Bullet Casting

How many of you out there cast your own bullets? if so what calibers do you cast for? Do you use traditional lube or powder coat them?

I'm a caster and I thoroughly enjoy it.. I cast for a lot of different calibers as most of what I shoot personally are long obsolete so casting is really the only way. I hunt mostly with cast as well.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you are all doing.

Grumpy

I’m casting 45,10mm,308,45-70

I powder coat, tried wax and the powder coating I’m getting better results.

Cast for 12ga slug, 38, 9mm, 41, 44, 45, 10mm. Mostly powder coat or the lee lube. Never had any issues with leading except for some hot 357 loads with the lee lube. I was a bit stingy with it.

Casting - 45/70, 45/75, 45/60,( different weight) 38 special WC, .357 SWC, 44 special WC., .44 mag, 45 colt.

Cast for:

.577 Snider and 577/450 Martini - and I use a home brew lube with these made from beeswax, lanolin and lard.

For 303, 44Mag, 357/38 I use a traditional lyman sizer/lube press - so I can add the gas checks.

for .310 cadet and .455 Webley - I tumble lube in the lee liquid alox

I cast for 45-70, 45-90, 45-75, 40-82, 40-72, 35 wcf, 38-55, 50-70, 38-40, 44-40, 30-30, 30-40 krag, 44 mag, 45 colt, 25-20, 33 wcf, 348 Winchester, some muzzle-loaders and shotgun slugs too.

I pretty much strictly powder coat now as it works so well, to the point I even powder coat my minie balls for my old enfields (I still grease the lubes though).

johnrw said:

Cast for:

.577 Snider and 577/450 Martini - and I use a home brew lube with these made from beeswax, lanolin and lard.

For 303, 44Mag, 357/38 I use a traditional lyman sizer/lube press - so I can add the gas checks.

for .310 cadet and .455 Webley - I tumble lube in the lee liquid alox

Click to expand...

What molds do you use for the .577 and the 577/450? I've got a buddy been wondering if I would cast him some for his snider

I got both Snider and Martini molds from Martyn at x-ring Services

xringservices at yahoo.com

Snider #60-530XR

Martini #47-475XR - this is the grease groove one - he also does a paper patch mold.

He does cases for the Snider/Martini as well, when he can get the 24 ga brass.

Grumpy Wolverine said:

What molds do you use for the .577 and the 577/450? I've got a buddy been wondering if I would cast him some for his snider

Click to expand...

Curious about molds for those calibers too. I did some .462" for someone with a 577-450 but I think they often need larger diameter.

Almost everything I reload is cast and many are oddball chamberings. Probably have around a hundred molds at this point.

My buddy casts for 9mm, .45, and 7.62x25. I'm going to get him to teach me how to do it this summer hopefully so I can start making my own as I have a lot more calibres I need bullets for. He only powdercoats. He also makes buckshot, and has a shotmaker to make birdshot for trap and skeet.

Casting 9 mm 38 45 and 40 with a master caster and sizing with feed through sizer from same company in Phoenix. Make my own lube with paraffin bees wax and a product called do all. Do all is an extremely good lube used for lubing metal cutting blades. Get my bees wax from a place close to McGregor Manitoba.

About 1500 pounds lead on hand. Cast for a few friends and me only.

cast 45acp 9mm 38S&W 45-70, use normal lube no powder coating

.30/06 FTW said:

My buddy casts for 9mm, .45, and 7.62x25. I'm going to get him to teach me how to do it this summer hopefully so I can start making my own as I have a lot more calibres I need bullets for. He only powdercoats. He also makes buckshot, and has a shotmaker to make birdshot for trap and skeet.

Click to expand...

I have to warn you, it's addicting LOL. That is cool on the shot tower, I haven't seen anyone using those in years. I knew a fellow way back that had on setup in his shop

johnrw said:

I got both Snider and Martini molds from Martyn at x-ring Services

xringservices at yahoo.com

Snider #60-530XR

Martini #47-475XR - this is the grease groove one - he also does a paper patch mold.

He does cases for the Snider/Martini as well, when he can get the 24 ga brass.

Click to expand...

thanks for the info, buddy has got some bertram 577 that came with his rifle, so he should be okay that way. I'll reach out to X-ring for a snider mold.

I have been serious reloader and caster for over 50 years.

I shoot smokeless and blackpowder (cartridge & muzzleloader)

My lubes run from several homemade concoctions to Dragon Lube (Lee Alox type)

So far I have not gone the powder coat route as I'm kind of an Old School Reloader - Shooter, but you never know, I'm not dead yet.

