Reloading questions for a newb

[Gone Hiking]

Without reading the entire thread, the record scratch moment for me in OP's post was the 100 cases and 100 primers. That's not half a range trip to even start with, and I recommend adding a zero to both those numbers. The other thing is, instead of diving into bullet casting at the same time, which is an entirely different subject matter, to get yourself going with cheap bullets, like X-Treme's plated bullets, for example. Those are all I use for 95% of my 9mm and .45 Auto loads.
https://www.xtremebullets.com/45-230-RN-p/xc45-230rn-b0500.htm

 

[AJC1]

Without reading the entire thread, the record scratch moment for me in OP's post was the 100 cases and 100 primers. That's not half a range trip to even start with, and I recommend adding a zero to both those numbers. The other thing is, instead of diving into bullet casting at the same time, which is an entirely different subject matter, to get yourself going with cheap bullets, like X-Treme's plated bullets, for example. Those are all I use for 95% of my 9mm and .45 Auto loads.
https://www.xtremebullets.com/45-230-RN-p/xc45-230rn-b0500.htm

You didn't read the posts so you missed that he is trying to become self sufficient, ergo the casting is a major portion.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

You didn't read the posts so you missed that he is trying to become self sufficient, ergo the casting is a major portion.

I’m kinda proud of myself that I didn’t ask if he could make a decent cuppa coffee using a fire pit percolator.
I still think it’s a basic requirement for becoming a Handloader… but I also realize that I am perhaps a bit old fashioned.

 

[Gone Hiking]

You didn't read the posts so you missed that he is trying to become self sufficient, ergo the casting is a major portion.

That is a wonderful idea that first needs to be mitigated with more brass and primers... and powder! After that, OP should consider the cost/effort of stocking up on cheap and readily available bullets vs. casting, which is an endeavor unto itself. And yes I cast for pricier loads, but don't bother for .45. It's easier and faster to amass many thousands of bullets by sending greenbacks to a manufacturer than is worth the effort required to cast, size, and lube (or powder coat) standard bullets in my free time. I can only offer that I am farther ahead, preparation wise, by purchasing standard variety bullets.

 

[AJC1]

That is a wonderful idea that first needs to be mitigated with more brass and primers... and powder! After that, OP should consider the cost/effort of stocking up on cheap and readily available bullets vs. casting, which is an endeavor unto itself. And yes I cast for pricier loads, but don't bother for .45. It's easier and faster to amass many thousands of bullets by sending greenbacks to a manufacturer than is worth the effort required to cast, size, and lube (or powder coat) standard bullets in my free time. I can only offer that I am farther ahead, preparation wise, by purchasing standard variety bullets.

Prepers care about skills over most things. That's not my motivation but I figured I'd point it out. No intention to be crass but some times I am.

 

[kmw1954]

So I have only read thru the first 2 pages of responses so if this has been linked if you are completely serious about casting bullets then you really need to go visit this web forum;

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php

That is all this site is about, casting bullets. Should keep you busy for weeks! Should be able to find any answer you need as to casting lead.

 

[NMexJim]

Reloading: Seating and Crimping Bullets - Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com/Digest

Tom McHale wrote a series of articles on reloading that you might find helpful. I copied this part as an add-on to seating depth, but you may want to review the series.

 

[TacticalBacon]

I’m kinda proud of myself that I didn’t ask if he could make a decent cuppa coffee using a fire pit percolator.
I still think it’s a basic requirement for becoming a Handloader… but I also realize that I am perhaps a bit old fashioned.

All I need to make a mad cup of joe is a open flame a dinky old pot and a napkin

 

[TacticalBacon]

That is a wonderful idea that first needs to be mitigated with more brass and primers... and powder! After that, OP should consider the cost/effort of stocking up on cheap and readily available bullets vs. casting, which is an endeavor unto itself. And yes I cast for pricier loads, but don't bother for .45. It's easier and faster to amass many thousands of bullets by sending greenbacks to a manufacturer than is worth the effort required to cast, size, and lube (or powder coat) standard bullets in my free time. I can only offer that I am farther ahead, preparation wise, by purchasing standard variety bullets.

