casting for 9mm

If the press you are using has a 7/8-14 thread pattern, then all you need to do is buy the Classic Bullet Sizing Kit along with the lube...

Press should be a single stage

The nice thing nowadaus with powder coating is that it can be used instead of lube and adding an extra thou or two to the bullet diameter.


I did a basic overview video a while ago


Ok thanks. Sizing kit it is then. Interesting video. It's a long process from cast to PC.
 
My first molds I bought 20+ years ago, Lee 6 cav. I had a friend who was old hand at casting teach me how.
I wish every mold I have was a 6 cav.
My 9mm mold is Lee's 356-125 2r.
My 40 is the 401- 175gr TC with a single grease groove.
 
Ok thanks. Sizing kit it is then. Interesting video. It's a long process from cast to PC.

Actually, PC'ing is the least expensive & quickest operation of the casting journey..$15 dollars worth of powder & a $15 dollar old toaster oven from a re-cycle store and about 1/2 hr to do 3 or 400 slugs ( 10 min swirling & placing on a cooking sheet & 20 min cooking).

The reality of the situation is that the time spent learning the PC operation and its benefits to your cast bullet experience will pay untold dividends in time spent & instant gratification with your results.
 
Actually, PC'ing is the least expensive & quickest operation of the casting journey..$15 dollars worth of powder & a $15 dollar old toaster oven from a re-cycle store and about 1/2 hr to do 3 or 400 slugs ( 10 min swirling & placing on a cooking sheet & 20 min cooking).

The reality of the situation is that the time spent learning the PC operation and its benefits to your cast bullet experience will pay untold dividends in time spent & instant gratification with your results.

Interesting. So how much does it cost for a supply of PC and how long would it last? Is there one PC that is better than most?
 
Actually, PC'ing is the least expensive & quickest operation of the casting journey..$15 dollars worth of powder & a $15 dollar old toaster oven from a re-cycle store and about 1/2 hr to do 3 or 400 slugs ( 10 min swirling & placing on a cooking sheet & 20 min cooking).

The reality of the situation is that the time spent learning the PC operation and its benefits to your cast bullet experience will pay untold dividends in time spent & instant gratification with your results.

First in order I guess is to learn the casting process, but I have to say the whole process of PC'ing does look interesting. Where do you order your powder from?
 
Or KMS Tools, Princess Auto or the best place for me is any commercial coater in the area, they always have color over-runs that can usually be had just for the asking. I was once given a paint pail full of JD yellow that will last me 3 lifetimes of coating.

Some of the boys that PC have complained about the coverage they got with fluorescent colors and I personally would never use any of the "metal flake powders", dont need any of that metal flake scouring the bore of an expensive barrel.

other than that, bob's yer uncle on powder choices.
 
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I would suggest the TL 356-124-2R If feeds well in every 9mm I have tried.

I use the same. TL molds work well for me. I cast them, tumble lube them with Lee Liquid Alox and shoot them. I scored two new TL 356-124-2R molds at the Brooks show this past weekend. Deaner and and I are going to cast up a storm to feed out PC9's. :d

Edit: I checked and I have a 6 cavity as well. I haven't had to size my bullets for my PC9. I used to shoot a CZ75 quite a bit and I think I recall sizing for it. Good old LEE Liquid Alox is all I've ever used for lubing. If I am shooting warmer loads in rifle, I tumble lube, then put a little blue lube (LBT I think it is) in the grooves with my fingers.

Casting can be fairly simple, especially for pistol. I was scared off casting many years ago when an old shooter/caster explained it to me. He made it sound quite complicated. Not so! I have two LEE 10 lb pots. Those poor pots have cast a wicked pile of ingots and bullets. Guys complain about them leaking and so on. Like any other fiddly little thing, they might need cleaning. I keep a screwdriver nearby for when a pot starts to drip. I give the needle a few twists and away we go again!

I am not a precision shooter, so my bullets need not all look absolutely perfect. I use LEE molds. Often, the first or second bullet is good enough to carry on. Always a debate on whether to "smoke" a mold or not, how to clean a mold, what to use as lube, how to lube, and so on. KISS is my motto, and I have enjoyed casting for probably thirty years. Still enjoy casting. The worst "problem" is shooting enough to justify another casting session. :d
 
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I use the same. TL molds work well for me. I cast them, tumble lube them with Lee Liquid Alox and shoot them. I scored two new TL 365-124-2R molds at the Brooks show this past weekend. Deaner and and I are going to cast up a storm to feed out PC9's. :d

Looks like I may have ordered the wrong one then.. I ordered the 356-125-2R. I hope it works out because it's already shipped!
 
Looks like I may have ordered the wrong one then.. I ordered the 356-125-2R. I hope it works out because it's already shipped!
That mould will be fine. Several of my friends use it with good results in a variety of guns. The only issue I have had with that bullet is that due to its relatively large ogive you have to be careful about maximum cartridge length if your gun has a tight chamber such as in my CZ Tactical Sport pistols for which I have to seat the bullets a little deeper to make sure they chamber consistently. I don't have the same problem with my Kimber Target II and STI Trojan 9mm 1911s.

I size them to .356.
 
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Well I took the old Lyman apart to clean it up and repaint with high temp black enamel. Now that I'm putting it back together I'm noticing the fiberglass gasket ( is that what it is and called ) where the cord end plugs into the two prongs is really flaking and breaking in places. Is there something I can cut and shape to put over the top of it or perhaps purchase something to replace it?
 

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That is a Mica insulator

Just put her together again, you should be fine.

In the future you might want to get high temp fish paper or bakelite to replace. Might even find some mica sheets if you look hard enough
 
Fish paper??? Never heard of it. Mica I've heard of. I did notice at one point last week when I first posted this thread that when I plugged it in I seen a flash of light come from the very same connection ( like an arc of electricity ). Just don't want this thing starting a fire although I'd never leave it plugged in unattended .
 
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