MOLDS

.301 Antique Round Ball Dual

311413 DUAL SPITZER 169 grn LYMAN (.308) Gas Check

309 #316 150 grain FN SAECO Gas Check

311-100-2R LEE Double Round Nose (for 7.5 Swiss Revolver)
311 #305 180 grn FN SAECO (.303 British) Gas Check
311359 DUAL SPITZER GC 115 grn LYMAN Gas Check
311 LEE RB #90406 45 GRN COLT POCKET PISTOL

124 82027 RCBS
356402 T/C 120 grn LYMAN
356402 T/C 120 grn IDEAL

.330 FRENCH LEBEL REVOLVER
.330-115 NEI 115grn

358-125-RF LEE 6 CAVITY (125grn ROUND NOSE FLAT POINT)
358091 DUAL W/C 148 grn LYMAN

358344 DUAL W/C 150 grn LYMAN
358344 DUAL W/C 150 grn LYMAN
358242 DUAL R/N 121 grn LYMAN
.38-150 RCBS 82032
.358425 W/C 112 grn LYMAN

360 RB 90418 LEE

.36 MAYNARD RIFLE
378166 MOOSE MOLD

.365 Makarov
365-95-1R 95 GRN LEE

.375
#375449 .375/.38 264 GRN FN Lyman Gas Check

.38
375 ROUND BALL OHAS

.386
Antique – no grease grooves

.416 (Rigby)
416 - 350 - FN 416 Caliber (417 Diameter) 350 GRN FN RCBS Gas Check

.43 SPANISH
439186 370 GRN RN, BB LYMAN

.44
429-200-RF (200 GRN ROUND NOSE FLAT POINT) 90285 LEE

44 ROUND BALL & CONICAL ?? ITALY

44-370-FN RCBS 370 GRN 43 MAUSER

.442
Antique Round Ball

.45 Handgun
45-200 RCBS
452-200 SWC LEE 6 CAVITY 200 GRN-SWC
452-230-2R LEE 6 CAVITY 230 GRN-RN
452-255 RF LEE 6 CAVITY (255 GRN ROUND NOSE FLAT POINT)
454427 .457 LYMAN single (250grn)???
440 RB LYMAN
445 RB 90438 LEE
457 RB 90444 LEE

.45 Rifle
451 (USA 308-451 Gibbs) 520 GRN PEDERSOLI
457 121 475 GRN LYMAN PH Whitworth

457 406 475 GRN RN Gas Check IDEAL
457-340-F 340 GRN FP 903373 LEE
457-405-F 405 GRN FP 903374 LEE
45 REAL 250GRN 90391 LEE
45 MINIE 294GRN .450 90467 LEE

.457 WEBLEY
.457 4 cavity – Custom

.468 MARTINI HENRY
.468-480 CBE

.485
Antique Round Ball

.50
490 RB 90448 LEE
490 RB RCBS DUAL CAVITY
495 RB 90449 LEE
50 MINIE 360GRN .500 90472 LEE
50 REAL 320GRN 90396 LEE
50 MAXI-BALL T/C

51- 450 GC - .500 JEFFERY
.512 - 450 GRN Accurate Mold - Gas Check

.513 N.O.E.
513 850Gr. FN 4 cavity Gas Check

.515 SMITH - MAYNARD - SPENCER

.515 Italy
.515-385 RAPINE

.515139c LYMAN 340 GRAIN

.54
530 RB 90283 LEE
535 RB 90456 LEE
54 MINIE 410GRN .533 90473 LEE
54 REAL 380GRN 90396 LEE
54 MAXI-BALL T/C

.58
.58 MINIE .584 584-419 Hogdon RCBS
.58 IMP MINIE O/Size .578 90478 LEE
.58 MINIE .575 90481 LEE
.58 IMP MINIE .575 90476 LEE
.58 REAL 440GRN 90403 LEE
.58 ROUND BALL .570 LYMAN
.58 ROUND BALL ?? ITALY
.58 MINIE ?? ITALY
.58 MINIE .575 90475 LEE MODERN MINIE
.58 TRASH CAN W/C .580 580515 CHALLANGIR
.58 TRASH CAN W/C .582 582515 CHALLANGIR
.58 TRASH CAN W/C .585 585515 CHALLANGIR
.580 WILKINSON LEE

.562
.562 ROUND BALL LYMAN (Burnside Carbine)

.600
.600 Snider Enfield - 530grn Xring Services

.12 Gauge .685
.12 SABOT SLUG LYMAN

.69
.680 RB LYMAN

.75
.715 RB LYMAN
.735 RB LYMAN

I might be missing a few.

