I have been casting my own since 1975 without issue. Three years ago I decided to "fix" my 25-5 throats with some 0.454's, but before buying molds and sizers I ordered some store boughts.

I got 0.451's. Whaaaaat? Ok, the guy replaced them no charge. A shipping error.

Since then I have ordered 2 more times from other companies (for similar "try-it-first" reasons) and Three times I got boolits that were undersized.

So, I guess this is just a rant. Is there Quality Control, anywhere any more?

It sure does not seem like it!

The Lyman cast bullet handbook has an extensive section on alloy verses shrinkage! It seems everyone wants to cast bullets, but nobody wants to study the metallurgy that goes with that!

Ivan

My beef with a lot of commercial casters is they cast their bullets too hard. Big game bullets, yes, but a softer bullet, say BHN-12 usually works better for me for most reasonable loads. When shoot cast, 90% of my bullets are with straight wheel weights.

Larry

I bought a pack of 250 9mm 124gr FMJ marked on package Winchester.
They mic at .3505 not .355 or .356 as should be. I discovered it when they fell into the case. I now have to resize the case and not bell the mouth so that it bearly fits in and gently crimp it. After I use them up I'm going to lead bullets.

I switched to 100% WWs about 15 years ago. When I water drop them out of the mold they actually increase in diameter abouit 0.001", and thus for some of my loads I don't have to size them.

I would guess that the accuracy of 0.0055 undersize would be horrible. I would have sent them back.

2% tin, 6 % antimony, 92 % lead is a easily obtained alloy that keeps commercial bullets from being dented. They usually use a very hard lube so it doesn't come off as those two thing represent most of the complaints a commercial caster gets.
All the more reasons to cast your own.

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Front sight and squeeze

I can understand those who choose not to cast because of the initial expense and the long and time consuming learning process. However, based on comments I've seen here and elsewhere it sounds like finding a commercial caster that offers exactly what you may be looking for is more exasperating than learning to cast your own bullets.

That's not a criticism directed at those who make and sell cast bullets. It would likely be impossible or prohibitively expensive for them to offer the many variations a small segment of customers might choose and yet still attempt to operate a profitable business.

Big part of the problem is outfits that have the worst product are the best advertised & promoted by the chain type stores . Even here no matter how many of us tell others " XYZ produces a **** product with too hard alloy & crayon lube " they still get offended . Or they're shooting a pre-WWII collectible & bitch about 50 cent apiece handcast correct alloy sized right with excellent lube bullets .

Maybe I was luckier than most. I bought a Lee 230 gr. 0.452 mold for 45ACP for 10 bucks. Using some metal pieces I built a stand to hold a cast iron pot my Mom had, and I fired it with a 2# propane cylinder attached to a torch end. After casting a few misfits I was making good boolits the first day.

Now that was 1975, so the mold price is dated, of course. And the WW lead was almost free from a buddy who owned a gas station. A Lee lead pot and 2-cavity molds came much later.

I stopped using uncoated lead about 5 years ago after having high levels of lead detected in my blood. Everyone that casts lead should check for those levels periodically.

Rule of thumb. State specifically what dia. bullet you wish them to ship in your order.

I buy coated bullets and if they aren't the correct dia. I send back a sample to the manufacturer and inform them about the problem. I let them decide what they want to do about it. If they don't compensate me for their error I'll move on to another caster.

Casting requires more time and an investment into more equipment. Add to the coating process and it gets even more involved. I think about only 10% of the shooting public loads their own ammo judging by the number of people who complain about ammo prices on this forum. People who reload know about shortages and prepare for those. One of the reasons they reload is to avoid the retail price gougers and shortages. That's why I reload, but I don't cast my own bullets.

I could load a thousand rounds tomorrow for any cartridge I shoot.

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That's just somebody talkin.

I have been a caster since the early 90's, most years shooting between 1,500 and 4,000 cast bullets. I cast in my garage and wash after, and make sure not to eat or drink anything during the process. I generally use a conventional lube but do coat a couple of calibers. I get tested for lead at least every other year. My highest was 3, I don't know if that's ppm or what ever scale is used. I understand it begins to be noticed in the 10's.

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Front sight and squeeze

I have been casting for 45 years, reloading for 50. In the basement with no ventilation. I've been shooting for 59 years, in questionable indoor ranges back in my youth.

Two years ago, after reading posts on this forum, I asked my doctor to include a lead analysis in my annual physical along with the PSA, cholesterol, etc.

The results came back so low as almost non-detectable. I'm sure that there are many avenues to get lead in the system. I guess I'll continue doing what I've been doing...

I started casting for a 9mm BHP in 1972. Been at it ever since. The last couple of years I've added shot making to my venue. I make #8's & #9's. My shot is free. My bullets are free. Cuz my lead source is free.
When you drop a deer with your cast bullet or kill doves, quail, rabbits and crows with shot you made. You are truly way more independant.

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S&W Accumulator