Question #1 (Lee Bullet Molds @ Cabelas):
I took an extended lunch break to Cabela's, and was looking over the Lee Mold selection. They have a variety of Round Ball Molds (.451/.454/.457 for .44 caliber), and one conical bullet mold ... the .456 diameter/220 grain/2 lube grooves (the other one Cabelas lists on their website is a .450 diameter/2?? grain/2 lube grooves). I removed one from the box and was checking it over, specifically I was looking for a rebated heel for loading in a ball and cap revolver, but was unable to tell if it was or not. I don't recall the Lee part number (I know, I should have written it down), but was wondering if anyone knows anything about this bullet mold. Is it intended for ball and cap revolvers or for black powder cartridges?
Bear in mind, I shoot a pair of Pietta 1858 Remingtons.
Question #2 (Sources of Soft Lead for casting bullets/round balls):
Would it be feasible to use lead shot (intended for reloading shotshells) as a source of casting lead? I'm not talking about the Hardened Target shot, but the soft "chilled" shot. I only ask as I can buy it by the 25 pound bag for $15/bag (plus or minus) ... adding in tax, with a .454 dia/140 grain round ball, I'd be looking at roughly $1.28 for 100 round balls (vs. the 9.99 plus tax for 100 @ Cabelas and my other favorite toy stores). This is also not taking into consideration the 10 25 pound bags I currently have in my inventory. The only problem I can forsee with the chilled lead shot would be the graphite that gets added to help the shot flow through the hopper and charge bars in a reloading press. Would the graphite cause any casting/smelting problems? Would it burn off? Would it be feasible to wash it off, and then thoroughly dry the shot?
Thanks ...
I took an extended lunch break to Cabela's, and was looking over the Lee Mold selection. They have a variety of Round Ball Molds (.451/.454/.457 for .44 caliber), and one conical bullet mold ... the .456 diameter/220 grain/2 lube grooves (the other one Cabelas lists on their website is a .450 diameter/2?? grain/2 lube grooves). I removed one from the box and was checking it over, specifically I was looking for a rebated heel for loading in a ball and cap revolver, but was unable to tell if it was or not. I don't recall the Lee part number (I know, I should have written it down), but was wondering if anyone knows anything about this bullet mold. Is it intended for ball and cap revolvers or for black powder cartridges?
Bear in mind, I shoot a pair of Pietta 1858 Remingtons.
Question #2 (Sources of Soft Lead for casting bullets/round balls):
Would it be feasible to use lead shot (intended for reloading shotshells) as a source of casting lead? I'm not talking about the Hardened Target shot, but the soft "chilled" shot. I only ask as I can buy it by the 25 pound bag for $15/bag (plus or minus) ... adding in tax, with a .454 dia/140 grain round ball, I'd be looking at roughly $1.28 for 100 round balls (vs. the 9.99 plus tax for 100 @ Cabelas and my other favorite toy stores). This is also not taking into consideration the 10 25 pound bags I currently have in my inventory. The only problem I can forsee with the chilled lead shot would be the graphite that gets added to help the shot flow through the hopper and charge bars in a reloading press. Would the graphite cause any casting/smelting problems? Would it burn off? Would it be feasible to wash it off, and then thoroughly dry the shot?
Thanks ...