I’m finally getting into casting

[tlawler]

Here is what it looked like after stacking, less all the loose 1/2 lb. ingots. I had envisioned that stacked brick look like in Goldfinger, but it’s all good. I don’t think I’m going to have to worry about lead for awhile

 

[Skeet 028]

I have 23 50 cal ammo cans with ingots in them. About 80 lbs each And as far as shot I have 6 -5 gal buckets full. More than 300 lbs each 2 each for 20-28-410 loads. At least a ton of #9 mag shot 9 cases of loaded 20 ga 6 cases of 28 and at least 10 cases of 410. Real cases not flats and haven't shot a round of real skeet in over a year and a half. Then I have a bunch of range lead and soft lead ingots picked up here and there. Even have over a 100 lbs of 50/50 lead tin solder from yard sales etc. When you lose your sight it is hard to shoot. I still shoot but nothing hard recoiling. I wish I had someone in the family to pass most of the reloading/casting stuff to pass it to..all the grandsons are back east making a life for themselves. I am taking pics this afternoon of molds etc I got in group buys on Cast Boolits and many from gun shows too. Most are unused or used very little. Been selling more than I have been buying in guns. already have disposition of my stuff set up for the future. Selling the casting stuff has been very hard for me to do...but it will have to go. I am trying to keep enough boolits and stuff to keep me shooting into the future however long or short it may be.

 

[max503]

Here is what it looked like after stacking, less all the loose 1/2 lb. ingots. I had envisioned that stacked brick look like in Goldfinger, but it’s all good. I don’t think I’m going to have to worry about lead for awhile

You'd be surprised how quickly you can go through it. Get some 6 cavity molds and that pot says "Feed Me".

 

[Dieseltech56]

I've started casting my own as well. I've skipped lube and went straight to PC, however now I'm thinking of adding lube-a-master or lyman as well, cause my 700 grainers for 500 Mag just get too fat to fit into cylinder with PC.

Get a noe sizing die and you can dip lube then run the bullet through the sizer on your reloading press. It works well for small batches of bullets you don’t shoot all the time

 

[iouri]

Get a noe sizing die and you can dip lube then run the bullet through the sizer on your reloading press. It works well for small batches of bullets you don’t shoot all the time

That's the sizing system I'm currently using Lee APP and Lee/NOE bushings. Good idea about pan lubing, since Lube-a-matic's are nowhere to be found.

 

[Skeet 028]

Got a Lube-a-matic a couple or 3 of older Lyman 45s and a Star sizer. The 45s are set up for single bullets and never changed. I will keep a couple of them but the Star and the RCBS are going to get sold. Talked to the metal dealer yesterday and it seems they are going to buy 2 tons of the ingots I have. (They are also taking a load of scrap iron with 'em when they come). They are gonna pick it up so it will all(well not all) be gone tomorrow. And I don't have to do anything except get the lead out of the garage. I woulda done it yesterday...but it was a 100 out there. LOL. Talked to another fellow and he wants a ton of the shot. . Now I can buy another S&W or two....well...maybe one. Gotta pay for the new heating/AC system we just had put in the house.. Got central heat so I don't have to cut near as much wood. That stuff ain't cheap these days.

 

[mtgianni]

A year or two back I realized I was down to under a ton of WW mix. Even though I am a few years short of 70 I think it's enough.

I PC some bullets but find i do most with a good lube and sizer.

 

[pmhayden]

I have only been casting for a few years. I am pleased that you can get into casting, or even reloading, with little cost. I can get by with a 20 pound Lee pot, three Keith molds, and three Lee push through sizers in my single stage press. I tumble lube with Lee liquid Alox and Johnson’s paste wax, 50-50. It seems to work fine for revolver under 1000 ft./s.

It doesn’t take a lot to make your own bullets. For ventilation, I only cast outside. Most of my lead is range scrap. We make things so complex, and I appreciate good tools, but you can really do a lot with a few simple tools.

 

[Frank46]

Started casting when I got out of the navy in 1967. All I use is wheelweights with 2% tin and never found a reason to change. There was a dump where I worked and the splicer crews used to clean out their trucks. Always would find partial bars of solder and the lead from cable. When I moved didn't know what to do with all that. Ended up stuffing ammo cans full of lead and solder. My favorite cast bullet rifle is a Finnish model 27 in 7.62x54r. Lymans 314299 is a natural in this rifle. Early on with load developement I found IMR 4759 was the powder in this rifle. So much so, I never tried anything else. Managed to squirrel enough to last until they shovel the dirt over me. And definitely check out the castbullets website. Well worth your time and effort. Frank

 

[Greyman50]

Develop a safe method for smelting and casting. No smoking( if you do) and Make Sure NO BEVERAGES anywhere close to lead pots. Being in Florida I try to cast in winter( if you can call it that) in garage with door open and large box fan to the side of pot blowing Out. Have some protective clothing such as shop apron, gloves, ( nomex flight gloves are great)jeans, leather shoes ,clear face shield and hat/ cap. You do not want a visit from the “ tinsel fairy”. Been casting since late 70’s and keep Pb in metal ammo cans. I only size with RCBS sizer and dies since 70’s.

