Why MUST I cast my own bullets??

[acl864]

Thanks Mr. President for getting me into reloading!!!

I have to thank Smith Crazy for getting me into casting. His enthusiastic posts advocating casting your own bullets got me curious. Then he posted some videos on the forum showing how everything worked. Watching them gave me the confidence to take the plunge and order the stuff to get started. So far I've been casting a little over a year and I love it. To be honest I don't know how much money I truly saved in the first year after factoring in equipment purchases. Now that I've gotten all of the equipment and a good number of molds paid off, I should be set to rack up some serious savings this year. It helps that I've been lucky and haven't had to pay for WW's yet. Even if I didn't save any money I'd still cast my own. I enjoy casting and as has been pointed out, it's something to do during the winter months when it's too cold to shoot as much.

 

[Maximumbob54]

At what temperature were you guys casting to get the lead to vaporize and produce "fumes"?

Jerry

I just can't find a supplier to provide the bullets I want in an appropriate alloy so I cast my own!

You sir, make better bullets than I do. Wow.

 

[Sully]

You sir, make better bullets than I do. Wow.

I sure have to agree with ya there Bob. FINE looking "slugs"

 

[laney566]

I sure have to agree with ya there Bob. FINE looking "slugs"

Amen!!! It would almost be an honor to be shot with one of those!!!

 

[laney566]

I understand what you are saying...for sure.
At the present I have about 700 rounds of 45 ACP...more of 38 special wadcutter target loads...1000 factory jacketed 45 cal bullets and about..??..300 or so .357 sized bullets. Once fired casings galore..but only 100 new Starlines for my new 629. Still have a full sleeve of primers for 38/357...but need a sleeve of large primers for the 44 mag. But Im going to a gun show this saturday...and if I cant get what I want there ...then I'll order from online saturday afternoon. Im down to my last 4lb of various powders and think I might pick up a pound of say 2400...?? Oh...probably pick up a box of factory 44 Mag's too.

My poor wife is scaring the UPS guy. She is the one home to sign for all my online purchases. Today a Pietta 1858 New Army arrived and the UPS guy said "more gun stuff eh?"
Yes she replied and gave him a evil grin.

 

[Rule3]

The main thing (IMO) that has not been mentioned is the source of lead or alloy???

I certainly would give casting a go if I had a source of alloy.
Here in Florida there is no going to the tire stores to get wheel weights. Like batteries and most other things it is a Haz Mat material and must be picked up by a licensed recycle company.

If I need to buy lead or alloy, there is no advantage as far as cost savings to cast my own. For $40 +/- I can have 500, 230gr LRN 45 ACP delivered to my door.

Now if I had a Mt of lead in my back yard I would surely cast some bullets but living here in the sub tropics (literally) it's hot enough without sitting around a pot of molten lead.

There are only 2 or 3 ranges(outdoors) around here that lead can be used.I predict they will be closed in the near future. The 2 indoor ranges you can not even use handloads of any kind.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Rotometals.com

Check out the tab for bullet casting alloy. Last time I looked I could get 75 pounds of 4% to 6% antimony lead for under $130. I'm going to stop screwing around scavenging and eBay slumming. If there are 7000 grains to a pound that should be about thirty bullets. That gives 75 times those thirty to make about 2250. Cutting some of that for waste still should be around at least 2000 bullets for $130. Even when you add for your heat source that's a big 'ol pile 'o bullets waiting to be made.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Sully,
Since money is no object, "you will just buy a boat load", go for it and have fun!

Just one thing though, buy some bullets like this:
(second from right)

OH, YOU can't! No one has them? I do, and all I want, when I want them!

You already answered your question yourself. I'm scratching my head as to why you even asked it!

You will never get the joy of crafting your own ammunition with your own home made bullets. You will never get to have those kinds of bullets that are oogled over that GLL posted unless someone has pity on you and sends some out of the goodness of their heart. (Most casters have big hearts, too, from what I'm told! )


But, hey, it is only a matter of time until we (read this: those that don't cast) have to go through the next bullets shortage and this question will come up again by the same folks that are asking it now.

I'll have bullets.

 

[Rule3]

Rotometals.com

Check out the tab for bullet casting alloy. Last time I looked I could get 75 pounds of 4% to 6% antimony lead for under $130. I'm going to stop screwing around scavenging and eBay slumming. If there are 7000 grains to a pound that should be about thirty bullets. That gives 75 times those thirty to make about 2250. Cutting some of that for waste still should be around at least 2000 bullets for $130. Even when you add for your heat source that's a big 'ol pile 'o bullets waiting to be made.

Not counting for waste. 7000 grs per pound. 500, 230 gr bullets would be 115,000grains= 16 lbs. 16 x $2.50/lb=$40

Not counting sizing and lubing.

They come to my door for that price. I load them and shoot them.
As for shortage just stockpile or "hoard" if you will, bullets, lead what's the difference.

 

[jmcghee]

GLL Can you tell me what moulds you are using?Thanks

 

[GypsmJim]

Comparing BUYING already made slugs as compared to buying all the "material" needed to cast my own...??...why have I saved?..if anything. I have "plenty hobby" as the old indian chief might say...so I dont need a time waster.

Anyone have any input?? Thanks

Your question seems to revolve around cost. The .38 bullets I use would cost about $0.12 each in quantities of 500, while I cast my own for about $0.02 a round. If that isn't a cost savings, what is?

I used to get lead at gas stations for pennies a pound, but now I get some but not enough. EBay lead is about $1.20 a pound, and the $0.02 per round reflects that.

My bullets are better than store bought, so to me the price is of little importance. Loading and casting are not time wasters in my mind - they are both fulfilling hobbies that help me get thru the cold winter months. I don't do TV.

