Looking into casting bullets

[Crazy Horse]

Good afternoon everyone.

My Bday is coming up and I received a discount code from Midway. Started looking around to see if there was anything I needed.

Then I saw a video on casting bullets.

So my question is. Does the process involved require high requirements (time and money).

I'm not looking to high end equipment. I understand buy once cry once, but some of the folks I saw casting on youtube seemed to do just fine with the Lee 4 20 lb furnace.

So far I have the following in my cart:

1. Lee Breech Lock Bullet Sizer and Punch 356 Diameter
2. Lyman 4-Cavity Bullet Mold #356637 9mm (356 Diameter) 147 Grain Flat Nose Bevel Base
3. Lee Bullet Sizing Die Kit 356 Diameter
4. Lee Breech Lock Bullet Sizer Kit
5. Lee Pro 4 20 Lb Furnace
6. Lee Alox Bullet Lube 4 oz Liquid

I already have the Lee lock breech loader press, so I already have that covered.

And of course I haven't added the Lead, but it's pretty much implied that one needs lead.

Is there anything I'm missing?

During this time of panic, I have managed to build a decent amount of ammo for storage and have been finding myself running out of cases-not a bad thing. Turning to casting allows me to pick up a new hobby while still making progress on maintaining stock.

Of course, if I'm missing items that make it cost prohibitive or time required is more involved than reloading (putting bullets together), I'll just stick with reloading in my press. TIA

TIA

CH

 

[AJC1]

You should check out rotometals

 

[Crazy Horse]

You should check out rotometals

For Lead supplies. THX, had never heard of them.

 

[kmw1954]

Casting bullets can get as involved as you want it to become. The pot is a good choice, I have 3 of the Lee bullet sizing dies in .356", .358" and .452". They all work well. I have some Lee bullet molds and a couple Lyman molds I picked up used.

The biggest concern is going to be a lead source. From what I see and understand it might be easier to locate some in your neck-o-the-woods than it is here in SE Wisconsin. Here in Wisconsin it is listed as a hazardous material by the state EPA. As such we cannot go to the scrap yards or recyclers and buy it.

Another good resource for you would be Cast Boolits.com

I have only been at this about 8/9mo. but I am enjoying it!

 

[jmorris]

Just like reloading, bullet casting can be as minimal investment/more labor intensive or fast and easy but more expensive.

If I had to buy foundry lead to cast bullets, I would stop casting 9mm pistol bullets, that is for sure.

As for time, for me, I can load ammunition faster than I can make a bullet from ingot to ready to load and I have automated equipment that allows me to cast, coat and size all at the same time.



If you do them manually one step after the other, its going to take that much longer.

 

[edwardware]

Does the process involved require high requirements (time and money).

Huge amounts of time! Great towering gobs of it.

I did what you're thinking of doing, 5 years ago. I concluded that casting, as a way to support reloading as a hobby, is an enormous waste of time except for very expensive calibers. Pistol bullets are too cheap (and I'm a tightwad!) to bother casting.

Unless you're loading for something that Missouri Bullet or Gallant doesn't sell, don't cast.

Edit: really, don't. Even if the lead is free. I'm sitting on nearly 2 tons of lead; the only caliber worth my time to cast, weight, cull, gas check, coat/lube, etc. . . is .375H&H.

 

[Average Joe]

Not only is acquiring lead that is the problem, its the shipping weight that costs a lot, and then you still have to cast and lube them. It's really a lot of work.

 

[Slamfire]

Huge amounts of time! Great towering gobs of it.

I did what you're thinking of doing, 5 years ago. I concluded that casting, as a way to support reloading as a hobby, is an enormous waste of time except for very expensive calibers. Pistol bullets are too cheap (and I'm a tightwad!) to bother casting.

Unless you're loading for something that Missouri Bullet or Gallant doesn't sell, don't cast.

Edit: really, don't. Even if the lead is free. I'm sitting on nearly 2 tons of lead; the only caliber worth my time to cast, weight, cull, gas check, coat/lube, etc. . . is .375H&H.

You and I are on the same page. I did cast Minie balls, but for all the time, effort and cost, it takes to cast, I decided I was better off buying commercial cast bullets. I do have a 1881 Trapdoor that needs 0.460 bullets, and once the temperature in hell gets down to reasonable, that's where I will be casting them.

Casting bullets, bah!

 

[AJC1]

Casting is cheaper if you inherit all the stuff. With the classic sources of lead gone the value is shrinking

 

[PapaG]

I started casting in 1955. Since then I've cast, sized, lubed and shot hundreds of thousands of bullets. I've slowed down some and have not cast in a couple of years but still have all eighty moulds, five sizers plus a bunch of Lee sizer sets, two lead furnaces, several cast iron pots and lots of other stuff including several piles of old wheel weights, chunks of flashing, and spools of wire.
You won't save money unless you do a bunch and can get your lead free. Even the lube is pricey now. I'm inventorying my moulds and am going to sell all but a dozen that I rely on. Lots of odd stuff like .25 cal, .22 cal, and some strange 30 stuff. I'll post when I'm ready so don't hound me now. Be aware that you are embarking on a hazardous hobby, both to health if you don't use care and ventilation as well as financial if you get like lots of us and have to try just one more 38 cal mould (I have about twenty).

 

[mstreddy]

OP, casting as mentioned by a few above, is an extension of the reloading hobby. It's another corollary hobby unto itself.

