Plated Bullets vs Cast Bullets

[ExtremeX]

[JAGGUY]

I cast because I can have bullets whenever I want without looking for them, as long as my stash of lead holds out. Plus it's cheap...
Plus I just like doing the whole shooting experience.

Proper casting and sizing and loads never ends up fouling barrels, but there is a science to it that does require some research to do it right.
I am retired so time is never a factor.....

[G60]

If I could get plated 9mm 124/125gr bullets for $59/1k, I would.

What cast bullets & what plated bullets are you looking at where there isn't a significant cost savings?

[DarkSoul]

I shoot so much (and therefore reload alot), so I just don't want the possible health issues associated with dealing with so much lead. Not only handling it, being around it in a molten state, and of course shooting it (a small amount gets vaporized when you fire) that the added cost of buying copper plated/jacketed is worth it to me.

[ExtremeX]

I was comparing prices here for 9mm cast vs plated.

http://www.xtremebullets.com/cast.htm

I kind of want to give casting my own bullets a try, seems like a fun way to save money and get more involved in the reloading process.

Looks like I have a lot to learn stuff about this topic, cast bullets are a new thing to me.

How does one lube cast bullets at home?

[ExtremeX]

I shoot so much (and therefore reload alot), so I just don't want the possible health issues associated with dealing with so much lead. Not only handling it, being around it in a molten state, and of course shooting it (a small amount gets vaporized when you fire) that the added cost of buying copper plated/jacketed is worth it to me.

[XDRoX]

Health concerns are really not an issue. The temperatures of melting lead are no where close to it vaporizing. You can cast safely in the comfort of our own house without health concerns. Assuming you're using clean lead ingots. Making ingots is a very hazardous activity. It stinks and smokes toxins all over the place. I did it in the garage once and felt sick for two days.

Be warned ExtremeX. Casting is just as involved as reloading if not more so. A lot goes into it. And a good luber costs a lot. You can tumble lube for cheap but it's not as good.

Regarding cost. I currently reload 9mm for just under $5 per 50 rounds.
With my own cast bullets made from free wheel weights and scrap lead I can load 50 rounds for just over $2. Bullets are the main cost of reloading remember.

It takes a lot of time and it takes a lot of experience to cast good bullets.
I don't do it because I don't have the time any more. But it is fun and rewarding.

[MIAMIbaseballer]

Health concerns are really not an issue. The temperatures of melting lead are no where close to it vaporizing. You can cast safely in the comfort of our own house without health concerns. Assuming you're using clean lead ingots. Making ingots is a very hazardous activity. It stinks and smokes toxins all over the place. I did it in the garage once and felt sick for two days.

Be warned ExtremeX. Casting is just as involved as reloading if not more so. A lot goes into it. And a good luber costs a lot. You can tumble lube for cheap but it's not as good.

Regarding cost. I currently reload 9mm for just under $5 per 50 rounds.
With my own cast bullets made from free wheel weights and scrap lead I can load 50 rounds for just over $2. Bullets are the main cost of reloading remember.

It takes a lot of time and it takes a lot of experience to cast good bullets.
I don't do it because I don't have the time any more. But it is fun and rewarding.

How long does it take to make 100 bullets?

[DarkSoul]

Health concerns are really not an issue. The temperatures of melting lead are no where close to it vaporizing. You can cast safely in the comfort of our own house without health concerns. Assuming you're using clean lead ingots. Making ingots is a very hazardous activity. It stinks and smokes toxins all over the place. I did it in the garage once and felt sick for two days.

Im not trying to disuede anyone from making their own lead bullets, but Actually, health concerns are a real issue, lead can be absorbed through the skin if handled a lot, and the vaporization I was referring to is from shooting lead, although outdoors is not really an issue, indoors most certainly is, if you do it a lot.

I have not cast my own, but bringing any metal to a molten state presents more hazards than normal, again, assuming you are an intelligent and cautious person, probably a non issue, and as for handling, again........ if you wear gloves, and take precautions to avoid or minimize your exposure, it's probably a non issue.