My list below does not include muzzleloaders that range from .75 - .31
9 x 18 MAK*
9MM LUGER*
.38-357*
.38 S&W*
.40 S&W*
.44 RUSSIAN*
.44-40*
.442 WEBLEY*
.450 ADAMS*
.45 COLT*
.45 ACP*
.455 WEBLEY*

Rifle
.223*
.22-250*
.270*
6.5x55*
6.5 Creedmoor*
7x57 Mauser*
7mm-08*
.300 Blackout*
.308*
30-06*
7.62 X 39*
.303*
7.5 Swiss*
7.62x54R*
8x57JS Mauser*
.338 Lapua Mag*
.35 Whelen*
.36 Maynard*
.375 H&H*
.416 Rigby*
.43 Beaumont*
.43 Spanish*
.43 Mauser*
.45-70*
.458 Win Mag*
.458 Lott*
.50 Smith Carbine
Maynard
Burnside
.500 Jeffery*
.56-50 Spencer
.577 Snider*
.577- 450 MH*

Shotgun
.12*
.16
.410*

45/70, 444 Marlin/44mag, 410 slug and 20g slug. I powder coat as well as lube depending on my mood mostly!! I don't do a lot of hunting though that will change when I retire (soon). Tend to shoot factory when hunting.

Cheers

cigar_man said:

I have been serious reloader and caster for over 50 years.

I shoot smokeless and blackpowder (cartridge & muzzleloader)

My lubes run from several homemade concoctions to Dragon Lube (Lee Alox type)

MOLDS

.301 Antique Round Ball Dual

311413 DUAL SPITZER 169 grn LYMAN (.308) Gas Check

309 #316 150 grain FN SAECO Gas Check

311-100-2R LEE Double Round Nose (for 7.5 Swiss Revolver)
311 #305 180 grn FN SAECO (.303 British) Gas Check
311359 DUAL SPITZER GC 115 grn LYMAN Gas Check
311 LEE RB #90406 45 GRN COLT POCKET PISTOL

124 82027 RCBS
356402 T/C 120 grn LYMAN
356402 T/C 120 grn IDEAL

.330 FRENCH LEBEL REVOLVER
.330-115 NEI 115grn

358-125-RF LEE 6 CAVITY (125grn ROUND NOSE FLAT POINT)
358091 DUAL W/C 148 grn LYMAN

358344 DUAL W/C 150 grn LYMAN
358344 DUAL W/C 150 grn LYMAN
358242 DUAL R/N 121 grn LYMAN
.38-150 RCBS 82032
.358425 W/C 112 grn LYMAN

360 RB 90418 LEE

.36 MAYNARD RIFLE
378166 MOOSE MOLD

.365 Makarov
365-95-1R 95 GRN LEE

.375
#375449 .375/.38 264 GRN FN Lyman Gas Check

.38
375 ROUND BALL OHAS

.386
Antique – no grease grooves

.416 (Rigby)
416 - 350 - FN 416 Caliber (417 Diameter) 350 GRN FN RCBS Gas Check

.43 SPANISH
439186 370 GRN RN, BB LYMAN

.44
429-200-RF (200 GRN ROUND NOSE FLAT POINT) 90285 LEE

44 ROUND BALL & CONICAL ?? ITALY

44-370-FN RCBS 370 GRN 43 MAUSER

.442
Antique Round Ball

.45 Handgun
45-200 RCBS
452-200 SWC LEE 6 CAVITY 200 GRN-SWC
452-230-2R LEE 6 CAVITY 230 GRN-RN
452-255 RF LEE 6 CAVITY (255 GRN ROUND NOSE FLAT POINT)
454427 .457 LYMAN single (250grn)???
440 RB LYMAN
445 RB 90438 LEE
457 RB 90444 LEE

.45 Rifle
451 (USA 308-451 Gibbs) 520 GRN PEDERSOLI
457 121 475 GRN LYMAN PH Whitworth

457 406 475 GRN RN Gas Check IDEAL
457-340-F 340 GRN FP 903373 LEE
457-405-F 405 GRN FP 903374 LEE
45 REAL 250GRN 90391 LEE
45 MINIE 294GRN .450 90467 LEE

