Finally started casting
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Dieseltech56
Member
It's quite a learning process. I am a self taught caster. I learned pretty quickly to keep an eye on any edges for rounding. Any kind of band edges should be sharp if you're hot enough. I find that lightly frosted bullets are usually filled out the best.
gwpercle
Member
It's a fun hobby , I enjoy doing it . Back in 1967 if you wanted a cast bullet there was only one way to get them...buy a Lyman Cast Bullet Manual and a Lyman mould , usually a single cavity and cast them yourself . Must be interesting because I still enjoy the process .
It doesn't have to be all complicated like some make it out to be. Just follow the instructions in the Lyman Cast bullet Handbooks...
It ain't rocket science .
Gary
It doesn't have to be all complicated like some make it out to be. Just follow the instructions in the Lyman Cast bullet Handbooks...
It ain't rocket science .
Gary
max503
Member
Check out The Cast Bullet Association. They will help you. They have a forum. Just do a search.
I too am "self taught". I started with a Coleman stove, a 2 qt. stainless steel pot, a Lee ladle, swiped a slotted spoon from Ma's kitchen, fluxed with paraffin, and used a Lee 44 cal mold. I had access to a lot of wheel weights so alloy was no problem. I found a Lee lubing/sizing kit, now discontinued and occasionally used alox for lube. I kept my 629 fed with pretty good bullets for over a year and then got an electric pot.
Range lead will work for most pistol bullets, and if your bullets fit your guns you can push that alloy (?) pretty hard. Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is one of the best cast bullet loading manuals with a good "how to" section.
I've heard it said "the only way to earn to cast bullets, is to cast bullets". And you can remelt your mistakes to hide the evidence. I kept notes at first to remind me of the basic stuff and that helped quite a bit....
Lots of good info here too; Cast bullet reference on lead alloy's, min / max pressure, lube, shrinkage, And pretty much every question regarding all aspects of casting bullets has been answered here; Cast Boolits
Range lead will work for most pistol bullets, and if your bullets fit your guns you can push that alloy (?) pretty hard. Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is one of the best cast bullet loading manuals with a good "how to" section.
I've heard it said "the only way to earn to cast bullets, is to cast bullets". And you can remelt your mistakes to hide the evidence. I kept notes at first to remind me of the basic stuff and that helped quite a bit....
Lots of good info here too; Cast bullet reference on lead alloy's, min / max pressure, lube, shrinkage, And pretty much every question regarding all aspects of casting bullets has been answered here; Cast Boolits
OP
Funflyer
Member
Thanks guys.
My molds are out for delivery today so I can start going at it this weekend. I've read through the Lyman casting book along with a few others and don't think I'll have much trouble once I get the required temps figured out.
My molds are out for delivery today so I can start going at it this weekend. I've read through the Lyman casting book along with a few others and don't think I'll have much trouble once I get the required temps figured out.
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Qc Pistolero
Member
Welcome in the gang!Shooting is a hobby as is reloading as is casting your own missiles.
I've been at it since 1976 and still enjoy it.I started on a Coleman stove(BTW they work very well with regular gasoline and it is less costly...a lot)and am now the proud owner of 5 electric pots and a few dozens of moulds.It is a lot tougher to quit casting than to quit smoking!
Seriously,I wish you have as much fun at it as I do.And we haven't spoken about the proudness you feel when you make a beautiful group with your creation!
I've been at it since 1976 and still enjoy it.I started on a Coleman stove(BTW they work very well with regular gasoline and it is less costly...a lot)and am now the proud owner of 5 electric pots and a few dozens of moulds.It is a lot tougher to quit casting than to quit smoking!
Seriously,I wish you have as much fun at it as I do.And we haven't spoken about the proudness you feel when you make a beautiful group with your creation!
THE PILGRIM
Member
Don’t reload no more.
Casting was the activity I liked the most and miss the most.
I found it to be extremely satisfying and calming.
Be careful, use adequate hand and eye protection.
Casting was the activity I liked the most and miss the most.
I found it to be extremely satisfying and calming.
Be careful, use adequate hand and eye protection.
Biggest mistakes people make IMHO is not paying attention to the alloy and not getting whatever alloy they are using hot enough. A good friend of mine showed me how to build my own P.I.D. which basically regulates the temperature you pot operates at within 5 degrees +/-, mine works much closer and works to close standards from initial pour to the bottom of the pot. I do not use scrounged alloy for anything I shoot, I know guys that used to like to dig around after us muzzle loaders were done because they knew our stuff was as close to pure lead as possible. You never know what your dealing with when it comes to scrounged lead and if your barrel starts leading up you know whos to blame. I like dealing with a known quantity like wheel weights, linotype, smelter lead (Bunker Hill), or sheet from roofing or xray room sheathing. The xray room sheathing lead is the best I've found for quality, 85lb rolls nearly 1/8" thick. I got started smelting lead for muzzle loading, got to talking with the cast bullet guys and after getting a come to Jesus talk by one of the old timers that told me "If your not casting your own bullets, your not truly reloading, your just parts replacing."
You can harden any lead with 50/50 rosin core solder. Or by adding a little lynotype.
Yes. There is great pleasure for a good group with bullet you made. An even greater pleasure is killing deer(or 3) with bullets you have made.
And I won't use electric pots. They are WAY TO SLOW on the melt and remelt. I use a 1 burner stove hooked to a 20 lb propane cylinder. It's way faster. As the lead melts I sit my 3-4 molds around the pot on the burner. By the time the lead is melted and fluxed all the molds are hot enough to start casting. I use a Lyman dipper with a pour spout.
And finally if you want to really get nutty about casting...Make your own bird shot. When 25 lb. bags of shot went to $45 a bag I couldn't/wouldn't pay that price since I shoot shotguns a lot too. So....I bought me a shot maker. In 2 runs I've made over 200 lbs. of #8's. The machine has almost paid for itself. In shooting I can't tell any difference my shot and factory shot. The shot is run through a strainer to size it and remove the odd shaped pieces. Then put in my tumbler with a little graphite and its GTG. My lead is free. So cost is minimal.
Yes. There is great pleasure for a good group with bullet you made. An even greater pleasure is killing deer(or 3) with bullets you have made.
And I won't use electric pots. They are WAY TO SLOW on the melt and remelt. I use a 1 burner stove hooked to a 20 lb propane cylinder. It's way faster. As the lead melts I sit my 3-4 molds around the pot on the burner. By the time the lead is melted and fluxed all the molds are hot enough to start casting. I use a Lyman dipper with a pour spout.
And finally if you want to really get nutty about casting...Make your own bird shot. When 25 lb. bags of shot went to $45 a bag I couldn't/wouldn't pay that price since I shoot shotguns a lot too. So....I bought me a shot maker. In 2 runs I've made over 200 lbs. of #8's. The machine has almost paid for itself. In shooting I can't tell any difference my shot and factory shot. The shot is run through a strainer to size it and remove the odd shaped pieces. Then put in my tumbler with a little graphite and its GTG. My lead is free. So cost is minimal.
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