Casting Moulds ?

Skip, here is what that mould looks like on paper out of my 625. By the way IA...I can more or less thank Skip getting me into this casting addiction..through these threads and following his sage advice I now have over 2 tons of lead, 2 lubrisizers, countless lead bullets from around a dozen different moulds. One of the most satisfying and relaxing hobbies there is. As said above, it will take you as far as you want to go...I just ordered a Big Timber Shiloh Sharps so I can try throwing some 525 grn cast bullets downrange.
 

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BSkerj said:
Skip, here is what that mould looks like on paper out of my 625. By the way IA...I can more or less thank Skip getting me into this casting addiction..through these threads and following his sage advice I now have over 2 tons of lead, 2 lubrisizers, countless lead bullets from around a dozen different moulds. One of the most satisfying and relaxing hobbies there is. As said above, it will take you as far as you want to go...I just ordered a Big Timber Shiloh Sharps so I can try throwing some 525 grn cast bullets downrange.
Click to expand...


I just simply pointed the way to a new and fulfilling part of our hobby. People with good common sense and a desire to be an expert in every aspect of handloading/reloading take the bait pretty easily. ;)

Lyman style hollow point:
Bens311467Mold6-12-09.jpg


Cramer style hollow point:
Cramered-RCBS41-210-swcDualPins.jpg


I believer that these pictures are conversion of standard mould modifications. With the mp-molds.com moulds, they offer them as a standard when ordering a hollow point mould.

I haven't used any of the NOE moulds at this point. I've heard good things about them though. There are a few more custom made American mould makers. BRP is another one. One I have lately heard is going down hill fast but I cannot recall the name anyway! ;)

Going to Active Group Buy's - Cast Boolits you will see some of the group buys in action.

At this point in the discussion, I usually start emitting a subliminal message, but, hey, you all already know that! :)


cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits, cast, you must cast your own boolits :)
 
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Skip,
Did you get in on that 4 cav group buy?
I have a two hole and was showing off some stuff the last time I was at the range. Most of the time I am treated as a new kid. But then a guy asked what load I was shooting and I busted out a penta star hollow point and explained about m-p and the beautiful cramer style molds he makes.
Then there was a "this guy might know a little more than he leads on vibe." They now want me to bring some ammo down and try my gun out on the Ransom rest.
"That is, you know, when you have time."

back to the subject.
If you just want to blast or shoot something like steel challenge where you are shooting at a 12 inch target at 10 or 15 yards a lee six banger is hard to beat.
When it come to pistol precision, paying top dollar for a GOOD used H&G. Or spending the money on a Seaco, RCBS, Lyman, NOE, M-P or other custom mold makers is money well spent when the results are tiny little groups from completely indentical bullets. I have high hopes for my M-P hollow base wad cutter mold. It set me back $140 but if it works the way I hope it will be worth every penny.
Aluminum molds last a long time if they are taken care of. A lot of Lee's molds are copies of sucessful designs. I started on lee 6 hole and would do it again if I had to. I made some stupid rookie mistakes on the mold and ruined it. I don't feel that bad about it because they still make them and even if they quit it still will never be as valuable as an H&G.
 
leas,
Yes sir! I sure did! I go by "lead_her_fly" over on castboolits. Can't wait until that baby comes! WHHHHOOOOOOHHHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sending my #496BB Saeco, 225gr LRN mould to my oldest son in PA who is just getting into casting. He has some Lee stuff but the Saeco will be a nice addition to his new found hobby!

As for the stuff at the range. I used to get that too. Then, after making one hole groups @ 20 yards, they had a different approach when I came away from the line. ;)

Of course, the one fellow I severely trounced was the Range Officer! ;)

They don't like it when you do that! :)
 
I spent some time last night surfing some mold sites and was really impressed. Found the brass molds on the mp-mold site--those are things of beauty. While I don't plan on buying anything right away I now have a much better idea of what I'm looking at and for.

The cramer style is the only way to go as far as I can tell. They may be more expensive upfront but you also get 3 molds in one and would imagine resale would be better if it ever came to that.

Are the mp-molds made in Europe ? How big does a group by have to be ?

I've already learned a ton and I'm ready for more. Going to get my reloading room ( "Man Cave") going shortly. I've collected 100's of pounds of real pig lead and wheel weights over the years so I do have a good start. Also a friend of mine owns an indoor range so I'm sure if I help him clean up I can get all the range lead I want.

This section of the forum is quickly becoming my favorite--I love the challenge and love building things--this will definitely help when I retire--which ain't but a few months away.

Been tire kicking here for quite awhile--love the information and knowledge all of you have --thanks for sharing so freely.

Steve
 
ia1727 said:
This section of the forum is quickly becoming my favorite--I love the challenge and love building things--this will definitely help when I retire--which ain't but a few months away.

Been tire kicking here for quite awhile--love the information and knowledge all of you have --thanks for sharing so freely.

Steve
Click to expand...

This is the only place I "troll" on the forum. ;)

Yes, the mp-molds are made in Europe, Slovenia to be exact.

As for the last part of your post. Are you trying to tell me that you haven't gotten the bill yet? No wonder you are so gleeful! ;)

The price of getting information in this portion of the forum is two fold. #1: Contribute when you can, ask what you will. #2: Make sure you pass this addiction on to someone else! :)

Glad you are here Steve!
 
Skip--

Thanks for the Welcome. Your enthusiasm for what you love is uplifting. I've thought for awhile now that the title of this portion of the forum should be called " Skips Reloading Page".

You definitely are an ambassador for the sport we all love. I've enjoyed shooting and guns since I was about 4 years old, it's just recently gotten completely out of hand.

Here's my contribution to newbies like me:

#1--If you're thinking about reloading, DON'T, just do it.
#2--If you're thinking about casting, DON'T, just do it.
If you're thinking about buying another gun,DON'T, until you do #1 & #2 First.

Hope this helps someone ( like me) and thanks again to everyone.

Steve
 
Skip,

Is there a "here's what you need' reference to get started boolit casting in the right manner?

Thanks,

JT
 
JT,

There is an article that our very own "epj" has written on the subject. If you pm him, he will give you the highlights.

Also, there is another site to go to: Cast Bullets For Beginner And Expert - Joe Brennan

There is usually a section in most reloading manuals that covers it too.

If you want suggestions, start a thread and we all will help you out. Once you weed out "opinions" you can formulate a list of equipment to purchase.

Very basically: Pot and way to heat metal. (Coleman stove and cast iron pot will work.) A mould and a way to get the molten metal into it. (Ladle or bottom pour pot.) And a way to lubricate the bullets once you get them out of the mould. (Lee liquid Alox is the simplest and cheapest way to start, also the messiest! ;) )

Anyway, do a search, this has been covered or start a thread and everyone will chime in. We can weed out what is unneeded later! :D
 
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The article Skip is refering to is in the 2010 edition of American Handgunner Special Edition if you happen to have a copy. You can spend anywhere from several hundred dollars to less than 50 bucks to get started. A lot depends on whether you want to cast a few hundred bullets a year or a thousand in a couple of hours. The most expensive single piece of equipment I use is the lubricator/sizer. With the heat option, it cost around $150. If you are ok with tumble lubing, most of the rest of the equipment can be pretty cheap. If you want to cast in any real quantity, a bottom pour furnace is in order. The Lee pots have worked well for me and cost a fraction of what the competetors' equipment costs. Molds are made by a lot of different folks in different price ranges. You have to decide what you want. You can start with a Lee 2-cavity for $20 including the handles. They are a bit flimsey. but properly used they will make very satisfactory bullets. That twenty-dollar bill won't buy the handles for some of the other brands.
 
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