forums are the only place some of us have to talk about guns. I don’t know any reloaders, casters, or DYI gunsmiths. So some questions are folks just reaching out to people - reading stickies isn’t reaching out to people.
Sorry for not being able to communicate these realities more gracefully, and thanks to those who are willing to train us white belts.
Welcome , glad you are all here.
Just like any group we have both inconsiderate and considerate members and some comments that look rude are more due to poor communication skills than attitude and some are just rude.
Some folks see the no. of posts that a person has a sign of how experienced they are and that is a poor measurement so please don't be offended . The forum is much like a lot of families you have some that work as a team and some that see the opinion they have is the only one that matters.
But most here are considerate and helpful . Some of our members have worked in the shooting industry for many years , some competitive shooters for years , some basically hobby shooters/hunters (me) and some new and just learning.
Ignore the rude ones and help the ones with questions where you can .
There are a lot of reasons that you may not get a constructive reply to a post . It is hard sometimes to know what sub-forum to post in that can make a big difference . Some posts are seen as informative but not requiring a response , and some are worded where it is hard to understand the question or lacks the information to give a good response , if you see confusion in the responses give more information to make sure us dummy's understand what you are asking :) another thing that can help is your background in loading and shooting are you new to it all or have been loading for 50 years it makes a difference on what responses you get.
Be patient with us just like any large group we have all kinds of folks and no one person is representative of us all .
Post on :)
Forgive me to get into the subject, because I am a very newbie ... Lead is separated by amalgamation, mercury is generally used, then it is easier to separate the mercury from the lead.
Been at this an and boy for 75 years.
I still consider myself a nubie.
Im definately a novice...heck I dont even do my own casting YET.... there is a fine fellow in north island who sells cast boolits at reasonable price,has a LOT of people using his offerings with good results.
I shall endevour to not ask too many dumb questions without looking for answers first. and I shall not get too upset when you greybeards chip me when I step out of line or in ignorance post something that is a dumb thing to do...its how I learn,listen to the grey beards,they got old by being smart enough not to expire before the best by date...
there is an old saying
youth is wasted on the young.......oh how true,what I would give to still have the strength and get up n go I had as an eighteen year old...my fifty year old body isnt quite as good anymore...by 70 I shall be knackered... but thats OK.
Duck,
Welcome to Cast Boolits! Ask away, there are no dumb questions here. You may not get a straightforward answer but will get a link to the correct answer. Be sure to read the rules in Swapin & Sellin and the TOS at the top of any page. If you have any technical questions on how the forum works just Private Message (PM) any of the Moderators (Mods) and we will be glad to help.
the only dumb question is one you SHOULD HAVE asked and didnt,leading to doing something dumb or dangerous...
I just want to take a second to thank all the casuals and new shooters. Without them the hand full of bullet wizards would have no material support. The reason we have so many mould manufactures and die makers is that thousands and thousands of people buy these products. I'm glad I live in a time when I can still buy a mould for $25 online and make good boolits. Without so many people giving it a shot we'd have to rely on expensive hand made one off products and the community would be much worse off for it.
it seems like this thread needs to come up to the light again.
Recluse: I enjoyed your thoughts and dissertation. Have been casting boolits and reloading for over 50 years. Try to teach younger guys like my grandsons casting and reloading. Even their friends are interested. But being an old fart I try to keep an open mind. A friend asked why I still vibrate my brass in walnut shells?? He showed me his stainless pin tumbling on brass. My old vibrator tubs are getting dusty now. The pin tumbler with Dawn soap and citric acid now makes my brass look like new. If he had not made the comment, I would still be vibrating brass with walnut shells! An old dog can still learn a new trick!!!!
I've been reloading for about 45 years and casting for about 10 years (nubie by forum comparison)
I cast from 22lr to 50 Beowulf and got started casting when I joined Cowboy Action shooting. Saved a lot of money and it is fun to cast a "perfect bullet".
Many thanks to the people at LA shooting club(LASC.com) for their website that teaches the metallurgy behind boolit casting.
Next step is to upgrade to wet tumbling brass. tumbler is under construction right now. I learn so much every time I come to this forum. Thanks for the Edjumacation!