Prepers care about skills over most things. That's not my motivation but I figured I'd point it out. No intention to be crass but some times I am.

I would happen to agree with AJC1 to a certain extent alot of my motivation is skill and cost saving per slide lock if i had to categories myself as a reloader i would say im more of a prepper/high volume shooter

though i do agree buying components would be faster and easier to learn but theres nothing to stop me from doing both

Just because i have a mold and melter doesn't mean i must use it for every cartridge i produce hince forth, but for traditions sake,

i would like my first ever reload to be one, i make as premitive as i can with my level of knowledge, because even though im not a subnificantly important person its kinda my homage to the reloader that have come before me.

 

[lordpaxman]

Kudos for going back to square 1.5. Square 1.0 is mining for lead…
I’m just following along, love to hear how it turns out.

 

[teerex.otw]

Kudos for going back to square 1.5. Square 1.0 is mining for lead…
I’m just following along, love to hear how it turns out.

Actually, square 1.0 doesn’t sound that bad…How cool would it be to fire projectiles made from ore you mined yourself !

 

[AJC1]

Actually, square 1.0 doesn’t sound that bad…How cool would it be to fire projectiles made from ore you mined yourself !

If my range allowed it I'd mine their banks, but I'm not interested in ore.

 

[TacticalBacon]

Kudos for going back to square 1.5. Square 1.0 is mining for lead…
I’m just following along, love to hear how it turns out.

I will definitely post my result and maybe a video if permitted and i can find someone to hold the camera

Im still waiting on some crucial components but i should be loading and firing this weekend

 

[TacticalBacon]

Reloading: Seating and Crimping Bullets - Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com/Digest

Tom McHale wrote a series of articles on reloading that you might find helpful. I copied this part as an add-on to seating depth, but you may want to review the series.

Thank you I will read through it as soon as possible

 

[teerex.otw]

If my range allowed it I'd mine their banks, but I'm not interested in ore.

Back in the day when you could still get away with it, I did just that…no telling how many pots-full of “potluck” 38’s I’ve sent downrange…1/2 -range trash, 1/2 -wheel weights with a little solder (worked surprisingly well !)

 

[kmw1954]

As an employee I do have access to the 25yd pistol berm and the last time I was out I recovered 150lbs of scrap in about 40 minutes. Out of that it netted 122lbs of clean lead.

 

[TacticalBacon]

Unfortunately in my area of SC there are no out door ranges unless they are private club ranges the only option i have it beg a indoor range for scraps or dig in my own personal range

 

[TacticalBacon]

Ok everyone i began my casting journey.....

It turned out better than i expected.

the casting part wasn't hard, i watched a guide on how it is done, and the only thing i struggled with was keeping the right cadence to keep the mold at the right temp.



My weights where fairly consistent, with an averge of 222.6 grains , i had some outlyers that where off by a couple grains, so i through those back to be melted again and only kept bullets that where within +/_ 1 grain of average. That being said the bullets i have left are very consistent in weight





My diameters where very consistent at .453, with some that i through back because they where smaller than . 452

I pan lubed my bullets with 1 part vasolin to 3 parts beeswax and added candle wax to gain hardness.



My next venture it to size the boolits to .452

 

[AJC1]

Ok everyone i began my casting journey.....

It turned out better than i expected

the casting part wast hard i watch a guide on how it is done and the only thing i struggled with was keeping the right cadence to keep the mold at the right temp

View attachment 1137637

My weights where fairly consistent with an averge of 222.6 grains , i had some outlyers that where off by a couple graims so i through those back to be melted again and only kept bullets that where within +/_ 1 grain. That being said the bullets i have left are very consistent in weight

View attachment 1137638



My diameters where very consistent at .453 with some that i through back because they where smaller than . 452 View attachment 1137635

I pan lubed my bullets with 1 part vasolin to 3 parts beeswax and added candle wax to gain hardness

View attachment 1137641

My next venture it to size the boolits to .452

View attachment 1137640

Very nice, looks like you nailed it including the cull process. Good bases make accurate bullets!!!