.457 WEBLEY
.457 4 cavity – Custom

.468 MARTINI HENRY
.468-480 CBE

.485
Antique Round Ball

.50
490 RB 90448 LEE
490 RB RCBS DUAL CAVITY
495 RB 90449 LEE
50 MINIE 360GRN .500 90472 LEE
50 REAL 320GRN 90396 LEE
50 MAXI-BALL T/C

51- 450 GC - .500 JEFFERY
.512 - 450 GRN Accurate Mold - Gas Check

.513 N.O.E.
513 850Gr. FN 4 cavity Gas Check

.515 SMITH - MAYNARD - SPENCER

.515 Italy
.515-385 RAPINE

.515139c LYMAN 340 GRAIN

.54
530 RB 90283 LEE
535 RB 90456 LEE
54 MINIE 410GRN .533 90473 LEE
54 REAL 380GRN 90396 LEE
54 MAXI-BALL T/C

.58
.58 MINIE .584 584-419 Hogdon RCBS
.58 IMP MINIE O/Size .578 90478 LEE
.58 MINIE .575 90481 LEE
.58 IMP MINIE .575 90476 LEE
.58 REAL 440GRN 90403 LEE
.58 ROUND BALL .570 LYMAN
.58 ROUND BALL ?? ITALY
.58 MINIE ?? ITALY
.58 MINIE .575 90475 LEE MODERN MINIE
.58 TRASH CAN W/C .580 580515 CHALLANGIR
.58 TRASH CAN W/C .582 582515 CHALLANGIR
.58 TRASH CAN W/C .585 585515 CHALLANGIR
.580 WILKINSON LEE

.562
.562 ROUND BALL LYMAN (Burnside Carbine)

.600
.600 Snider Enfield - 530grn Xring Services

.12 Gauge .685
.12 SABOT SLUG LYMAN

.69
.680 RB LYMAN

.75
.715 RB LYMAN
.735 RB LYMAN

I might be missing a few.

My list below does not include muzzleloaders that range from .75 - .31
9 x 18 MAK*
9MM LUGER*
.38-357*
.38 S&W*
.40 S&W*
.44 RUSSIAN*
.44-40*
.442 WEBLEY*
.450 ADAMS*
.45 COLT*
.45 ACP*
.455 WEBLEY*

Rifle
.223*
.22-250*
.270*
6.5x55*
6.5 Creedmoor*
7x57 Mauser*
7mm-08*
.300 Blackout*
.308*
30-06*
7.62 X 39*
.303*
7.5 Swiss*
7.62x54R*
8x57JS Mauser*
.338 Lapua Mag*
.35 Whelen*
.36 Maynard*
.375 H&H*
.416 Rigby*
.43 Beaumont*
.43 Spanish*
.43 Mauser*
.45-70*
.458 Win Mag*
.458 Lott*
.50 Smith
.500 Jeffery*
.56-50*
.577 Snider*
.577- 450 MH*

Shotgun
.12*
.16
.410*

Click to expand...

It is nice to see someone with a bigger addiction than myself LOL

I got both Snider and Martini molds from Martyn at x-ring Services

xringservices at yahoo.com

Snider #60-530XR

Martini #47-475XR - this is the grease groove one - he also does a paper patch mold.

He does cases for the Snider/Martini as well, when he can get the 24 ga brass.

Click to expand...

I will second that.

I have been shooting the Snider and Martini for over 50 years with every cast bullet imaginable.

Don't ask how many I own,,,,,,,,,,, I need to go to Snider Anonymous.

I actually started the Snider Enfield Facebook group years ago with members that checkin from all over the world.

Martyns X-Ring Services Snider #60-530XR is the best, although you have to use the 24 gauge converted brass to use this bullet.

cigar_man said:

I will second that.

I have been shooting the Snider and Martini for over 50 years with every cast bullet imaginable.

Don't ask how many I own,,,,,,,,,,, I need to go to Snider Anonymous.

Martyns X-Ring Services Snider #60-530XR is the best, although you have to use the 24 gauge converted brass to use this bullet.

Click to expand...

So that won't work with the bertram 577 brass then?

So that won't work with the bertram 577 brass then?

Click to expand...

Sorry to say, but no, they won't as the brass is too thick at the mouth.

I have been making my own Snider brass for years using the Magtech 24 brass.

Although, it's a lot less hassle to buy formed Snider brass direct from X Ring.

I use lee dies to form the brass, fire once with .480 bullet.

Once the brass is fire formed, you can then switch over to the Martyn's .600 bullet.

The accuracy of Martyn's bullet is beyond expectations.

If your on facebookie, drop on over as there is a sheet ton of information on the page and I'm sure you will recognize some of the names from GunNutz.