Casting

[racinjason233]

[noylj]

You can do it all yourself.
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4Th Edition, Multiple, Model:9817004
$22.89
RCBS and Lyman make very good molds. Find one you like in your caliber.
Get a lead pot to melt the lead.
Flux lead with wax, bullet lube, or even dry sawdust.
Place mold on top of pot while melting and fluxing lead to warm it up.
Be sure mold is completely degreased. You can spray it with graphite powder or:
Frankford Arsenal Drop Out Bullet Mold Release Agent and Lube 6 oz Aerosol
$12.99
Will you bottom-pour or lead dipper? Need lead pot with bottom pour capability if you want to bottom pour.
I preferred a bottom-pour, but many love to ladle their lead.
You pour the lead and allow excess to gather on top of mold, let the sprue harden, knock it off, and drop your bullet(s). If you work too fast, the sprue doesn't harden fast enough and you start to smear lead over the top of the mold. If you pour too slow, you get a cold mold that will give wrinkly bullets.
When done, take the bullet and tumble lube with Lee Liquid Alox or 45/45/10. Don't bother sizing.
Wear gloves and safety glasses (or face shield) and stand up.

[TKM]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php

[bohoki]

i just use a coleman stove a 6 inch skillet and a spoon

what kind of molds do you have?

its not hard just remember that lead is heavy and hot wear long sleeve cotton shirt, cotton pants (jeans), socks and shoes

ive talked others through lead casting i'll have to see if i can find those threads

[2761377]

it's been about a year since I started casting. I originally went with the "cheapest/simplest" mindset and used a pot and stove with ladle.

now I recommend the Lee production pot. You can get them for $70 shipped on Amazon.

Lee moulds are also a good value. they're aluminum and are less sensitive to variables in heating.

good luck, you really should be able to figure it out by yourself.

[koehn,jim]

Castboolits is an excellent source of information. There are also numerous videos on the internet. You should buy a copy of Lymans cast bullet manual it has loads in it. If you have a specific question send me a pm and I will answer it. I have about 30 years experience. It is not hard but needs attention to safety pratices. The lead is very hot and hurtfull. It is a good way to make sure you have a constant supply of ammo. What caliber are you going to load.

[kevins750]

I use a Lee bottom pour with a PID and Lee moulds.

I have never smoked a Lee mold, just clean with brake cleaner and rub with new toothbrush
Wax the aligning pins and sprew pivot just before pouring.

I set the mold on top of the pot while mix is melting and then dip corner in a couple of minutes before first pours.

Don't flux your pour pot with sawdust use cheap tea lite candles from the dollar store.

I water drop rifle bullets and towel drop pistol bullets.

[bigbossman]

I water drop rifle bullets and towel drop pistol bullets.

Meaning, you drop the bullets hot out of the mold into a bucket of water?

[kevins750]

Meaning, you drop the bullets hot out of the mold into a bucket of water?

Yes, quenching quickly in water hardens the projectile.

[bigbossman]

Yes, quenching quickly in water hardens the projectile.

Good to know. Why not for pistol bullets though? Why water drop for one, and towel drop for the other?

[kevins750]

Good to know. Why not for pistol bullets though? Why water drop for one, and towel drop for the other?

I don't need a "hard" bullet for 45acp(only pistol I reload) my mix is hard enough without any other help.

Also powder coat curing heat slightly lowers the BHN (hardness) of the boolit, so water dropping gives you a little more hardness before powder coat takes away some hardness.

powder coating is a whole different animal in its own.

Generally lead mixture is softer for pistol than rifle.

[Sailormilan2]

I have Lyman, RCBS, Saeco, and MiHec molds. Lymans can be slightly undersized. Mine are 4 cavity steel and do well. RCBS are often out of round. My prefered molds are Saeco(expensive) and MiHec aluminum molds. I have 4 of the Mihec molds two 6 cavity(.432 and .452), and 2 8 cavity(.358 and .357/9mm). They work really well and drop bullets really fast. I have 2 4 cavity Saeco molds(.360 rifle and .357 heavy 9mm/38 Super). They work really well but being 4 cavity, they aren't as fast as the Mihec. They use smaller blocks than the Lyman 4 cavity molds, so they are lighter and easier to use.

[bigbossman]

I don't need a "hard" bullet for 45acp(only pistol I reload) my mix is hard enough without any other help.

Also powder coat curing heat slightly lowers the BHN (hardness) of the boolit, so water dropping gives you a little more hardness before powder coat takes away some hardness.

powder coating is a whole different animal in its own.

Generally lead mixture is softer for pistol than rifle.

I appreciate the info, thanks. I do not cast, and do not foresee a time when I might start. But I know fellows that do, and the process does interest me. Who knows..... the day might come when I trip over a box of casting stuff for cheap at a garage sale somewhere, and it doesn't hurt to know a little bit more about something.

[someoneeasy]

A PID will change your life, highly recommend it. OP, just watch some youtube and try casting some. If you mess up, toss it back in the pot and try again.

[NapalmCheese]

I appreciate the info, thanks. I do not cast, and do not foresee a time when I might start. But I know fellows that do, and the process does interest me. Who knows..... the day might come when I trip over a box of casting stuff for cheap at a garage sale somewhere, and it doesn't hurt to know a little bit more about something.

I picked up my lead pot for 8 bucks at an estate sale along with some 9mm molds... I still have yet to use it but I got a deal on it!