Crean Hill Gun Club Casting Seminar

[slug]

On Saturday June 24, starting at 10:00 am, we are hosting a seminar on casting. We will be making rifle and handgun bullets, round balls, and cannon balls.

This is not a course. It is free and if for demonstration purposes only.

Local experts from various clubs have agreed to come out and show their casting methods.

It will give new casters a chance to watch the "experts", ask questions.

You will also be given an opportunity to try your hand at casting.

Lots of different types of equipment will be on display.


If you are interesting in learning about casting please come out.

We will be there from 10 until 2 pm.

Everyone is welcome.


It will be outdoors so if it is raining we may do the demonstration on the indoor range.


You can PM TBRWLF for details or email trevorweise@hotmail.com.

 

[yomomma]

Cool....man!

 

[GunsNotPuns]

Casting isn't something that I want to get into anytime soon -- not conducive with apartment life -- but I would definitely like to learn more about it for the future. I'll definitely try and make this!

 

[ted_dent]

Casting isn't for everyone but with the cost of commercial lead bullets around 10-11 cents each for 44s & 45s and 8-9 cents for 38s and 9mm, bullets are now by far the most expensive component in a reloaded cartridge. Cases may cost more initially but numerous reloadings can amortize their cost down to 1 to 2 cents per round or less. Even if you're not a yomomma level of lead scrounger and have to pay $1 pound for smelted wheel weight ingots you can still turn out 45s for about 3 cents a bullet and 9mm for less than 2 cents each. That makes for pretty cheap shooting. Of course you have to buy a melting pot and a mould but even if they and a Lee sizing die cost you $250 you have pretty much recouped that entire cost with what you have saved after casting 3000 45s or 2000 9mm. After that the cost per bullet just continues to drop. It does take time and there is a learning curve but the good thing is that you can remelt your mistakes.

I've accumulated loads of range brass over the years and luckily have hundreds of pounds of wheel weights that I accumulated for free years ago so my cost for lead bullet reloads is roughly:
case = free
bullet = free
powder = 3.5 gr per load (2000 loads per pound of powder @$30/pound) = 1.5 cents each
primer = 4.2 cents each (Dominion small pistol)

So....1.5 cents (powder) + 4.2 cents (primer) = 5.7 cents per round X 50 rounds = $2.85 per box. Even if I paid 1 cent per case and 2 cents per bullet it would still only be 1.5 + 4.2 + 1 + 2 = 8.7 cents per round X 50 rounds = $4.35 per box. That's at least $10 per box less than the cheapest reloadable commercial 9mm.

If you have the time and inclination to learn how to cast you can seriously decrease your cost per box OR do a lot more shooting for the same cost over commercial ammo.

 

[slug]

tbrwlf made the posting on my computer last night, but he's the point man on this event.
The Crean Hill club is about 40 minutes west of Sudbury and can be awkward to find.
If some southerners would like to hitch a ride, we could met up in the south end of Sudbury and go in my car.
I could handle about three pilgrims.
Bring a notebook. I guarantee that you will learn something new.
I've been casting for 52 years, so I'm still learning.

 

[hatman1793]

Thanks to the Crean Hill club for this valuable demonstration!
Making your own bullets is not only a great "prepper" action, you can save a ton of money NOT buying bullets.

Would love to see clubs in my area, Niagara, put on a similar demonstration. This is a hint Ted Dent!

 

[yomomma]

We tried...SOHMCO. Southern Ontario Heavy Metal Co-op put on a few and then fizzled out. It was supposed to be a central organization to share knowledge and resources.

 

[tbrwlf]

We aren't expecting huge numbers but we do a reloading seminar for members and some have indicated they would like to learn how to cast.

We will also be demonstrating powder coating and lube sizing.

Just enough to get some converts.

 

[slug]

Anyone else coming?
Pl. let us know so we have a rough idea of the turnout.

 

[tbrwlf]

Lots of Lead. Lots of food.

Several new casters created.

All in all a great day.

You guys missed a perfect casting day.


Thanks to the guys who showed up. It made for a fun time with good people.

 

[Saafire]

Here are a few photos from todays seminar.

Here is one of our experts with an assortment of COWW, lead, pewter and more on display to help new people learn what to look for. There is also a little powder coating demonstration in the back.

Here is some casting and ingot making going on.

Hey isn't that Grandma's tea pot?

And finally some casting in progress, not the safety gear.

 

[slug]

It was a small, but solid success.
Two noobies and two virgins.
The virgins (no longer) got to take home the remaining 80+ pounds of range recovery lead that tbrwlf mined and smelled earlier in the morning.

If we get some interest, we may hold another one in a year or two.

 

[ruffbird]

It was a great day with a good bunch of like minded folks! I always learn something new about this hobbie/addiction. Of course it is fun to do & each time you cast, confidence & satisfaction is built up.
There is much knowledge to read in books but with the many years of experience & guidance of the
guys that were present this day is to be taken advantage of!
I was able to cast a few hundred .314/90 gr. swc & .430/240 gr. swc bullets with Lee 2 cavity microgroove moulds.

I would like to thank the Crean Hill Gun Club, all who participated & "tbrwlf" for the opportunity to further our shooting sport, the BBQ lunch & the lead ingots Thanks also Saafire for the great pictures, & Slug for introducing us to powdercoating.

I look forward to next time, thanks again for a great time & all the fun!

 

[Saafire]

Her are a few pics from Ruffbird. A bit late, but hey good memories only get better!