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steel13
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| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
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Posted: 26 March 2008 06:39 PM |
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I got a really good deal on a RCBS lubrisizer ( $30, new in the box) and 130#s of unknown lead from work but this is all I have. I need the pot, moulds, sizers, ect.
I have heard diffrent opions and have read the various claims from manufacturers. Now I just need to get past the B.S.
I do have a electic burner, similar to a stove burner w/ a variable heat control and a big cast iron pot. I think it is a dutch oven. Can i get away with this low cost option?
I know that asking a preference of moulds is going to open a can of worms, but I'll throw out what I'm what I plan to cast to see what ya all think. probably three diffrent rifle calibers. 223 through an ar varminter, 243, an some 150 to 180 grain 30 cal bullets for various deer rifles. I like the profiles of the RCBS rifle bullets.I believe there a semi-spitzer design.
Handguns will be 9mm, 357,40. 41, 44, 45acp. and 45 long colt and possibly 500 s&w inthe near future.
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armoredman
Handloading Master
| Joined: | 8 April 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 541 |
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Posted: 27 March 2008 01:08 AM |
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I have a Lee 10 pound production pot, bottom pour, and I find it easy to use. LOTS of casting info at castboolits.com, they're the guys that got me into it. I am going to order a mould and gas checks for the AK soon.
Rifle rounds need gas checks, little copper disks pressed on the base of the bullet. Pistol cast usually do not. I cast for 9mm and 38, and found a Lee Tumble Lube .356 diameter 124gr mould that actually drops at .360. So, I can use the Lee .356 push through sizer to use this for 9mm, and the .358 sizer to make it for 38 Spl.
Check out Midway's selection for a rough idea of what is avilable, and just like everything else with reloading, the first one you try probably won't be the perfect one.
I have a couple of 38 moulds I don't use, as well.
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Charley
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| Joined: | 9 September 2005 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2223 |
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Posted: 27 March 2008 03:50 AM |
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Castboolits is a very good board for information, some very knowledgable folks there, many from the old cast bullet board on Shooters.com.
You can cast with the heatsource and pot, I did it for several years. It IS cheap, but kind of a PITA. I also have a Lee Production Pot Four, works fine for most uses. The Lyman and RCBS pots are nice, but awfully expensive. Lee pots are much more affordable, and work well when you know them and their quirks.
My molds are a combination of Lee, RCBS, Lyman, and a couple of old SAECO designs. They ALL work, they all drop usable bullets. Iron molds will stand certain types of abuse better than aluminum molds. If you are the type who can break an anvil, buy the more expensive iron molds from Lyman and RCBS. If you can use tools and read directions, the Lee aluminum molds work well.
In rifles, I'd start out with your .30 calibers. Larger diameter cast bullets are more forgiving than smaller calibers. Semispitzers or spitzers can be very tricky as cast bullets, start with either a flatnose or roundnose design. As armoredman said, gas checks are a good idea with rifle bullets, if you plan on more than 1000 FPS.
Handguns, I'd start with one of the .45s. Both the Colt and ACP shoot very wel with cast, and are easier to get good results from for a beginer. The others work well, too, but the 9x19 is sometimes tougher to find a good bullet/load combination.
When it comes to lubes, everybod has a favorite. For a lubrisizer, I like Lyman's Black Moly...messy as Hell, but works for me. For as cast bullets, Lee's Liquid Alox is a great product. Quick and easy to use
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armoredman
Handloading Master
| Joined: | 8 April 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 541 |
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Posted: 27 March 2008 05:36 AM |
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| I have lubes I have never used - Lee Liquid Alox is what I like, quick and easy, and cheap. Messier than other lubes, though. Each Lee push through sizer comes with a 4oz tube, last quite a while.
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steel13
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 27 March 2008 05:55 AM |
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| Thanks armoredman!!!
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steel13
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 27 March 2008 05:56 AM |
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| LOL
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steel13
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 28 March 2008 11:07 PM |
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The more I research, It's seeming that the Lee tumble lube bullets are the most cost effective.Considering that you dont have to size or convetionally lube. Any one use these?
Might have to sell the lubrasizer.
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Charley
Administrator
| Joined: | 9 September 2005 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2223 |
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Posted: 29 March 2008 03:04 AM |
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| You don't have to size conventional bullets, either, if they fit the throat properly. LLA works well on most bullet designs, not just tumble lubes.
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steel13
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 8 May 2008 02:16 AM |
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Well to give an up date, the electric burner couldn't get my pot hot enough to smelt the lead. SNAFU! The guy that I was going to apprentice has moved. On a more positive note I have placed some bids on some tumble lube moulds in 9mm,40, 44,45. Those in addition to the moulds that I got from one of our brethren in .38 I'll be set for most of my pistol/carbine calibers.
