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  #1  
Old 04-12-2009, 03:50 PM
Duskykiller Duskykiller is offline
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My local cast bullet supplier has stopped after 20 years in business. I searched on line and there are dozens of places to buy cast bullets. Tried one and I don't like the bullets. Please let me know who is a good source of bullets that are accurate and do not lead. I mainly shoot 35/357 and 45ACP.
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Old 04-12-2009, 03:50 PM
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My local cast bullet supplier has stopped after 20 years in business. I searched on line and there are dozens of places to buy cast bullets. Tried one and I don't like the bullets. Please let me know who is a good source of bullets that are accurate and do not lead. I mainly shoot 35/357 and 45ACP.
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  #3  
Old 04-12-2009, 04:05 PM
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Hands down these are my favorite bullets, I highly recommend them to anyone. It also helps that the owner is a member here who goes by nkjnut. You will not be disappointed with these bullets.

http://www.tennesseevalleybullets.com/
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  #4  
Old 04-12-2009, 04:28 PM
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Yep,I agree with 336A ! I shoot Jessie's 158 gr .357 bullets and his 115 gr 32/20 bullets .They are soft enough to fill the throat but not too soft to lead!
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Old 04-12-2009, 04:34 PM
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I clicked on this thread to recommend TVB, and see that I am too late and can only say, "Me, too!" I've had wonderful results with his bullets - his hardness always seems perfect (no leading as high as 1400 fps) and his lube mix consistently seems to glean me a bit more velocity than other makers'.
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Old 04-12-2009, 06:11 PM
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Me three; good bullets, good prices, great people to deal with (although they have a funny accent)!!
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Old 04-12-2009, 06:12 PM
dkizer22 dkizer22 is offline
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+1 for TVB cast lead bullets
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Old 04-12-2009, 06:56 PM
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Another vote for TVB. I just ordered (1000) 148 gr. DEWC, (500) 158 gr. SWC and (500) 158 gr. RNFP all in .358 diameter, from TVB Friday. Great bullets!
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  #9  
Old 04-12-2009, 07:05 PM
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Guys, I appreciate all the kind words. The truth of the matter is that we are running way behind on production and getting orders filled. In fact we put in 10 hours in the shop today (Sun) trying to play catch up. We are even behind on answering e-mails and phone calls.

Sometimes I feel like a firefighter trying to put out a forest fire with a water pistol. As with all things gun related there has been a tremendous increase in demand for reloading components of all types.

Your patience is requested if you have an order with our company. We are doing everything humanly possible to get the orders filled as quickly as possible.
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Old 04-12-2009, 07:38 PM
lafayne lafayne is offline
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I get excellent results from Mt. Baldy and Montana Bullets in .357, .44mag .45AR and .45Colt.
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Old 04-13-2009, 06:41 AM
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mastercast


Here's another good place....been using their bullets for a long time w/no problems.
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  #12  
Old 04-13-2009, 06:45 AM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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I just go to the garage and turn on the pot!

What I want, when I want!
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  #13  
Old 04-13-2009, 11:44 AM
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Dustykiller –

You may want to look at Penn Bullets, too. www.pennbullets.com. He makes two types of bullets that I’ve ordered; the Target Grades are rated for velocities up to 950 fps and the Match Grades are velocity rated for up to 1600 fps (that’s no misprint). I’ve shot several thousand of his bullets in both .38 special (in 158 grain) and .357 Magnum velocities (in 125 grain) and have been very happy with them. I have not yet loaded any of his 158 grain Match Grades bullets at .357 velocities. I tend to load my .357 Magnum rounds at the upper end of the range and his Match Grade 125 grain bullets have never shown any leading. I’ve shot them in my Model 27, Model 28, 686, 686+, and Ruger Service Six (how did that one get in there?) with no leading.

Bob Penn, President of Penn Bullets, doesn’t publish his prices on the web site. He addresses this on his web page. I send him an email telling him what I want and ask for price and availability. It depends on when he is running that batch. He responds with that information and I place my online order.

