novalty
Member
So you want to take reloading to the next level of savings. Casting is a natural additional to reloading as a hobby, and those looking to save additional money. I'm just a beginner at the hobby, so I won't be pretending to be an expert, nor did I sleep at a Holiday Inn last night.
You should read Glen Fryxell's "From Ingot to Target."
The biggest obstacle on casting your own bullets is having access to a supply of lead. The number one source for most casters used to be wheel-weights, but since a ban on them has been passed in many states--the supply has been dwindling. Other common sources are: roofers, chimney masons, sailboat scrap yards (lots of work), salvage yards, and online vendors like Roto-Metals.
When it comes to casting there are two traditional methods: ladle castings, and bottom-pour from a furnace. For bottom pour you can either use a heat source and pot, or purchase a melting pot. Several companies offer cast iron pots for casting: RCBS, Lyman come to mind, but you can also do it in a dutch oven-- Harbor Freight offers an inexpensive one for around $30. The most common heat source is a propane fish fryer--weight support is a critical factor to keep in mind choosing this method.
There are many manufacturers that offer ladles for casting lead: Lee, Lyman, RCBS, Saeco, and Rowell. Rowell ladles are held in the highest regard by ladle casters, for the unique bottom pour design--which prevent floating surface dross and contaminants from entering the mold cavities.
When considering bottom pour furnace there is a fair selection of different sizes and prices from Lee's Production Pot around $50, to RCBS Promelt around $300, and even more expensive options.
Molds come in many shapes, designs, materials, number of cavities, and ability to cast hollow-points. This is one of the best benefits for casting your own, being able to choose the bullet design you want. Below is a list of mold manufacturers in alphabetic order. Make sure you purchase the correct handles that fit the mold you are ordering, as they are not universal.
-Accurate Molds
-Ballisti-cast
-Hensley & Gibbs *Out-of-Production. Currently being produced by Ballisticast
-Hoch Custom
-Ideal *Bought out by Lyman
-Lachmiller *Bought out by RCBS
-Lee Precision
-Lyman Products
-Magma Engineering
-Modern Bond *Out-of-production
-Mountain Molds
-M-P Molds **Also known as Mihec
-NOE Bullet Moulds
-RCBS Engineering
-Saeco Precision
Mold handle Manufacturers: KAL, *Lachmiller, Lee, Lyman, M-P, RCBS, and Saeco. *Lachmiller molds require Lachmiller handles, or modification to other manufacturer handles.
Lubing bullets can be done in a variety of ways: pan lubing, using a lubra-sizer, powder coating. For sizing bullets, Lee offers a push-through-sizer that works with your reloading press, RCBS offers their Lub-a-matics, Lyman has their 45, 450, and 4500 series, Saeco has their Lubri-sizer, and the Magma Star Lube-sizer are considered some of the nicest. Accompany parts to go along with lube-sizer, minus Lee's, are punches for pushing the bullet, and sizing dies for shaving to the correct diameter.
Website(s) for additional information regarding casting:
-Los Angeles Shooting Club (A variety of articles pertaining to casting. Source provided by forestswin.)
Lead Disclaimer:
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
**This thread is still a work in process. I'll be adding more info. and links on furnaces, ladles, molds, lubrasizers, pan lubing info.**
You should read Glen Fryxell's "From Ingot to Target."
The biggest obstacle on casting your own bullets is having access to a supply of lead. The number one source for most casters used to be wheel-weights, but since a ban on them has been passed in many states--the supply has been dwindling. Other common sources are: roofers, chimney masons, sailboat scrap yards (lots of work), salvage yards, and online vendors like Roto-Metals.
When it comes to casting there are two traditional methods: ladle castings, and bottom-pour from a furnace. For bottom pour you can either use a heat source and pot, or purchase a melting pot. Several companies offer cast iron pots for casting: RCBS, Lyman come to mind, but you can also do it in a dutch oven-- Harbor Freight offers an inexpensive one for around $30. The most common heat source is a propane fish fryer--weight support is a critical factor to keep in mind choosing this method.
There are many manufacturers that offer ladles for casting lead: Lee, Lyman, RCBS, Saeco, and Rowell. Rowell ladles are held in the highest regard by ladle casters, for the unique bottom pour design--which prevent floating surface dross and contaminants from entering the mold cavities.
When considering bottom pour furnace there is a fair selection of different sizes and prices from Lee's Production Pot around $50, to RCBS Promelt around $300, and even more expensive options.
Molds come in many shapes, designs, materials, number of cavities, and ability to cast hollow-points. This is one of the best benefits for casting your own, being able to choose the bullet design you want. Below is a list of mold manufacturers in alphabetic order. Make sure you purchase the correct handles that fit the mold you are ordering, as they are not universal.
-Accurate Molds
-Ballisti-cast
-Hensley & Gibbs *Out-of-Production. Currently being produced by Ballisticast
-Hoch Custom
-Ideal *Bought out by Lyman
-Lachmiller *Bought out by RCBS
-Lee Precision
-Lyman Products
-Magma Engineering
-Modern Bond *Out-of-production
-Mountain Molds
-M-P Molds **Also known as Mihec
-NOE Bullet Moulds
-RCBS Engineering
-Saeco Precision
Mold handle Manufacturers: KAL, *Lachmiller, Lee, Lyman, M-P, RCBS, and Saeco. *Lachmiller molds require Lachmiller handles, or modification to other manufacturer handles.
Lubing bullets can be done in a variety of ways: pan lubing, using a lubra-sizer, powder coating. For sizing bullets, Lee offers a push-through-sizer that works with your reloading press, RCBS offers their Lub-a-matics, Lyman has their 45, 450, and 4500 series, Saeco has their Lubri-sizer, and the Magma Star Lube-sizer are considered some of the nicest. Accompany parts to go along with lube-sizer, minus Lee's, are punches for pushing the bullet, and sizing dies for shaving to the correct diameter.
Website(s) for additional information regarding casting:
-Los Angeles Shooting Club (A variety of articles pertaining to casting. Source provided by forestswin.)
Lead Disclaimer:
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
**This thread is still a work in process. I'll be adding more info. and links on furnaces, ladles, molds, lubrasizers, pan lubing info.**
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