AJC1
Member
I was in the I can't cast them fast enough group, but I endeavor to shift to having piles and casting when I want..... high up in the sky hopes 
Mananaging your cast stores...
- Thread starter AJC1
- Start date
Hooda Thunkit
Member
I have boxes of bullets I've cast over time. Some I can't keep up with, some I cast 5 years ago and still have a bunch.
Usually, I cast only 1, sometimes 2 types of bullets in a session.
Mostly that's because I don't want to change out the lead in the pot. If I'm casting rifle bullets I don't want to use that specific (more expensive ) alloy for 9mm blammo ammo, or low-pressure 32-long.
When I shoot here at home I shoot into bullet traps so I can reuse the lead. I actually sort it by bullet type.
But, when I cast I will throw hundreds at a sitting.
Usually, I cast only 1, sometimes 2 types of bullets in a session.
Mostly that's because I don't want to change out the lead in the pot. If I'm casting rifle bullets I don't want to use that specific (more expensive ) alloy for 9mm blammo ammo, or low-pressure 32-long.
When I shoot here at home I shoot into bullet traps so I can reuse the lead. I actually sort it by bullet type.
But, when I cast I will throw hundreds at a sitting.
If Iām not in the mood for casting, I buy.
But, I cast some bullets that are not easily available commercially.
I increase inventories by two or three times what I might need so I do not have to be constantly replacing inventories.
Finally, I do not shoot as much as in the past so inventories last longer.
But, I cast some bullets that are not easily available commercially.
I increase inventories by two or three times what I might need so I do not have to be constantly replacing inventories.
Finally, I do not shoot as much as in the past so inventories last longer.
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Bazoo
Member
I tend to make a good run of a single bullet when I cast, then have enough of that one for a year or two, unless it is one of my mainstays, then I have to cast those at least a couple of times a year.
earlthegoat2
Member
I just accumulate lead and casting supplies just in case and buy commercially Manufactured bullets for shooting.
41 Mag
Member
I have several that I keep a handy stock of, others are cast as needed.
My routine usually is to set up for several calibers and do a pan full of each. Afterwards they get sorted for blems and the good stock is boxed or bagged up for later. They usually get to sit for 2-3 weeks minimum before being sized or coated giving them time to settle. The blems go back to the pot for next time.
I have 2 specific alloys I use for my handguns depending upon the caliber, and one I'm working on rifles with. Due to the differences I have separate pots so I don't have to keep swapping out alloy.
The smaller pot I use for rifles, we also use to pour fishing lures and jigs with so it stays handy.
My routine usually is to set up for several calibers and do a pan full of each. Afterwards they get sorted for blems and the good stock is boxed or bagged up for later. They usually get to sit for 2-3 weeks minimum before being sized or coated giving them time to settle. The blems go back to the pot for next time.
I have 2 specific alloys I use for my handguns depending upon the caliber, and one I'm working on rifles with. Due to the differences I have separate pots so I don't have to keep swapping out alloy.
The smaller pot I use for rifles, we also use to pour fishing lures and jigs with so it stays handy.
I like the sound of your set up. Right now I have one 20# pot. I plan on expanding the rifle mold collection, so it makes sense to have a separate pot for them.
I keep enough cast bullets on hand. When they're low, I cast some more. I'm not a high volume shooter. And I still shoot some jacketed bullets.
bullseye308
Member
I cast in the fall enough for the next year plus a little. They get sized within a day or 2. Powder coat gets done in the spring once it warms up a little. My big melts also get done in the fall before itās too cold to be out there for a while. All the lead I have collected through the year gets cleaned and poured into ingots and stamped. I mine the berms, trade at scrap yards, and put ads on Craigslist and marketplace and do pretty good. I have about 40.00 in 800 pounds of lead in the last year.
Im only casting 2 bullets in 9mm, a 148 wc in 38, and a 158 swc in 357, so itās pretty easy to get r dun. 90+% of those are 9mm.
Im only casting 2 bullets in 9mm, a 148 wc in 38, and a 158 swc in 357, so itās pretty easy to get r dun. 90+% of those are 9mm.
I keep a stock of everything I cast for; PC'd and sized (GC'd if necessary)
I just gave a buddy my entire stock of 120gr TC 9mm, about 45lbs.
He's brought me 5-6 buckets of wheel weights over the years and ~50lbs of pure lead so, I felt giving him those boolets was the least I could do!
I just gave a buddy my entire stock of 120gr TC 9mm, about 45lbs.
He's brought me 5-6 buckets of wheel weights over the years and ~50lbs of pure lead so, I felt giving him those boolets was the least I could do!
Stamps are another thing I need to get. I am finding that some of the alloys I mixed a couple years ago, that the sharpie marking has faded somewhat.
I got a set if cheap alpha numerical stamps at Harbor Freight many years ago and, even though they were inexpensive, I still like to say they paid for themselves many time over for various projects.
BTW, I have to say that I'm one of those goofball that enjoys the whole aspect of casting.
I enjoy being on the hunt for lead, wheelweights, tin/pewter...
I jump out of the car at intersections and grab wheelweights that have fallen off rims much to the distain of my wife when I throw a Ā½lb of filthy, ugly metal on the floor of her car.
I walk 4-5 miles a day all the while checking intersections and rail crossings for wheelweights on my way to the local tire shop.
Those guys pull old weights off rims and throw them at buckets placed by their overhead doors only to miss and leave them lay out in the parking lot.
I go by on Saturdays and Sundays in the evenings and clean them all up!