 

[tlawler]

Develop a safe method for smelting and casting. No smoking( if you do) and Make Sure NO BEVERAGES anywhere close to lead pots. Being in Florida I try to cast in winter( if you can call it that) in garage with door open and large box fan to the side of pot blowing Out. Have some protective clothing such as shop apron, gloves, ( nomex flight gloves are great)jeans, leather shoes ,clear face shield and hat/ cap. You do not want a visit from the “ tinsel fairy”. Been casting since late 70’s and keep Pb in metal ammo cans. I only size with RCBS sizer and dies since 70’s.

I’m still getting set up and have to do a little light construction before I start melting. I’m planning on building a small vent hood enclosure. I picked up a used range hood for $15 on craigslist. I’m going to build a plywood box with either plexiglass doors or a sliding window. That way, I can keep my garage cool while I cast.

 

[tlawler]

I wanted to bump this thread and update it.
I’ve got my garage organized a bit, so it affords me some area to work with. I’ve started building my fume hood enclosure. I managed to build it mostly from wood I had on hand. I did buy screws and the 3/4 maple ply for the base...$28 for a 24”x48” piece! Yow! I picked up the kitchen vent hood cheap off craigslist. The hood won’t be attached, I’ll just have a foam gasket to seal it and some wood strips to center it when set in place. With the vent hood off, I can stow the cabinet out of the way. I’m still figuring out what I’m going to do for the front access. I’ve got a couple pieces of plexiglass on hand and was thinking of either a vertical sliding panel, or hinged doors. I’m going to prime it tomorrow and figure out what color to paint it. I’m thinking battleship grey...my daughter painted her room that color and I’ve got like a gallon left. I’ll update and post more pictures. It’s turning into kind of a fun project; I haven’t done any woodworking in a while.

 

[Johnrh]

I think you're over thinking this casting thing. Set a table near your garage door and put a fan near your pot blowing out. Done it for years and no problems.

 

[tlawler]

I think you're over thinking this casting thing. Set a table near your garage door and put a fan near your pot blowing out. Done it for years and no problems.

Lol...that’s what my wife says about all my projects

I keep my garage air conditioned while I’m working out there. With a way to vent the fumes, I can keep my garage cool.

 

[Johnrh]

Lol...that’s what my wife says about all my projects

I keep my garage air conditioned while I’m working out there. With a way to vent the fumes, I can keep my garage cool.

Got ya. When I lived in FL I did all my casting in the winter. Please don't tell my you heat your garage in the winter.

 

[vinn]

melting lead

I use a plumbers melt pot. it runs on kerosene and its fast.

 

[tlawler]

I ran out of screws Sunday, so I picked up some more yesterday and finished up the front and got a coat of primer on it. Just finished up on the second coat this evening. Unfortunately, none of my plexiglass scraps were big enough, so I picked up a 24”x30” piece for my sliding window. I found some track for the slider from McMaster-Carr and ordered it. It’s all coming together

 

[tlawler]

I finished painting it. I used a flat white enamel with the idea that I can also use it as a photo box. Installed the window track and window. I’ve got some adjustable butterfly vents coming from amazon today, hopefully. I’m trying to come up with a way I can lock the window in place at different heights. I’ll just use some small bungee cords for now. I went with the slider so I could lift it to work and still have it as a safety shield for my upper body and face. Apologies for the crude carpentry; I’m no woodworker...I build things sturdy, utilitarian and usually ugly

 

[bruce381]

looks too nice will be full of lead splater after a hour so may not be best for photo box. Nice job.

 

[tlawler]

I’ve been busy the past few weekends, but I finally got around to running the duct for the exhaust. It was nice and cool this morning, so I got up in the attic and ran the duct over to the roof pitch pan. I have hip roof construction, with no option of going out through a gable. I’m limited for space, so it alternates places with the Dillon 550 and Lee bullet sizer on my bench. I put together a wire shelf cart to store it on with some other tools and stuff. I’ve got everything in my garage on swivel casters so I can easily move it around and maximize space. Stay tuned…I’m hoping to start melting soon.