Supply

[lrrifleman]

1. Which brand of molds do you recommend?
2. Do you recommend powder coating?
3. Are cast bullets bad for the guns in any way?

I have a good supply of lead and a DO-IT Lead melting pot. I have made a lot of jigs and sinkers. New to reloading but have a Dillon XL750 and plan on loading .357 in the beginning.

Glenn,

For molds, I have a number of Lyman, and RCBS. I am just venturing into Lee molds for 9mm RN, 45 TC, and 40 TC.

I am just moving into powder coating because of my Glock 17. Honestly, getting into powder coating is significantly less expensive than going with a Lyman or RCBS Lubrisizer, unless you start with the Lee Tumble lube molds.

Lead bullets won't harm your guns. if your lead is too soft, or you push the bullets too fast without a has check, expect leading of your barrel. To help harden my bullets that go through the Lubrisizer, I drop my bullets from the molds into a bucket of water to "quench cast" them. For bullets that will be powder coated, I drop them on a towel to cool.

For the bullets that may be loaded to replicate magnum loads, remember to install has checks!

 

[rwsmith]

Order early......

Most places I've dealt with are reputable and acknowledge delays. Don't wait until you NEED bullets to order more.

 

[Eddietruett]

Just tried a new supplier I happened across by accident Hoosier Bullets. Since they had inventory and fair pricing, I tried a couple thousand of their 1417gr 9mm coated bullets. I was pleased with the quality and how fast they shipped out. They shoot great as well. There was one little glitch which actually worked out great for me. The last bag of 500 I opened had some 124gr mixed in. When contacted about the error, the owner is sending me another bag of bullets to make up for it and I was able to try the 124gr which I like as well and maybe better. I will be ordering a few thousand of those soon. Only one order, but so far I am really pleased with them.

 

[stamper]

You might also check local shops. I typically order my bullets, but I noticed at the Cabela's in KC this weekend that they had a few boxes of 9mm 124-gr X-Treme (500 pcs) as well as some in .38 and .45. There were a few boxes of Berry's bullets as well.

 

[MyDads38]

Xtreme is showing 380, 9mm, 40 & 45 bullets in stock.
If you need lead bullets, Falcon Bullets has lubed and coated bullets in most calibers. Reasonable prices/shipping.

Just FYI

 

[MyDads38]

Been a week since I made my last post about bullets in stock at Xtreme/Falcon Bullets. Update-Received the 2K 38 SWC's today from Falcon Bullets. They're in TN. Total was $152.35 ($138/2K + $14.35 ship). Wasn't really expecting them for a few weeks, but that's okay!

Also ordered 2K plated from Xtreme; have received shipping confirmation, but no tracking info as of yet. Really don't expect any for a few weeks.

So, anyone who can use cast lead/coated, you might check out Falcon Bullets; have used them for several years and have never been disappointed.

 

[prairieviper]

I have orders into Missouri Bullet Company and Precision Bullets. Missouri says 4-6 weeks to ship and Precision 8-10 weeks.

 

[max503]

I get my bullets from out of my molds. There is never a shortage of what I want.

Only when I get lazy. I have my casting rig packed in a kitty litter bucket. It goes camping with me. Makes for a nice productive afternoon in the campsite.

 

[gwpercle]

Where are you guys getting your bullets ?
I use extreme and they are totally out of everything
the only .9mm I have is lead but at least I'm still in business

From my reloading bench .

A Lee 2 cavity mould $21.99 , Lee Production Pot $69.99 (electric pot) , Lee Liquid Alox Bullet lube $6.99.

Total $98.97

Being able to manufacture all the bullets you want is a good thing ...You don't need a permit , you don't need a license , the government doesn't check you out ...for now ...might want to buy a bullet mould while it's still legal to own one .
Gary

 

[robertrwalsh]

Berry's is back up and shipping again. Also, Diamond K Brass has bullets in stock as of today.

 

[andy52]

I usually make an order every November at Bayou for 9mm and 45.

Rocky Mountain Reloading has some stock right now. I just placed an order for 200gr 10mm. Everybody seems to be running 3 to 6 weeks behind on orders.

^^^^^^^
What he said.
Just received a order of 3000 .223 bullets from RMR this week.

 

[MyDads38]

Just FYI, went to the Xtreme website and they are showing several bullets in stock-that's good.

The bad-they have raised their prices again (2nd time since COVID struck).
Maybe to be expected, but the 115 gr 9mm bullets were originally $36/500. Then went to $42/500. Today $48.50. The 40 cal have really gone up and 165 gr. plated are now $61.75/500.

At least for the short term, I'll be going back to cast lead for general plinking/range use. YMMV

 

[Eddietruett]

I've been ordering from Hoosier Bullets for coated lead. Small company with limited selection, but quality is great and in stock items been arriving within a week. Bravos Bullets has also been good lately

 

[MyDads38]

Disappointing news today: Went to the Falcon Bullet website and all that remains is a statement that they have closed the business and all equipment would be sold. All in house orders would be filled/shipped.

No warnings, or notices that they were closing. I can only hope that the 2 orders I placed yesterday will be shipped. No contact information, nothing; available on the website. Have done business with them through the years and this is very disappointing to me. :-(

 

[Jessie]

I just recently ordered .44s direct from Federal. Prices weren't too bad and I realize it's not going to be fast shipped but that's ok.
At least they had it.

 

[rwsmith]

Missouri Bullets, Bayou Bullets and Penn bullets....

....are companies that I use/used a lot and mostly buy coated (Hi tech) cast bullets. I just ordered from Missouri and it said 6-8 weeks, but they have been good for it. Last order I placed took only 3-4 weeks.

Zero Bullets (I tried the heavy plated) are very good.

 

[slickracer]

Summer Enterprises...had a recent order in less than a week.

 

[boatbum101]

I don't used plated bullets so can't help you there . I generally cast my own , except a few bullets I don't use that often . The commercial casters that I use are all turning & burning . Shipping & supply delays seem to be the norm right now . In general finding the components I want requires more shopping now & some of the prices I've seen have made it more of a challange . Biggest PITA is getting primers I'd much rather buy by the case & pay hazmat , I just buy enough to make it worth while . Lately I've found more locally rather than online . Again some shops want $ 40-45 a 1,000 . One fellow on a local forum has been getting $ 50 a k for Fed 210 & 155's . Look a little harder & you can find them cheaper . I'll admit that I did see this coming & bought as much as I could afford the first quarter of this year .

 

[H Richard]

I just ordered some Bayou coated 9mm, and was quoted 6 weeks.

 

[MyDads38]

Disappointing news today: Went to the Falcon Bullet website and all that remains is a statement that they have closed the business and all equipment would be sold. All in house orders would be filled/shipped.

No warnings, or notices that they were closing. I can only hope that the 2 orders I placed yesterday will be shipped. No contact information, nothing; available on the website. Have done business with them through the years and this is very disappointing to me. :-(

Update: received shipping notice on one of my orders yesterday. 2k will be delivered this Sat. Waiting on shipping notice for remaining 3K.