I enjoy casting enough that I'll spend an afternoon casting (once all my chores are done of course) and throw them back in the pot to do it again another day.
I am still learning, and do not have a big habit. I have more than I need. I always run some Lyman 314299 to feed the .303. I got a Lyman 356637 for the 9mm, cool mold but a step back for making piles. I swear next block will have 6 cavity.
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AJC1
Member
Try a single hole 358429... makes progress for stores slower than grass growing...
WeekendReloader
Member
I setup to do a casting session or two in the spring and maybe again in the fall when the weather is mild. I cast up a year's worth of bullets at a time.
This year I'm only low on one bullet, so I'll probably only need one afternoon to stock back up.
This year I'm only low on one bullet, so I'll probably only need one afternoon to stock back up.
Bearded Phil
Member
Living in AZ it's "get enough for a year and then some" done from November to April/May. It's just too hot to be in the shop out back during the summer to run the furnace.
Apart from some new 38-55 Winchester moulds I'm waiting on this is this year's bounty.
Left to right:
~1500 357 mag 158gr PB solids
~1200 357 mag 185gr PB solids
~1500 357 mag 146gr PB deep HP
~400 357 mag 170gr GC deep HP
~1000 30-30 168gr GC
~420 45-70 398gr PB (2 cans in front), ~160 45-70 395gr PB (can in the back)
Started off this year finishing out the last 24lbs of range scrap alloy I had from last season casting up 45-70 bullets and then integrated COWW alloy when the pot was down to maybe 1/5th full, so that's why there's a slight weight difference between the two sets. After that it was all COWW alloy and all my casts average about 2gr lighter compared to the range scrap alloy I used previously.
Apart from some new 38-55 Winchester moulds I'm waiting on this is this year's bounty.
Left to right:
~1500 357 mag 158gr PB solids
~1200 357 mag 185gr PB solids
~1500 357 mag 146gr PB deep HP
~400 357 mag 170gr GC deep HP
~1000 30-30 168gr GC
~420 45-70 398gr PB (2 cans in front), ~160 45-70 395gr PB (can in the back)
Started off this year finishing out the last 24lbs of range scrap alloy I had from last season casting up 45-70 bullets and then integrated COWW alloy when the pot was down to maybe 1/5th full, so that's why there's a slight weight difference between the two sets. After that it was all COWW alloy and all my casts average about 2gr lighter compared to the range scrap alloy I used previously.
lightman
Member
I voted that I cast a years worth in the Winter or Spring.
I have a couple of buddies that come over and we cast together. In the late Winter or early Spring before it gets hot. We might cast for a few days, visiting, BS'ing, drinking a beer or 2, ect. So I end up casting more than I shoot in a year and the stash has steadily grown. I cast with 4 cavity molds and most of my casting is with straight clip-on wheelweights. I store them in 1/2 gallon jugs that coffee creamer comes in, labeled with a Sharpie with bullet type and alloy.
I do the same thing processing scrap. I get together with a buddy once a year and we "smelt" our years accumulation of scrap. Mostly wheelweights. My smelting pot will hold 400# but we usually work with about 350# as that gives us room to stir and flux aggressively. My burner will melt this in about 20 minutes. We run 8 of the 1# Lyman style ingot molds. After about 4 or 5 cycles we stop to let them cool off a little and flux and stir the pot again.
I bought a couple of cheap sets of Harber Freight steel stamps and tack welded a few together. WW= wheelweights, PB= soft lead, ect, ect. We do this using the buddy system too! We'll sit down with my anvil between us and I'll slap an ingot on the anvil, he'll stamp it and push it off of the anvil and His Wife gathers them up and drops them in a bucket while I'm slapping another ingot on the anvil.
I have a couple of buddies that come over and we cast together. In the late Winter or early Spring before it gets hot. We might cast for a few days, visiting, BS'ing, drinking a beer or 2, ect. So I end up casting more than I shoot in a year and the stash has steadily grown. I cast with 4 cavity molds and most of my casting is with straight clip-on wheelweights. I store them in 1/2 gallon jugs that coffee creamer comes in, labeled with a Sharpie with bullet type and alloy.
I do the same thing processing scrap. I get together with a buddy once a year and we "smelt" our years accumulation of scrap. Mostly wheelweights. My smelting pot will hold 400# but we usually work with about 350# as that gives us room to stir and flux aggressively. My burner will melt this in about 20 minutes. We run 8 of the 1# Lyman style ingot molds. After about 4 or 5 cycles we stop to let them cool off a little and flux and stir the pot again.
I bought a couple of cheap sets of Harber Freight steel stamps and tack welded a few together. WW= wheelweights, PB= soft lead, ect, ect. We do this using the buddy system too! We'll sit down with my anvil between us and I'll slap an ingot on the anvil, he'll stamp it and push it off of the anvil and His Wife gathers them up and drops them in a bucket while I'm slapping another ingot on the anvil.
Bearded Phil
Member
On the subject of casting, in case anyone didn't see:
NOE is running a 15 year anniversary sale now through 3/15.
20% all in stock moulds. discount is applied at checkout
NOE is running a 15 year anniversary sale now through 3/15.
20% all in stock moulds. discount is applied at checkout
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AJC1
Member
I hadent noticed great heads up!!!
Bearded Phil
Member
No problem, I called Al over there after I saw the email to see about the 38-55 moulds he's adding to the catalogue for me but... that won't be for a while apparently. He's having a rough time lately, so if y'all have had your eyes on some moulds grab them during the sale and help him out.
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AJC1
Member
I've bought a 454 mold and a 308 165 mold recently... really don't need anything or I would be happy to...
