Anyone cast their own bullets?

[wilit]

Or boolits for you purists?

I've been thinking of casting my own (mostly 9mm, .45acp, .38/.357). What's a good beginner setup? Or, maybe if AR15Barrels would make a sticky post for casting, that'd be WAY awesome.

[mif_slim]

It's easy. I've been using 40sw mold for a looong time since that and slugs/buckshots are the only boolits I cast, my setup is a sauce pot that's cast iron, holds about 10lbs for about 6 bucks, a stainless steel set of measuring spoons(1 tablespoon, 1/2 table spoon, etc) at walmart for 3 bucks, a electric burner I got from walgreens for 9 bucks and eyes and hand protection. Entire setup cost about 20 bucks. Then the molds and I was set to cast! Hehe of course some might disagree with my setup but it has made thousands of rounds for my training purposes so I can't complain.

[chris]

i do. but it's for my 45-70. it's not that expensive to do it the mould is what really cost me a bit. but the material for Lead, Tin can be found at decent prices if you look for it. i use rotometals.com. they are pretty fast at delivering your stuff and the price not too bad.

[gunboat]

Bullet casting in itself is not too expensive, but sizing and lubing can run costs up considerably. Like most areas of reloading you trade money for time --
A lubricator/sizer, even used, is probably not less than $100 and can be several hundred dollars, plus the dies for each diameter.

However a lot of bullets have been finished using a shallow pan to heat and hold lube, a "cake cutter" (made from an old case) to get the bullet out of the lube and a 310 hand sizer or equal to size.
I think Lee has a similar type sizer but not quite as cheap --
my ha-penny

[bohoki]

i do 9mm and .45

ive gone the cheapest route humanly possible

2 lee 2 cav molds the round nose tumble lube for 9 and 45
the lee sizing dies one in .356 and one in .452 they came with tumble lube juice

i started out but a little baggie of wheelweights i begged from a walmart tire installer cause i bought new fronts one day

then i got a 5 gallon bucket of scrap from an indoor range

gathered my "gear"



made some ingots of the funky stuff



made me some bullets



loaded up some cartridges



wheeee



i made this

never had one lesson

here is the casting specific things

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=343992

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=116429

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=141131

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=517501

to make the molds not sticky i smoked them with a propane torch with the air holes taped to make lots of soot and use a spoon to fill them
i cut the tumble lube with a little mineral spirits and swirl them around in a gallon ice cream bucket leaving them to dry in the sun on a sheet of wax paper

[wilit]

How important is the sizing dies? I see some people mentioned them, while others didn't.

[NaughtyMonkey]

Thats really cool. Looks fun to do to. Cost effective?

[gunboat]

Without trying to write a book -- depends -- If your mould casts a bullet that is round and the right diameter you only "need" to lube. Most moulds do not.
A sizing die reduces the bullet to the correct diameter and makes it round. Older moulds or the new ones made with a cherry vary in size as the cherry wears.
Moulds made by numerical control lathe or mill generally stay the same size but often are not exactly round.
Another factor is the composition of the "lead" mixture. Different mixtures cool to slightly different diameters.
my ha-penny

[CSDGuy]

I don't... yet. I'll be getting some reloading equipment this month. Aside from .45 ACP, I don't know what I'll be able to reload with that equipment. I've got my eye on this topic so that when I start, I'll be better able to reload safely. Good to know about possibly needing a sizing die.

Ultimately, I'll be reloading for .45, .40, and .30-06 (for an M1).

[Guns R Tools]

CA is phasing out lead wheel weights.
Better stock up on wheel weights.

http://www.changecalifornia.org/2009/05/leadwheelweights.html

[mif_slim]

Thats really cool. Looks fun to do to. Cost effective?

Just think. If you get a good deal per bullet can cost 0.01, sometimes, free. Cost effective? I would say so.

[tamalpias]

i do 9mm and .45

ive gone the cheapest route humanly possible

You sir is insane!