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cast bullets

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The Happy Kaboomer
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Re: cast bullets

Post by The Happy Kaboomer » Thu Aug 11, 2022 11:06 pm

Been casting since 1972. I have a cast bullet for every center fire handgun and rifle I own. And they are FREE. My lead is free. WW's. I killed deer with my cast bullets. The only way to shoot alot or the big Boomers is to cast and reload. I mine the lead out my berm on my private range and recast it...........Some of that same lead has been down the barrel several times and in different calibers too.
3 x

JimCunn
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Re: cast bullets

Post by JimCunn » Tue Sep 20, 2022 8:56 pm

About 1965, I bought 6000 pounds of lead for $27.
Still got some of it left.
0 x

Wabash kid
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Re: cast bullets

Post by Wabash kid » Sat Oct 22, 2022 10:44 am

I cast all my boolits for the .357 mag, .44 mag, and .45 Colt. I’ve used Lee, Lyman , and NOE, they’re all good molds. Just make sure you follow the direction that come with the mould to get it ready before you start casting. For the .44 mag, use a Lyman #2 alloy, that’s 9 lbs lead wheel weights and 1 lb 50/50 bare solder. Get your melt up to 700-720 degrees, warm your mould on a hot plate while your lead is melting. Make sure your boolits are sized 1-2 thousands over bore diameter, tumble lube them and your ready to load em up. Go to Cast boolits forum, there’s a wealth of knowledge on that forum, and some really nice guys that will gladly answer all your questions.
Paul
1 x
If it’s worth doin, it’s worth doin right.

Wabash kid
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Re: cast bullets

Post by Wabash kid » Sat Oct 22, 2022 10:59 am

I also highly recommend you get the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, it’s the Bible. It will take you through every step in the casting process.
Paul
2 x
If it’s worth doin, it’s worth doin right.

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JEBar
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Re: cast bullets

Post by JEBar » Sat Oct 22, 2022 11:00 am

sounds like you have your casting well in hand .... I really like cowboy action loads, specially in our 45-70 .... looking forward to seeing some range reports showing their performance .... be sure to follow the link below to where you may add your Henry rifles to our forums total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 08#p208908
0 x

220
Cattle Driver
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Re: cast bullets

Post by 220 » Sat Oct 22, 2022 2:40 pm

I have had good results with the lee 200gr in 44 as a plinking load.
If you keep velocity low around 11-1200fps you should get away with using alox to tumble lube.
With my light plinking loads in .32 38/357 and 44 I dont even size just tumble lube and shoot unsized.

I would recommend you start with casting for the 44, lots of data for reduced loads and lower velocity will be more forgiving of any mistakes/imperfections in your casting. While not the same quality as a custom mold the Lee are very cheap and still turn out a quality bullet. The 2 cavity come with handles ready to go.
An old saucepan, gas burner and a ladle of some description to fill the mold is all that is needed to get started. A bottle of liquid alox to lube and you could be shooting your own cast for under $50.
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Wabash kid
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Re: cast bullets

Post by Wabash kid » Sat Oct 22, 2022 6:25 pm

Cattle driver,
Everything you told the OP is correct, only prob is it takes a while to learn the technique of laddeling
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If it’s worth doin, it’s worth doin right.

Wabash kid
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Re: cast bullets

Post by Wabash kid » Sat Oct 22, 2022 6:27 pm

I’d recommend the OP get a Lee furnace, it holds 10 lbs of melt and is bottom pour, that’s easier and faster. But to those that laddle the lead into the mould, I take my hat off to.
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If it’s worth doin, it’s worth doin right.

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Vaquero
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Re: cast bullets

Post by Vaquero » Sat Oct 22, 2022 7:36 pm

Wabash kid wrote:
Sat Oct 22, 2022 6:27 pm
I’d recommend the OP get a Lee furnace, it holds 10 lbs of melt and is bottom pour, that’s easier and faster. But to those that laddle the lead into the mould, I take my hat off to.
I have both, the ladle can be a little finicky at times.
My bottom pour is older and I bought used, the spout needs some attention. :roll:

I have a new lee 45 colt mold I need to try out.

RP
0 x
Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care". :lol:

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Travlin
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Re: cast bullets

Post by Travlin » Sun Oct 23, 2022 12:04 am

Lots of good casting information so far but I don't think that I would want less than a twenty pound capacity furnace. If you are pouring forty five caliber bullets or 45-70 slugs, you want more pours between having to add metal and refluxing. I have used everything from a bottom pour electric to a gas fired plumber's pot and they all do the job once you get rhythm going.On some moulds I had to open the sprue hole slightly to get a non wrinkled bullet, These are things that I have learned since I started making my own cast bullets in the late 1960's
1 x

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