Casting bullets

[ninjastar310]

so anyone have any tips on casting perfect bullet? Also do I need to size or can I just tumble lube and load them?

[Socalman]

This is what I cast yesterday



300 lyman 525 grain 12 gauge slugs

If you are like me and calculate your ammo cost by price per round to the tenth of a cent. Casting can really cut down on ammo cost.

And once you get into custom molds your possibilities are endless.

I love the huge hollow point in the mold above.

Looking good! At first glance they looked like .177 air gun pellets.

[bruce381]

so anyone have any tips on casting perfect bullet? Also do I need to size or can I just tumble lube and load them?

heat mold hot I like my boolits a little frosty ( thats hot enough that they fill out sharpley) look also if close to size like 1-2 thos over grove diameter shooting as cast with a tumble lube is Ok

check the cast boolits sight and read the sticky things all you will ever want to know about casting

you want boolits bigger than grove 1-2 tho and with a flate and fully filled out base.

[Capt.Dunsel]

Easy way to get your mold up to temp and stay there is to use a small electric coffee mug warmer.

Get into a rythm while your casting ,pour sing 1 potatoe 2 potatoe 3 potatoe 4 , hit sprue plate and dump, close up mold and sprue then rinse and repeat.
You'll find a rythm that works for you.

[sargenv]

Easier way to get it up to temp is to put your mold on top of the pot while you wait for the lead to melt.. the heat goes up.. and with the mold on top, it will warm up just fine..

[ninjastar310]

Okay I knew that I had to wait a tad bit longer for the spur. Also when loading them, how far should the bullet be seated because Im assuming that I should stop where the bullet lub area begins. That gives me a coal of 1.25. Also should I apply a crimp or no crimp and how would I know if I need to crimp it. I placed the non crimped bullet in my barrel and it fits it perfectly.

[CGT80]

HEY !!!!!! The thread title is spelled wrong. It should be Boolits!!!


Since we are talking about boolits, I will go ahead and post a photo of mine. They are not as purdy as the photo above, but hopefully the PID controller I am going to build will help with that. I should be getting my PID parts tomorrow

[anyracoon]

You will love the PID controller. I put one together at the end of last year and it sure beats using the thermostat in my pot. Nice to dial in a temperature and have it stay right there not way over/under.

[gemoose23]

Okay I knew that I had to wait a tad bit longer for the spur. Also when loading them, how far should the bullet be seated because Im assuming that I should stop where the bullet lub area begins. That gives me a coal of 1.25. Also should I apply a crimp or no crimp and how would I know if I need to crimp it. I placed the non crimped bullet in my barrel and it fits it perfectly.

I prefer to seat the Bullet so it feeds reliably, with the longest COAL.

1.25 sounds like you are loading for .45 ACP. Depending on the profile of your bullet, but 1.25 sounds like a good staring point.

Crimping is done with your dies, roll or taper depending on caliber, again if 45 ACP, just a light crimp is what I prefer. (Cannot hand push my boolits in)

[ninjastar310]

I see, I was wondering what type of moulds do you guys use or recommend for 45acp and also do you guys recommend a size/luber?

[M27]

I see, I was wondering what type of moulds do you guys use or recommend for 45acp and also do you guys recommend a size/luber?

this is my favorite 45 ACP mold, I like it and its pretty cheap

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/776747/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-452-230-tc-45-acp-45-auto-rim-45-colt-long-colt-452-diameter-230-grain-truncated-cone

they also make a 6 cavity.

I do recommend a lube sizer, I don't like tumble lube, it works and all but it is messier and it's a personal preference

This is the best place I have found for lube.

[ninjastar310]

What is wrong with tumble lubing? I heard its easier but does it effect its accuracy in any way? Because my plan was to cast, tumble lube and just straight out load them.

[tiller]

this may be a dumb question to some but i do not cast....


what is the lube for? and the lube groove? what needs to be lubed??

[M27]

there is nothing wrong with tumble lubing.

I personally don't like tumble lubing because I find it messier when loaded and I have "reloading OCD" (it's a real thing)

I don't know if there is a difference in accuracy between the two, but in 45 unless you are shooting at significant distances I don't think there would be a noticeable difference.

tumble lube molds are designed to drop bullets that don't need to be sized

[Capt.Dunsel]

It makes it a little easier ( less messy ) if after tumble lubing when the boolits are "dry" roll them in talcum powder.Keeps them from sticking to each other.

I cast , tumble lube , dry, size/gc , tumble lube and then powder. Then I either load em up or put em into plastic lunch baggies for storage.