Casting lead bullets

[davek8s]

Here is a lot of useful info.

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm

I found the part of hardness particularly helpful regarding leading in the barrel. Not all lead is the same. I highly recommend Lee tumble lube molds, and would venture to say that resizing has proven to be not necessary with them. My 45 and 44 both come out virtually perfect. Thanks Lee Precision for making this easy. If you get near Santa Rosa I can run you through an intro.

Dave

Next time you go to Harbor Freight pick up a cast iron dutch oven(https://www.harborfreight.com/12-inc...ven-44705.html). Works great for melting lead scrap and blending.

[anyracoon]

Just sent you a PM on lead

[koehn,jim]

Try Rotometals for lead, their prices are not to bad and they stock number tow alloy.

[RiskyBusiness]

Am I the only one who cast while wearing shorts and sandals with no face gear? I do wear some rubber gloves just thick enough to protect me from holding a hot bullet

[Kokopelli]

Am I the only one who cast while wearing shorts and sandals with no face gear? I do wear some rubber gloves just thick enough to protect me from holding a hot bullet

Back in the day, California used to have shop classes and in junior high I took metal shop. The teacher used to pour molten aluminum for us when we made moulds for the handles of screw drivers that we hammered from steel rod. The teacher's face, hands and arms were badly scarred from splashes of molten metal that happened over the years.

Molten metal should be taken seriously and handled carefully. Use every safety precaution. Stay safe.

[koehn,jim]

I hope you never get a visit from the tinsel fairy, it only takes one mistake when casting to change your viewpoint. We wear safety gear for a reason, if you choose not to that's your decision, I wish you luck.

[bruce381]

Also any tips for a beginner?

Gloves and eye protection.


Cast HOT first timers want perfect boolots right at the start but get MOLD and ALLOY up to temp then the bullets will be nice and fillout.

Anything NOT perfect dump back into pot.

Start with cheapo lee stuff forget the high dollar molds, sizers and 6 cavity molds till you know what you are doing that's why I recommend the tumble lube molds lee has.

[rsrocket1]

Am I the only one who cast while wearing shorts and sandals with no face gear? I do wear some rubber gloves just thick enough to protect me from holding a hot bullet

I always use gloves, a cheap Harbor Freight face shield, full length denim jeans and a denim long sleeve shirt no matter what the temperature is outside. I've peeled off little splashes of lead from the shirt, pants and face shield and would hate to have had them land on my skin. Just dumping the sprue back into the pot will cause a small splash that can send small drops of lead splashing a pretty long distance. It wouldn't be fun to have one land in your eye.

[EMR]

Am I the only one who cast while wearing shorts and sandals with no face gear? I do wear some rubber gloves just thick enough to protect me from holding a hot bullet

I wear shorts and sandals, but I wear eye pro and leather gloves.

[bruce381]

rookie I cast in shorts and bare feet LOL

[davek8s]

rookie I cast in shorts and bare feet LOL

[Tom-ADC]

I just registered there last night, but haven’t had a chance to really look at it.


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Good move there are a lot of folks willing to help out. I have cast for years 357/38, 45ACP, 44 mag a friend and I went in together and bought all the supplies & Bob had good access to linotype & wheel weights. We cast so many up that when he died unexpectedly I sold everything BUT then I bought a Sharps and went back casting for it. Have enough cast up I probably won't do much anymore. I like the Lee lead pots have two a dipper type & bottom pour I like the Lyman molds haven't used the Lee though. Too bad your not closer.

[koehn,jim]

Good job on having brains enough to wear proper safety gear. You might also look at NOE molds they are more expensive but worth it. The Lee 6 cavity pistol molds work good and make a pile of boolits quick.

[davek8s]

Good job on having brains enough to wear proper safety gear. You might also look at NOE molds they are more expensive but worth it. The Lee 6 cavity pistol molds work good and make a pile of boolits quick.