Hello. This is my first post, but I'm a longtime lurker. I have shot cast bullets for a number of years mostly for the nostalgia more so than their performance. . .I have come to learn otherwise. I mostly shoot .44 and .45 caliber hardcast bullets that I purchase commercially and load myself. This past March I had a custom MGM barrel made for my T/C Encore in .445 Super Mag. This cartridge in the T/C platform has exceeded my expectations in long range accuracy. . .3 1/2" groups at 150 yards using 315 grain cast bullets! I have learned a lot searching for load data for the 445SM and it has really peaked my interest in making my own cast bullets for mainly hunting. Now for about the last six weeks I've been plundering around the Net trying to make a list of the best equipment I could afford towards this endeavor. Last weekend I went to an estate sale that had various outdoor gear for sale. In a homemade wood crate I spotted what looked to be a press, upon further inspection it turned out to be a Magma Star lube sizer press with heater plate - the Cadillac of presses! Also in the crate were .451 dies and .357 dies, Lyman 20# electric furnace, Lyman 4-cavity molds for each, ladles, thermometer and other odds-n-ends. . .near everything I needed! I asked the guys what they wanted for the crate and they quickly replied $150.00 but, there is a hitch. . .you have to take the boxes of lead too that are in the back barn. I went back there and to my surprise there were 4, 40mm ammo cans of wheel weights and 1 1/2, 5 gal. pals of 1 lb ingots! I quickly gave the men their money and pulled my truck around and loaded things up. So, between what I have been researching and the goodies I have to work with now has led me to a few questions. I need the knowledge of this Forum - please.
1. I have ordered various styles/weights of bullets in 15 BHN to 22 BHN and it seems all of the four calibers I load for like a 16 to 18 BHN. What recipe with all the COWW available would you recommend to achieve the BHN I need? Do I need to buy linotype. . .water quenching or air dry or heat treat?
2. Should or could I melt all the COWW into ingots and at a later date mix the recipe or should I wait and do it all at once? Will multiple melts be bad for the COWW composition? I've also read about a shelf life in regards to bullets getting softer in years time. . .true/false?
3. Fluxing - if I melt the COWW now into ingots, should I flux then or do it when I make the desired BHN recipe or when I'm actually casting bullets?
4. Is there any "must have" books out there that the Forum recommends for the novice?
I must apologize for being so long winded, I tried the search function, but got overwhelmed - LOL. Any and all positive advice wold be greatly appreciated. I have already been in touch with "Lathesmith" for various items for my press. . .good fella. Thank you for your time.