Another new guy signing in....
I found this forum on Bullshop's webpage. I'm going to be a customer of his until I get up and running myself. I know didley squat about casting, but it's something I plan to get into.
A little about me: I'm an avid outdoorsman originally from California (don't hold that against me). I currently live in Wasilla, Alaska when I'm not deployed, as I am now. (Afghanistan) I'm in the 4th brigade, airborne 25th infantry division US Army, stationed at Fort Richardson.
Married, four kids (so far) and I love hunting, fishing, riding ATVs and snowmachines, motorcycles, hiking, camping, shooting, etc.
The guns I will be casting for once I get started are a Marlin 1895M (450 Marlin) and a S&W 460V. The rest of my guns are better suited to modern jacketed bullets. (1911 45 ACP, Marlin XS7 .243, Remington 770 .300 WM) I suppose I could probably cast for the 1911, and I may have a go at some slugs for the old Mossberg 500.
I'm an avid handloader, and currently about 75% of the ammo I fire is handloads. I usually only buy factory ammo if I need new brass.
I'm looking forward to learning the craft, and maybe someday I'll even be able to offer some words of wisdom of my own. :wink:
Thanks for the warm welcome!
Gents, thanks for the welcome! I suppose the 1911 would be a prime candidate for casting - low velocity so there's not much risk of leading. I guess I just never really considered casting for it because I've been handloading so long for 45 ACP with jacketed bullets. That might actually be the best one to "cut my teeth" on for casting.
Dale53 - My 1911 is new - I'll be picking it up when I get home. It's a Para Ordnance hi-cap. (Got a deal on it - commemorative pistol for my brigade for this deployment) I'll probably try a few different bullet profiles with my handloads first to see what feeds, then I'll have a better idea of what boolit molds to get.
Dan - thanks! I'll do that.
Tazman - too late! I've already saved quite a bit of money handloading. But then, I'm a frugal fella when it comes to equipment anyway. I've been using the Lee anniversary kit for a few years now, and it works fine. It's probably paid for itself at least twice so far.
As for casting for the 300 WM, I have a good supply (about 500) of cheap jacketed bullets, most of which I've picked up at gun shows for practice. I'll use those for everyday shooting, and save my Swift A Frames and Nosler partitions for the hunting loads.