Looking into casting my own bullets

[DragonDJ11]

I'm thinking about getting into casting my own bullets and everything I've read so far is about getting free or cheap wheel weights. Well if I understand correctly, that won't work in our state. Is there other good ways to source cheap lead?

[dsltech]

Try going to your local range and asking nicely if they will sell you lead from their backstop. If you need to pay for lead, THE CAPTAIN on Cast Boolits sells 50lbs+ shipped for $63. That is basically $1 a pound plus USPS flat rate shipping. She sells range lead, clip on ww and stick on ww. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ice&highlight=

[koehn,jim]

The castboolits website is a wealth of information. At the start of each sub-section are stickys read them they have a lot of good info. The Captain is great to deal with. She is very fair and quick.

[TKM]

Berm mining. The only good thing about closed shooting spots is that you can dig in peace.

[Maht_g]

Try asking at local scrap yards. We buy lead for $1/pound, prime stuff with no waste. Lead flashing, scuba weights, Linotype, clean blocks etc... it’s way more than they sell it for normally, and cash talks.

Edit: sometimes you also find a sweet cache of brass too. I’ve found cleaned, sorted, bagged and labeled once fired brass more than once.

[wbunning]

You can get hardcast lead (16 BHN) from acmebullets.com for aboyt $2.00/lb and you won’t need to alloy it when you need harder than range scrap.

Get the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and read it before you start.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/867465/lyman-cast-bullet-handbook-4th-edition-book

Amazon has it too.

[DragonDJ11]

Thanks, I will check out that source. I will be getting a manual, before beginning.

[divingin]

Another source:

https://www.rotometals.com/bullet-casting-alloys/

[Abenaki]

You have been given some great advice.

Never forget that with cast boolits that ......Size is king....Lube is Queen and hardness is a ugly stepchild!!!

So, what are you going to cast for?

As for lead. Ask every person you know, if they have any lead lying around.
You would be amazed at what turns up.

What type of lube are you going to use?

Never listen to those that bad mouth shooting cast boolits. Most have no clue what they are talking about!

Take care
Abenaki

[DragonDJ11]

I'm going to be casting for .40 and .45 I'm planning to powder coat instead of fighting with lubes.

[wbunning]

I'm going to be casting for .40 and .45 I'm planning to powder coat instead of fighting with lubes.

Cool! Start watching local garage sales for a convection-type toaster oven. I found mine in a thrift shop for 3 dollars.


I use these bins to bake my bullets. Two will just fit side x side in my oven (pull the plastic feet off first). They work great:

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/org-powder-coated-6-inch-x-9-inch-mesh-drawer-organizer-in-silver/1047180192

[bruce381]

Try going to your local range and asking nicely if they will sell you lead from their backstop. If you need to pay for lead, THE CAPTAIN on Cast Boolits sells 50lbs+ shipped for $63. That is basically $1 a pound plus USPS flat rate shipping. She sells range lead, clip on ww and stick on ww. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...ice&highlight=

Great now everyone will know about her LOL great lead been using her for years

[M1NM]

You'll want harder lead for the 40 it's fast enough to lead the barrel. The 45 will work with anything.

[pdq_wizzard]

You'll want harder lead for the 40 it's fast enough to lead the barrel. The 45 will work with anything.

If he is going to powdercoat that will be less of an issue.


Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[koehn,jim]

Before you pick up a mold be sure and slug the barrels to find out what diameter you need. Not all 45s take a .452 some need a .451 or larger. The best part about casting is being able to customize the bullet to the weapon.