I sent him an email yesterday at 11:36 AM asking about 38 caliber Target grade 158 grain SWCBB bullets. He responded at 1:43 PM with a price ($68.00/thousand) and that he was running .38 Target bullets (950 fps rated) this week and could get my order in this batch. I ordered 3,000 (plus whatever it takes to fill the 70 Pound USPS Flat Rate Box).

I noticed he has some Cowboy Action alloy bullets, but I did not look at them since I don’t shoot Cowboy Action. I hope this helps.
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  #14  
Old 04-13-2009, 12:10 PM
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Quote:
Bob Penn, President of Penn Bullets
It's Bob Palermo, unless he's changed it recently.
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  #15  
Old 04-13-2009, 12:23 PM
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Erich is correct; the President of Penn Bullets is Bob Palermo, not Bob Penn. I fumble-fingered that one!
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  #16  
Old 04-13-2009, 01:08 PM
Duskykiller Duskykiller is offline
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Thank You for all the help. I believe I will try Penn Bullets. They have the best web page I have looked at. I just got in from the range with a batch of 158 SWC 38 specials loaded with 3.3 grains of Bullseye. With that light load I still have to clean lead out of the barrel. These are from the last company that I tried. Their 45ACP bullets work fine but the 158 SWC do not. What bullet do you recommend from Penn for heavy357 loads. I like to shoot long range with the 357 and want to shoot lead at good velocity? I have started looking at bullet casting equipment I just may do that as well. Has anyone ever used the Magna Master Caster ? What do you think of it?
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  #17  
Old 04-13-2009, 01:40 PM
38-44HD45 38-44HD45 is offline
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I've had excellent results with Beartooth Bullets and Colorado Cast Bullets. I've got some of Jessie's, and they look great, but I've not had time to load any yet.
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  #18  
Old 04-13-2009, 01:57 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
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Quote:
With that light load I still have to clean lead out of the barrel.
Dusk,

Slower velocity is not conducive to less leading. The two are not mutually compatible. There are too many factors that have to "jibe" in order to keep leading to a minimum, or none existent.

Case in point: If I remember correctly it is pinkemingeo (sp) that has had some 44 caliber bullets lead like crazy at 800fps while the same bullet driven to 1000fps shows no sign of leading at all.

Why? Well, bullet hardness mainly. Bullets that are too hard just will not obturate, period. If a bullet doesn't obturate, you will never get leading to go away, never.

Before you give up on that other company, or if you have some left over try this. Find a load that is safe with the bullet weight you have where the pressure is higher than the 3.5gr Bullseye load. I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT YOU INCREASE THE BULLSEYE LOAD AT ALL!

Why? Because in most manuals 3.5gr is the maximum load they suggest. That isn't enough of an increase in pressure to get a good test. Use another powder, if it is a 357mag firearm, find a low end load in that and see what happens.

The increase in pressure may need to be substantial depending on the hardness of the bullet.

I hope this makes sense. I know what I want to say, I just hope I am communicating it so you can understand.

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Old 04-13-2009, 01:58 PM
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I have been very happy with these.
http://www.mastercastbullets.com/home.html
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  #20  
Old 04-13-2009, 04:13 PM
Wayne M Wayne M is offline
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Dusty: I can vouch for Penn also but like others they are usually behind. Just need to be aware of that when you order. Otherwise I order enough so that I don't have to use anything else. My vote for bullet style would go to their TC's in any caliber you want. Most accurate cast bullets I've ever used. Really....you won't go wrong with ANY of the suggestions given here. Enjoy!
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  #21  
Old 04-13-2009, 05:22 PM
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Duskykiller,

I have not done any long range shooting with my .357 magnums so I am unable to offer any help there. I would recommend you call Robert Palermo at Penn Bullets and ask him directly. I spoke with him last October before I placed my first order because, quite frankly, I doubted the claimed 1600 fps with no leading. Bob spoke with me about hardness, obturation, powder burning rates, differing pressure curves and their effect on cast bullets, and so on. After the discussion I placed my order with Penn for 140 pounds of bullets (about 6,800).