Does the process involved require high requirements (time and money).

Yes, it requires time, and some money. Though the money portion can be low to start.

Rotometals is a good source, but it's premium with premium prices. You should be able to get shipped lead from wheel weights or other sources via the forums for around $1.25 or so pound - delivered. Of course free is better, but as mentioned, the various sources (tire shops, etc,) have dried up.

I've only been casting about 2 years now, and I do like it as a hobby unto itself, but then again, I like tinkering. I'm powdercoating instead of lubing with traditional means.

So, you would need a pot, a Lee 4-20 would be fine. A mold, the Lyman is good, but if you want to start at lower $$ try the Lee. I use the Lee push through dies and powdercoat. A good casting thermometer is IMHO indispensable. And I'd recommend you check out the cast boolits site. That's the wealth of info on the topic.

 

[dartor]

I wouldn't spend a cent on casting equipment until you can find a steady supply of lead. I live in Texas also and it's getting harder to find wheel weights from tire stores. I have about 1200 lbs of different types of lead and with my shooting I can see running out in about two years. I'm always looking for lead. If you can afford it from Rotometals, go for it, I can't, so my search continues.......

 

[Crazy Horse]

Wow. Appreciate all the feedback. Based on comments, I think I'll stick to purchasing cast bullets instead. It seemed interesting, but It sounds like it could be frustrating, especially with finding a lead supply.

Also, I didn't even factor the potential health problems is there's not adequate ventilation. That's another reason -pretty important- that I hadn't even thought about.

Thanks for all the comments. I'll stick with reloading and purchasing already cast bullets for now.

CH

 

[Goneshoot'n]

If saving money is the goal, everyone else's advice is true. But if you're just curious and think it would be fun and interesting, don't listen to anyone who tells you not to! I've found it very rewarding to shoot bullets made by me from lead I dug out of the berm and worked hard for. I say try it, what's the worst that can happen?

 

[THEWELSHM]

Have plenty of ventilation, use latex gloves and don’t put wet lead back in a a hot pot..enjoy its rewarding mate..

Thewelshm

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

You should check-out CastBoolits.com

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I've been reloading for more than 30 years. I started casting about 5 years ago.

I love casting my own.

But then, I'm almost certain that I shoot so I can reload more, so.....

IOW, if you don't like tinkering, don't start casting.

 

[Armored farmer]

@Crazy Horse
My lee 358158 molds drop bullets just fine. No sizing needed. The same for my 255gr .45colt and 230gr .45acp. I have sizing dies but dont use them. FYI
I tumble lube also.

 

[RockRat64]

Welcome to a new rabbit hole

 

[Crazy Horse]

LoL. Based on the comments made so far, I think I'm going to sidestep this rabbit hole.

I thought it prudent to ask since part of the thought was spurred from current bullet shortages. However, by planning accordingly and factoring delays, I've been able to stay ahead. Lets hope all this ends within the next few months.

THX.

 

[hossfly]

I'm in the same boat you are. Been reloading most of my life and buy cast from commercial suppliers. Considered doing it on a very small scale based on some of the youtube videos. I'm sure they guys on this forum saying it's not worth the time are probably right. But if you're curious about it just for curiosity sake, it might be worth touching your toe to. Just probably don't want to see it as a huge money saver.

 

[rsrocket1]

You don't need #1 or #4 or #6. The Lee sizing kit has the punch that fits in a single stage press shell holder slot and also comes with a 4 ounce bottle of Alox. I have about 8 of those for all my Lee push through sizer kits sitting around and naively bought a quart of Xlox (cheaper alternative) when I started casting. Now I PC my bullets and don't use any of it. The die that screws into the top of your single stage press (the tall cylindrical part of the Lee kit) does the actual 0.356" sizing as you push the bullet through.

I would recommend the Lee 6 cavity molds and a set of handles. They are 1/3 the cost of the Lyman 4 cavity molds and get up to temperature more quickly than the steel Lyman molds. There are those who swear by Lyman molds and swear at Lee molds, but I have 5 of the 6 cavity Lee molds and a dozen Lee rifle, shotgun slug and muzzleloader molds and have never had a quality problem with them. Unfortunately, it looks like all the Lee 6 cavity 9mm molds are out of stock now and I don't see a 9mm 147g mold so you might not have a choice.

The Lyman molds may be better with lighter bullets because they will hold heat a lot better than aluminum molds but once they get up to temperature, either one will work well. An iron mold will get a bit more fatiguing after pouring 1000 bullets. Be sure to get handles for that Lyman mold. I believe the Lee 6 cavity handles work with Lyman molds so it may save you a few bucks but do a search to make sure.

Good luck

 

[blue32]

I think the best thing someone in your position could do is start obtaining lead when its free or economically feasible. Its not going to hurt just to have a small stash. If you never pour one bullet you still have a resource that is universally recognized by people in this hobby as having value. Its no different than keeping range pickups for cartridges you never plan to reload. And its always fun to surprise new reloaders with free brass.

 

[lightman]

To a reloader, casting bullets can be compared to a fisherman tying his own flies. There is a certain satisfaction in it.

To me, its a fun hobby. Tagging a deer or winning a match with my own cast bullet just gives me a certain amount of personal satisfaction. Even the continuous hunt for lead is fun. Sorting through a bucket of dirty greasy wheel weights and knowing that they will be turned into a nice shiney ingot and later on, a bullet, gives me pleasure. it helps that lead is still fairly available in my area.