Need info on lead casting

[3DGearGuy]

So, I've been reloading rifle ammo with off the shelf components but I'm considering reloading 9mm and .45ACP. My question pertains to casting my own bullets.

What can I expect as a realistic initial investment for molds, lead, a casting furnace, sizer/luber, etc? Would it make more sense to just buy cast projectiles for now?

For that matter, if I do start loading lead, is the process identical to loading jacketed bullets? Anything different (other than load data) as far as loading lead or jacketed ammo?

[bohoki]

ive been doing it a few years my only real outlay of money is for the lee molds and lee sizer dies

i do 9mm and 45 acp so i bought the push through sizers that come with the liquid lube .356 and .452 they were like $15 each

the molds lee 2 cavity lead round nose for 9 and 45 were like $20 each



you can melt lead on a stove and since i do it outside either propane or coleman white gas(i prefer)

i like using a 6 inch cast iron skillet because lead gets heavy

i suggest trying some reloading with cast to see if it is what you like

but if you have a source for lead do it

look at some youtube casting vids

i'll check back and give some of my tips if you like

[3DGearGuy]

That's pretty resourceful! I never thought about going that route. But thanks for putting options in front of me.

As far as reloading and shooting cast projectiles, what exactly is the difference, if any?

[shooterbill]

The steps are the same. Reduced powder charges for lead bullets. I like the Lee 6 cavity molds. Just like everything else involved in shooting, casting equipment isn't that easy to find. If you look, it is out there.

[bohoki]

That's pretty resourceful! I never thought about going that route. But thanks for putting options in front of me.

As far as reloading and shooting cast projectiles, what exactly is the difference, if any?

well the difference to me is the aftermath of shooting it often is a little more messy at the end of the day with my cast 45s seem to leave more lead that my 9mm

i do 4.5 bullseye in 45acp with 230gn rn tl bullets and 3.5 gn bullseye with 9mm 124gn rn tl also the tumble lube often causes a smoke cloud akin to black powder shooting(not really that bad) but it does leave residue up to about 1 inch from the muzzle all around like grey waxy soot smoke

i made a little vid of me casting to show how even a doofus like me can do it

i did wreck one mold by beating on it too hard so now i do lots of tappy taps to knock them out

[CSACANNONEER]

Get a lead pot with a bottom spout. Anything less takes at least five times longer. I used 8 cav H&G molds for 9mm and .45acp and a star lubesizer on a Midway heated base to lube and size. I can cast up to 500 per hour realistically and lube/size 1200-1500 per hour. Without accounting for the cost of lead or lube, it would take less than 10,000 bullets for my equipment (for just those two bullets) to pay for itself. That should take less than 30 hours to cast, lube and size.

[Germz]

I do it just like the video posted above. Coleman grill, rented propane tank. Cast Iron skillet and SS ladle from Walmart. Lead from online and lee molds and sizers. I use alox lube and dar lube. I like it better than plated / jacketed bullets. seems easier on the barrel in the long run.

I've learned EVERYTHING I know about casting from here:

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

[tujungatoes]

Surprised no one has suggested www.castboolits.gunloads.com. More lead bullet info that your brain will be able to absorb.

[koehn,jim]

I also recommend the castboolits site. I have been casting for years and enjoy it. You will never have to worry about a shortage of boolits if you make them yourself. Don't think though that you will will save lots of money, brcause you will save, but you will buy more stuff, it becomes an addiction. It also allows you to fully tailor the bullets to your weapon.

[bruce381]

Castbboolits site for sure. As for me I would forget the lee tumble lube boolits and go to a real grease grove boolit, lee makes them too. The tumble lube sometimes will lead toward end of barrel meaning not enough lube.

Then get a lyman or RCBS lube sizer then you can use various lube on the market. I size .452 for my 45 acp using WW or whatver and have NO leading at all, beacuse of correct size and a good lube again tumble lube IMHO not good enough.

Me I started with a coleman stove and a dipper to cast but spent my money on the sizer.

my boolit cost @ 1.00LB for leabd is 3 cents each.