Thinking of casting

[res45]

Kmw1954 The 357 Magnum was my first foray into casting as well, I learned pretty quick on my own as there was no internet or forums to glean information from that fit is king and hard bullets are not always best, my Ruger BH shoots bullets size to .359" best and no commercial cast bullet mfg. sold those dia. bullets so my bullet casting started at that point and I never looked back.

Most individuals that have issues with leading in 9 mm handguns don't do the proper research before buying commercial cast bullets or a mold to cast their own. Not all 9 mm handguns are made equal there are a variety of different throats / styles of leads that affect bullet seating depth especially with RN bullets, TC or SWC style not so much. Then there is groove diameter, they are all over the place in 9 mm handgun and it seems to run the gamut form .355" all the way up to .358" My CANIK TP9SA shoots best with bullets sized to .357" don't even bother trying a .356" dia. cast bullet it's just not going to be accurate.

To hard of a cast bullet be it undersized or borderline on fit can cause leading because the bullet want obturate to fill the grooves along with the lube and seal the bore, I cast all my rifle and handgun bullets mostly from 50/ 50 Lead / Wheel Weights with a bit of tin and either air cool or water quench if I need a little extra hardness, I've shot that alloy blend in rifles at 2300 fps. with no issues. I also powder coat most all my bullets but the PC is just for lubrication purposes an easy of long term storage of bullets that I let age out. Some use PC to help stop leading issues which it does for some but some still get leading even with powder coated bullets. Most leading issues in rifles and handguns is an easy fix if you know whats causing it.

A good read on casting for handguns but it applies to rifle loads about as well.
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I started reloading 30 years ago. Then, I progressed into handloading (which, to me, means I'm not just plugging in values from a book - I'm calculating reduced loads, loading cartridges with no data available, etc).

I started casting about 3 years ago, and it opened an entire new book to the hobby.
One becomes more intimately involved with the firearm when casting; finding just the thing that tickles it.

The variety of projectiles increases immensely, and the capabilities of each cartridge expand.

I can cast a 90 grain projectile for my .30-06, or a 200 grain for a 357 Mag.
I can make wadcutters for my 44s, both Special and Mag.
I can make a specific projectile to make my shot-out 91/30 Mosin perform.

Try it, you'll like it !

 

[Texasgrillchef]

I thought about casting....

Then I realized more and more states and well as gun ranges are going Lead Free. That is you cant hint with ammo containing lead. Even some gun ranges are starting to limit some forms of lead ammo.

With that being the case, i am not looking at other ways of making projectiles. Some ammo makers are making solid copper and solid brass as well as plastic (polymer) based projectiles.

So as a result i am holding back investing i. Such equipment.

 

[IWAC]

Before starting to cast your own bullets...SAFETY FIRST, and ALWAYS! I watched a casting tutorial on YouTube, and the fellow was casting in shorts, a tank top, and athletic shoes. That is a recipe for disaster! My dad was a welder during WWII, and told me he welded under the keels of ships,where there was not much room. If a bit of molten metal got into his welding leathers, he just had to lay there till it cooled. I remember his scars. LONG cotton pants...not the WalMart specials that have a high synthetic content. My nephew found out about that when he was using an angle grinder, and the sparks ignited his jeans. Long sleeved cotton or wool shirt, face shield or safety glasses, and hat. The Military recommends cotton underwear, because heat on outer layers can melt synthetics, causing a more severe burn. Heavy cotton or wool socks, to keep stray lead from areas you don't want it. Leather gloves, and/or a leather welder's apron. Harbor freight has relatively inexpen$ive ones. Overkill? Maybe, but I remember the summer day when my wife and infant daughter came into the garage to see what I was doing, and my melting pot exploded! Fortunately, my body was between them and it, and no one was injured. Be safe, and enjoy a pleasant pastime!

 

[brewer12345]

Good points on safety. II wear a leather apron, welding gloves, and a face shield in addition to non synthetic clothing. All no big deal to do, but important.

 

[rfwobbly]

Too bad you're so far away. I could put you in the 30 cal casting business this afternoon !! Pot, molds, lead, sizer... the works !