 

[TacticalBacon]

My pan lube process didnt do what i thought it was saposed to do when i pushed the boolits out no lube was in the lube grooves left behind some hade some residual but it was like it never stuck to boolits i wonder what i did incorrectly

 

[BigDmike]

looks like you got a good start. I got hand me downs from my father in law after he went to heaven. Man did i have a good time learning. He had a bucket of cast 357 bullets . I went through all but about 75. Messed up brass. Messed up bullets. Messed up primers. Spilled powder all over everything. I had a mold and a Lube resizing die. My stepson (his grandson) asked about casting. I gave him the casting equipment ,and supplies. I gave him the rest of the Bullets his grandfather casted. Also gave him a press just like your single stage.. The boy is having fun .I'll let him cast and hope he shares with me.. I'm no pro. Still learning. I follow the books and put every bullet in a wilson checker as I call it. If is passes the plink test it's good to go. Keep loading and shootin.

 

[TacticalBacon]

*UPDATE* so i wasnt very happy with the pan lubing process

Its not complex but man does it get messy and sticky fast and my boolits have a tackey sticky feel to them, granted i didnt do it correct the first time so the mess just kinda compounded.

But i did it correct the 2nd time around but at least now i understand how it was done back in the old days and the result that was desired

The wax made a mess of my sizing die and reservoir..

im unsure if its best to just leave it as it is a lubricant or is it best to clean it out and start fresh each time?

All my boolits have lube in the bands and sized correctly

Because my boolits are comming in at 224 grains with lube im gonna use the load data for a 225 grain cast RN from lyman. Please correct me if im not correct on this

 

[dartor]

*UPDATE* so i wasnt very happy with the pan lubing process

Its not complex but man does it get messy and sticky fast and my boolits have a tackey sticky feel to them, granted i didnt do it correct the first time so the mess just kinda compounded.

But i did it correct the 2nd time around but at least now i understand how it was done back in the old days and the result that was desired

The wax made a mess of my sizing die and reservoir..

im unsure if its best to just leave it as it is a lubricant or is it best to clean it out and start fresh each time?

All my boolits have lube in the bands and sized correctly

Because my boolits are comming in at 224 grains with lube im gonna use the load data for a 225 grain cast RN from lyman. Please correct me if im not correct on this

The nice part about casting your own is that if you have ones you don't like toss 'em back in the pot and start over. I recommend powder coating, a lot less messy than lubing. You're off to a great start, your bullets look great. The Lyman 225gn data will be fine to use.

 

[BJung]

I am not a caster but I have never heard any experienced casters say anything but NEVER use battery lead.

I'm arriving late. 40 years ago I used car batteries to cast diving weights. My father loved collecting junk so I had free battery lead. My guess is that each battery made 5lbs of lead. The rest was scrap. There was just a lot of waste trying to recycle the lead and using wheel weights was much easier.
'

 

[BJung]

Is there another alloy to cast with better suited, or would you cast with pure lead and maybe water quence for hardness? ..metal working is my trade as i am a fabricator , but lead is not familiar with in terms of alloys and behavior characteristics under load i would love to hear anyone's advice.

This is my approach now. I use range scrap. Buy a frying mesh strainer to strain out dirt from the scrap bullet lead in the berms. Find an Asian that eats rice and ask them for their empty 20# rice sacks. The sacks are strong. At home, I pick out the jhp bullets. Then I toss the scrap and remaining dirt and wood shreds into an old oil pan and fill the pan with water to stir out the dirt and wood that floats to the surface. Pour out the lead and let it dry on a plastic sheet like a used shower curtain liner. Cast the jhp bullets and stamp the ingots "J" for JHP. Mines scratch at 8bhn and I cast .38 WC and .45 bullets SWC and RN with them. I cast large chunks of lead and the bhn is highter. I use those for 9mm and 40cal. Surpisingly, .22lr is quite hard. I plan to use those with COWW I traded for. From what I've discovered, casters in Africa cast their bullets hard but air cool, find and accuracy load, and then add pure lead to it until the accuracy diminishes. Maybe a water drop bullet will work. Then remove the temper by heating the tip with a torch with the shank and base are in cold water. Since you fabricate, weld 1" angle iron long and wide enough to fit in the USPS small box. Your ingots will store well, and you can mix/add sticks from different lots to equalize the alloy.