A call to Bob would answer any questions you may have about his products..
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  #22  
Old 04-13-2009, 05:31 PM
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I get almost no leading these days because I shake everything I buy in liquid Alox. A little messy, but worth the trouble. Jessie makes good bullets, no question. Missouri Bullet Co. http://www.missouribullet.com/ has fast service and great prices. I'm currently shooting bullets from http://www.bulletworks.com/ . Good prices, and top quality stuff.
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  #23  
Old 04-13-2009, 08:03 PM
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Have tried the bullets in question in four different 357 magnums. I have tried everything from 357 loads, +P 38, and the very light 38 special loads. I have tried 7.5 grains of Unique 6.5 of Bullseye with no luck i the 357. The bullets is question look good to the eye and seem hard enough. The good news is I have probably 700 left more powder to try and some time to do it. Thanks for the input everyone.
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  #24  
Old 04-18-2009, 10:00 AM
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Quote:
Missouri Bullet Co. http://www.missouribullet.com/
+1 here. 2 weeks ago I place an order for 1000 .44cals and it was shipped the same day and on my doorstep in 3!
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Old 04-18-2009, 06:17 PM
enidpd804 enidpd804 is offline
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Same here. 500 - 40's in three days.
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Old 04-19-2009, 05:17 PM
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Duskykiller,

Just to ask, where are you from? That may help us as members to help you find a more local commercial caster.

I have yet to try any of the Tennessee Valley Bullets, but some friends in my club say they are great! (I've had a good stock from a couple of other sources that needs to run down first. )

I have used bullets from Georgia Arms, which are good, and I do really like the bullets I've obtained for years from Space Coast Bullets down in Melbourne FL. But I have no idea if either of these gentlemen ship, as I have either picked them up or had a friend bring them to me on the way "north."

I just have tried a batch of 200gr. RN .358's from Magnus Bullets (first bullets I've ever ordered through the mail!) and seem to be very good quality, but haven't figured out if they shoot well yet.

You can always try casting your own, which you will enjoy or abhor.

Now, I've got to get a mould for a .45 Colt wadcutter...
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Old 04-20-2009, 08:15 AM
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I live in Eugene Oregon. Shipping bullets is reasonable if they use the US mail rates. I just about decided to just start casting my own again.
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  #28  
Old 04-20-2009, 11:14 AM
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Before you order bullets slug the throats on your cylinder. Order that diameter or .001" over. This should be more accurate and also cut down on the leading problem.

The guys on G&G swear by James Ziegler. Here's his email address. [email protected] My favorite supplier(other than myself and my friends) is Illinois Bullets. The only problem is he only offers two diameters for 38 caliber bullets. Michael goes by GabbyM on castboolits. He is really good to deal with. I'm beginning to think this is common among bulleteers.

http://www.reloadersauction.co...00916&parent_id=2854
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  #29  
Old 04-20-2009, 01:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by USMCbrat:
Quote:
Missouri Bullet Co. http://www.missouribullet.com/
+1 here. 2 weeks ago I place an order for 1000 .44cals and it was shipped the same day and on my doorstep in 3!
Same here, good quality, good prices, fast fast delivery. I like the fact that I can get 12 BHN or 18 BHN in some of the selections. I just purchased 2500 bullets,5 different types as I have just moved and don't have my casting stuff unpacked yet. Try'em, you'll like em.
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Old 04-20-2009, 05:10 PM
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suggest two alpha bullets. just ordered my 4th box (135gr. 9mm) of 1k. good bullets.

rp
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  #31  
Old 04-22-2009, 08:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by NKJ nut:
Guys, I appreciate all the kind words. The truth of the matter is that we are running way behind on production and getting orders filled. In fact we put in 10 hours in the shop today (Sun) trying to play catch up. We are even behind on answering e-mails and phone calls.

Sometimes I feel like a firefighter trying to put out a forest fire with a water pistol. As with all things gun related there has been a tremendous increase in demand for reloading components of all types.

Your patience is requested if you have an order with our company. We are doing everything humanly possible to get the orders filled as quickly as possible.
I received my TVB order today. Including shipping time only 12 days wait and definitely worth it. Great bullets.
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Old 04-22-2009, 09:51 AM
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I've been getting cast bullets from Len at Action Bullets for 20 years with no complaints, good prices too. [email protected]
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357 magnum, 45acp, 686, bullseye, colt, commercial, model 27, model 28, ruger, sig arms, wadcutter


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