Lead is bad stuff, period, so you just want to take a little more caution in working with it. I am actually interested in trying to cast my own as well, but I have enough things going on now, I don't need yet another addiction.

[pdq_wizzard]

Im not trying to disuede anyone from making their own lead bullets, but Actually, health concerns are a real issue, lead can be absorbed through the skin if handled a lot, and the vaporization I was referring to is from shooting lead, although outdoors is not really an issue, indoors most certainly is, if you do it a lot.

I have not cast my own, but bringing any metal to a molten state presents more hazards than normal, again, assuming you are an intelligent and cautious person, probably a non issue, and as for handling, again........ if you wear gloves, and take precautions to avoid or minimize your exposure, it's probably a non issue.

Lead is bad stuff, period, so you just want to take a little more caution in working with it. I am actually interested in trying to cast my own as well, but I have enough things going on now, I don't need yet another addiction.

Im 45 and been around shooting including casting 35+ years, last year I had my blood tested and it was lower than most people.
Just don't eat smoke etc until you wash your hands

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

[ejhc11]

One thing I believe the plated bullets can be reloaded to shoot higher velocities than lead. Especially the Xtreme bullets, even against other plated brands. Thats what I like to use to replicate fmjs.

[XDRoX]

How long does it take to make 100 bullets?

It depends on the type of mould. Lee two cavity moulds are cheap ($30), but a quality 6 cavity mould is very expensive but can cast a lot quicker. On a two cavity mould I could cast 100 rounds in maybe an hour.

Im not trying to disuede anyone from making their own lead bullets, but Actually, health concerns are a real issue, lead can be absorbed through the skin if handled a lot, and the vaporization I was referring to is from shooting lead, although outdoors is not really an issue, indoors most certainly is, if you do it a lot.

I have not cast my own, but bringing any metal to a molten state presents more hazards than normal, again, assuming you are an intelligent and cautious person, probably a non issue, and as for handling, again........ if you wear gloves, and take precautions to avoid or minimize your exposure, it's probably a non issue.

Lead is bad stuff, period, so you just want to take a little more caution in working with it. I am actually interested in trying to cast my own as well, but I have enough things going on now, I don't need yet another addiction.

As long as you don't eat it you're fine. Hardly any is obsorbed through the skin. I know guys that have been casting for over 30 years without gloves. They get their lead levels checked and never had a problem. From what I've seen lead isn't as dangerous as people make it out to be.

I've certainly never worn gloves when handling it and I'm still kick'in

I have however gotten lead poisoning from a poorly ventilated indoor range. Sucked. Felt like I had the flu.

Indoor shooting is where the dangers are at IMO, not in handling or casting.

Then again it never hurts to be cautious.

[gunboat]

Dark soul -- your cautions about lead hazards are way too dramatic --
Please do a bit more scientific research and less reliance on environmental activists.
The biggest source of danger from cast lead bullets is being down range at the wrong time.
XDrox -- smelting lead - turning scrap to ingots - is not much more hazardous than casting - same temperatures are used -- some stink from fluxing -- Again all the really bad guys do not vaporize at lead melting temps --
All said - like others pointed out, don't eat it, don't sniff it, and do cast and smelt in a well ventilated area.

my tuppence

[johnny1290]

I agree with everything xdrox said, except he's faster than me with a 2 pot mould!

Its fun to cast but also hot and frustrating and easy to burn yourself accidently after a few hours casting and getting careless.

My face shield has a splash of lead on it I'm very glad didn't hit my face!!!!!

Tumble lube is cheap but smokey for me at the range. 9mm is tough to get a combo that doesn't lead the barrel.

If I didn't have to drive an hour to my garage id still be casting. Its cheap but you really put in work!

I think I got to around 4 cents a loaded round by casting.

[bobomb]

i treat plated like cast that i do not have to worry about lead deposits

i cast for 9 and 45 i get lots of gunk with 45 but 9mm stays clean same lead same lube

.452 sizer and .356 sizer bullets measure .4525 for 45 and .3555 for 9mm

maybe i am running the 45 too hot 4.5 bulls vs 3.5 bulls in the 9