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Charley
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| Joined: | 9 September 2005 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2223 |
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Posted: 8 May 2008 03:22 AM |
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For smaller bullets, the 10 pound Lee Production Pot is a good buy. Cheap enough, and does a decent job. The Lyman and RCBS bottom pours are nice, but pretty pricey.
I hope your bids are low on the TL molds, new they run right at $20 for a two cavity, and less than $40 for a six banger. Lee also has some .30 caliber single cavity molds on closeout on thier website.http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/surplus.html
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"You all can go to Hell, I'm going to Texas" David Crockett (and probably George Bush)
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steel13
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 29 May 2008 07:51 AM |
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Finally got some bullets cast tonite, from the moulds that I was given by Armoredrman.
Sure the bullets dont look the best,but for a first attempt, not bad.
I ended up heating up the pot on the gas BBQ ( I know, what a redneck) but it worked.
I do not have any idea what the composition is, they do cut with a thumb nail, so I believe them to be fairly soft.
I'll load them light.
Last edited on 29 May 2008 07:54 AM by steel13
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armoredman
Handloading Master
| Joined: | 8 April 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 541 |
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Posted: 29 May 2008 05:19 PM |
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| Way to go, sir! Have fun experimenting. Wheel weights give the best alloy I have found. Really soft lead may cause leading if driven very fast or very slow.
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steel13
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
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Posted: 29 May 2008 05:40 PM |
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This bulk of Pb I have is really dirty, and I have no way of determining it's metallurgy. From the lead left over, I cast some ingots. Hopefully with those I can add WW to get my mix right.
My B-day is coming up soon and I E-mailed my wife my Midway wish list, and hopefully a Lee production pot and a few 6 gang tumble lube moulds are in my future.
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Charley
Administrator
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Posted: 30 May 2008 03:29 AM |
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steel13 wrote: This bulk of Pb I have is really dirty, and I have no way of determining it's metallurgy. From the lead left over, I cast some ingots. Hopefully with those I can add WW to get my mix right.
My B-day is coming up soon and I E-mailed my wife my Midway wish list, and hopefully a Lee production pot and a few 6 gang tumble lube moulds are in my future.
You've got the casting disease for sure. I'd point at you and laugh, except it isn't polite!
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"You all can go to Hell, I'm going to Texas" David Crockett (and probably George Bush)
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steel13
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! |
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Posted: 30 May 2008 02:44 PM |
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I was giggling like a little school girl when those first two bullets popped out of the mold.
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SCSlim
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 2 May 2008 |
| Location: | Boise, Idaho USA |
| Posts: | 180 |
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Posted: 31 May 2008 05:08 AM |
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That schoolgirl giddiness comes over me every time I shoot the loads I make with bullets I cast my own self using data recipes I worked up for them. For me, the whole process of rolling my own ammo is almost a religious experience. It's certainly magical. If only I could figure out a way to make the primers, powder and brass as easily as casting bullets.
Last edited on 31 May 2008 05:14 AM by SCSlim
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steel13
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
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Posted: 21 July 2008 05:45 PM |
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ok so my most recent attempt didnt fair as well as hoped. I tried to cast some 230 gr TL's out of my new 6 gang mold. The lead I have is way to soft for an auto loader, just the transition up the feed ramp deforms the bullet terribly. I think perhaps maybe I can use it in my wheel guns but I'm not sure. It'll probably lead the barrel. I may just be stuck with a lifetimes worth of lead for my muzzle loaders. I do plan on going down to the tire shop today and getting WW.
My attempts of capitalizing on the free lead I got is turning out to be quite expensive.
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drinks
Handloading Master
| Joined: | 6 February 2005 |
| Location: | Trinity, Texas USA |
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Posted: 21 July 2008 08:28 PM |
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13, I have been casting about 50 years, did not really know what I was doing the first 40, but they did shoot, some of the time anyway.
Get wheel weights!!!!!!!!, they are about the best blend of lead, antimony, tin and arsenic for most purposes.
Tin, in small amounts, 2-3% help the bullets fill out,no wrinkles, antimony hardenes the lead, arsenic allowes you to water drop or oven heat treat the bullets to make them very hard without becoming brittle.
I would highly recommend a hardness tester, the Lee microscope takes some learning, but is very accurate and is the least expensive.
You can get a CD from a person in Florida for $6, over 450 pages of really good casting info from the Cast Bullet Assn.
The soft lead you have can be mixed with WWs to make bullets suited to special purposes.
You are doing fine, just keep on.
Don
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steel13
HB Life Member
| Joined: | 21 December 2007 |
| Location: | I Live In The Rain, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 207 |
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Posted: 21 July 2008 08:43 PM |
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Thanks for the encouragement Don, I will stick with it. I got to much of the kids's college fund spent not to make it work. LOL 
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Hunter
HB Full Member
| Joined: | 12 June 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 39 |
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Posted: 27 July 2008 06:31 PM |
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I wrote an article on casting a little while back using Lyman tools.
Though I am no expert it may help you.
http://ezine.m1911.org/casting_frame.htm
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