Lead diet for XD 40cal

[shootinxd]

After 2 yrs and ALOT of help from THR,I have loaded 4-5k rounds for my XD and Armolite 223, its time to start casting my own bullets.My standard load has been 7.2 grns of AA#5,berry's 155grn rnfp.
#1 who makes a mold in the range of 155-165 that feeds in an XD(4or 6cav)
#2 anybody have a pet load for an XD that wont lead the barrel too bad.
#3 any advise in casting 500 at a time.
#4 have not got a clue about resizing(sugestions).

 

[GooseGestapo]

For cast bullets in the .40, I prefer a 175-180gr bullet. My favorite .40 mould is a Lee 6-cavity 175gr TC. NOT the Tumble lube version. Heavier bullet is slower, hence less propensity to lead.... Will also come closer to shooting to POA/POI of jacketed duty/SD loads.
Over 4.0gr of Bullseye it's very accurate and with W/W metal with some 95/5 leadfree solder added, it dosen't even lead an early Glock .40 barrel, and is match accurate. (holds the X-ring of a NRA B-27 at 25yds.)

 

[shootinxd]

how soon after pouring into mold must you wait before opening mold?Is lubing and sizing done at the same time?

 

[snuffy]

+1 on goose's advice, here's that boolit from my 6 cav lee mold #90690



Those are ready to load, lubed with lee liquid allox UNSIZED. They drop from the mold at .401 or 402. They chamber just fine when loaded for my Glock M-22. Yeah, I know you're not supposed to shoot lead in a Glock---Phooey! They are cast to 18 BHN, which is quite a bit harder than straight wheel weights.

As for how to cast, go over to;

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

Now spend a couple or 6 hours going over posts and stickies. Then go out, buy a Lyman cast bullet manual. Read that, then you will be ready to buy equipment. A source of lead will be your next adventure. Wheel balancing weights are what many casters have been using for years. They're becoming hard to find, and the Greenie Weenies are trying to phase out lead for the use of balancing tires. They are switching over to zinc, which if melted,(alloyed), into lead renders it useless for making bullets.

 

[Russt]

I don't reload for the 40 but I've been casting my own for about 3 years. I load for .308, 06, 30/30, 45/70, 9mm, 38/357, 44mag, 45acp, AR, & 45 Colt. I started with the Lee molds and sizing dies for the 38/357 because I didn't want to dump a bunch of money into it and find out it's not for me. I have other molds, RCBS, Lyman, & Saeco, but for the money Lee is hard to beat. I tumble lube the bullets with 45% Lee Liquid Alox, 45% Johnson Paste Wax, and 10% mineral spirits. For the leading issues some people talk about, bullet fit is #1. It has to fit the bore, if it's smaller 90% of the time you'll get leading. I use wheel weights and sometimes add some 95/5 solder to a 20lb Lee 4-20 pot depending on the type of mold I'm using. I get a BHN around 12-14 and if I need a harder bullet I just drop them straight from the mold into a bucket of water to quench them, it'll bring them to about 20 after they "cure" for about 4 days. These guys really know their stuff here http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

There's more reading/learning here than I could ever think about. They've been a great help to me.

 

[shootinxd]

Thanks Snuffy,just registered on castboolits.I will have many questions as I get closer to casting time.I have a small supply of WW as I work at a car dealership.

 

[snuffy]

You're welcome shootinxd. Now talk it up among co-workers and friends, let them know you're a lead caster. You'll be surprised how many will bring you lead.

A co-worker walked up to me saying," my dad has this "sculpture" or "statue" that's made from Babbitt". It weighs approximately 100 #! I suspect it's pewter, but in either case, it's a gold mine for tin. One thing that wheel weights and most other scrap lead needs is extra tin. It's hard to find and expensive. Best sources now days is lead free solder, 95-5, but a ½ pound roll will run ya 10-12 bucks!