 

[Missionary]

Greetings
And when you are all done .. for good.. you can sell all the casting equipment. The molds will hold value if properly taken care of and you do not beat them to pieces witha hammer.

 

[GypsmJim]

I am not getting in the middle of the casting pro or con, but who ever does choose to cast, has to be SUPER careful about how and where he does it. My lead levels are just about back to normal, and I don't ever want them elevated again! Lead fumes are bad news!!!

As an Engineer and Scientist, formerly involved with environmental issues, I rely on documented evidence before I make my own conclusions.

A few years ago I read a test report from an environmental lab that tested the air quality in and around a bullet lead casting home facility. The bottom line is that if you use an electric lead melting pot made for bullets, use reasonable ventilation and wash your hands, there is absolutely no danger.

Sure, 40 years ago I used a pot on top of a gas stove like alot did. But I would guess that the lead temp was way too hot and I don't do that any more.

40 years of casting and I'm not goofy yet. (don't ask my wife though)

 

[cp1969]

Some of my most pleasant memories are casting .45 SWC's for my then-new Ruger Blackhawk, using a single cavity Lee mold. Slow? Yeah, thought it seemed the time passed quickly because I enjoyed doing it. It doesn't take long before you have a nice big pile of shiny new bullets to shoot.

Back then, I was getting Linotype metal for free from a print shop and wheelweights for free from a couple of tire shops. Free bullets is what it amounted to. I could load a box of 50 .45 Colts for about $2 back then (1974). Even if you wanted to buy cast bullets back then, I don't remember there being that many sources. I had almost nothing invested in equipment, either. An old plumber's lead pot, a ladle, and a Lyman 450 sizer.

 

[laney566]

I'm not sure where the earlier poster got his prices for lead from, but I go down to the local scrap yard.
Last purchase was about a year ago and it was nice clean lead. Not wheelweights. I recall paying right at $75 or so.
I made 1lb ingots out of the lot after I melted it all in a dutch oven on top of my Turkey fryer burner....
I made 98 of those.
Guess ya gotta love the process though. Otherwise....By all means buy em already prepared.

 

[Skip Sackett]

OK,..........................

The main thing (IMO) that has not been mentioned is the source of lead or alloy???

I certainly would give casting a go if I had a source of alloy.
Here in Florida there is no going to the tire stores to get wheel weights. Like batteries and most other things it is a Haz Mat material and must be picked up by a licensed recycle company.

If I need to buy lead or alloy, there is no advantage as far as cost savings to cast my own. For $40 +/- I can have 500, 230gr LRN 45 ACP delivered to my door.

Now if I had a Mt of lead in my back yard I would surely cast some bullets but living here in the sub tropics (literally) it's hot enough without sitting around a pot of molten lead.

There are only 2 or 3 ranges(outdoors) around here that lead can be used.I predict they will be closed in the near future. The 2 indoor ranges you can not even use handloads of any kind.

Let's use your premise. YOUR STATE is communist !

No, just kidding, Roy. Don't take it wrong!

Anyway, I bought 450# of wheel weights for $30. At a 95% rate of recovery of usable alloy that gave me 427# for bullet material. (Which is feasible) That seems a bit much so, just for the sake of discussion, let's take it to 85%. 382# for $30.

Let's do the math: 7000 * 382 = 2674000gr OR 11626/230gr bullets OR 16712.5/160gr bullets OR 10696/250gr bullets.

@$40/500 for those 11626 bullets, you would have paid $930, I paid $30. Say you were shooting 44Spl and had a Keith style SWC that weighed in at 250gr, much sought after by the way, you would have paid more because they weigh more, maybe $45/500 or $962 that I would have paid $30 for.

Not to mention all of the free wheel weights I have gotten or free lead for that matter or even the 150# 5 gallon buckets for $20. I mean, it is pretty simple math.

My 45ACP bullets cost me 3% of what yours do. Can I shoot more or can you?

How fast can you pay off equipment if you save 97% on every box of bullets you buy? What is ROI? (Return On Investment)

Seriously, it is just simple math.

(Not to mention that I have what I want when I want in the shape I want and made of the alloy I want! I think I said that already though! )

 

[Catshooter]

You make your own primers and powder too?

Don't be silly. I am stocked with lead, powder, primer and brass for the rest of my life.


Cat

 

[Forrest r]

I get my lead for free & just have the pleasure of casting my own bullets, not the cost.

There was a time when I had to pay for my lead & still cast my own bullets. There's nothing better than making a bullet with the right alloy/mix & sizing it to a specific pistol or rifle.

I feel like a kid on x-mas day when I'm out testing loads & end up with one that will stack the bullets on top of each other.

It's not work, it's my hobby& a very enjoyable hobby at that.

Enjoy & be safe

 

[Sully]

Your question seems to revolve around cost. The .38 bullets I use would cost about $0.12 each in quantities of 500, while I cast my own for about $0.02 a round. If that isn't a cost savings, what is?

I used to get lead at gas stations for pennies a pound, but now I get some but not enough. EBay lead is about $1.20 a pound, and the $0.02 per round reflects that.

My bullets are better than store bought, so to me the price is of little importance. Loading and casting are not time wasters in my mind - they are both fulfilling hobbies that help me get thru the cold winter months. I don't do TV.

Unless my calculator is all screwy...thats close to $60 for 500. I buy 38 lead wadcutters for $29 and change for 500..??/

 

[Sully]

Greetings
And when you are all done .. for good.. you can sell all the casting equipment. The molds will hold value if properly taken care of and you do not beat them to pieces witha hammer.

I did that once before...the reason I have none of that stuff now!