Do you cast your own bullets?

[Onagoth]

Let me know, I have read some about it, does it save any money?

 

[kodiak1]

Cost well that all depends on what you shoot and how much.
The old pelters like the Spencers, Sharps, Rollers and Traps it is the only way to get proper fitting bullets.
Ken.

 

[brnolvr]

You will save a lot if you can get your lead or next to nothing.

I shoot a fair bit, cast for both rifle and handgun. I could not afford to shoot as much as I do if I had to buy store bought.

I go through 300 to 500 rounds centerfire rifle and 600 to 700 handgun rounds per month. Plus my rimfire shooting on top of that.

Biggest cost to me are primers, powder and gas checks.

 

[Don45]

I started casting because I was finding it hard to get the bullets that I wanted, and the price for the bullets and shipping kept going up and that was a couple of years ago. Depending on how much shooting you will be doing and where you buy your lead or find some for little or no cost will make a difference. Lee molds are good molds and the price isn't that bad either, sometimes you may need to purchase a more expensive mold to get what you want. I find that I enjoy casting as much as the reloading.
Hope this helps.

Don

 

[WKAYE]

I love casting my own, for both rifles and handguns. There's something that draws me to that silver stream.
As to saving money, you certainly can if you approach it from that angle. In my case, I'm not so sure as it's become a separate hobby.

 

[tigrr]

Well as a comparison a box of 50 factory 45acp is $18 - $32.
My 45acp reloads cost $2.92 a box of 50.
My reloaded 9mm is $2.02 a box of 50.
The 38 and 357 are in the same price range.
I reload 45-70 and 30-30. Haven't calculated them yet.
I have 12 different bullet molds.

I cast 5000+ 45acp bullet per year, 3000 - 38 & 357s, 2000 9mm, 300 45-70 and 300 30-30s. The bullet mold paid for in the first 1000 bullets. The 20 lb lead melting pot is paid for in the first 5000 bullets.
Just protect yourself from the smoke and dust coming off the lead pot and wash your hands when finished. I make bullets on a breezy day (5 km wind) outside under an umbella. Fill 6 cavity mold, turn and drop them into a 3/4 full pail of water on the ground beside me.
Yes its a hobby and yes I enjoy saving money!

 

[timberhunter]

I have dies and moulds for over 50 different bullets and calibers. Its started out as hobby and is now a side business for me.
Casting is a must if you want to shoot lots in my opinion.

Do be aware as stated above that it can be very harmful to your health, if you don't have adequet ventilation. And washing your hands is a must. Because I handle such high volumes of lead, I use plastic medical gloves.

There's a lot to learn in casting your own bullets. Give it a try, just be careful.

 

[unstableryan]

I'm starting this summer. I have a lot of pure lead (not wheel weights) and the rifle and I'm loading cast bullets now... So it's coming.

 

[blacksmithden]

It saves a ton of money.......plus you have bragging rights over the guys who don't

 

[Silverback]

I mainly cast the odd sized bullets that are not readily available commercially, usually the heavier for caliber weights.

 

[yodave]

I am casting bullets for both rifle and handgun but the icing on the cake has got to be my littleton shot maker and the chirping bird effect of that hot lead pouring into my brake fluid filled cooling chamber

 

[BigUglyMan]

To get the most out of a BPCR rifle you need to cast your own. Alloy, weight and profile make buying bullets nearly impossible. I also cast for my smokeless 45-70s as well.

 

[asusual]

Let me know, I have read some about it, does it save any money?

I cast for the same reson I load my own. To get them tailored to what I need. There is differences in how cast and copper kill,fly,and behave in brush. However that being said,I'll never cast for anything smaller than 38/55 again. But that is a whole different topic.

 

[tootall]

I have done so for my muzzleloader rifle,and for a cap and ball revolver.
I have not yet done so for centrefire rifles, but intend to (I clicked Will eventually or planning on doing so)
The website Cast Boolits gives a HUGE amount of info. I'm just starting to learn about it all.
Muzzleloader black powder does not need gas checks, but I will have to use GC for CF.

 

[Onagoth]

Cool, well I just started into reloading a couple months ago and I enjoy it. I think using the factory components is fine for now, but eventually, I can see doing it, especially with my handgun.

Thanks

 

[Andy]

I cast because I enjoy it and because I own a pile of milsurps that shoot obsolete rounds. I cast better bullets than I can buy.

The "it saves" money is a fallacy. When you look at setup and operating costs compared to what it costs to buy commercial cast bullets, you have to shoot a LOT, and place no value on your time, to break even.

 

[Boomer]

I prefer to buy cast bullets from Ben. For me it comes down to the amount of time I am willing to invest and the fact that sources of acceptable bullet metal up here are some what limited.

 

[duster]

for my pistols and two rifles 45colt +30-30win

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I used to. When I first got into doing any amount of handgun shooting, in particular, some competitive shooting, casting for me at that time was almost a financial must. Especially with the volume I was going through.
With the reduced amount of shooting I now do, and starting with when I got my 500 S&W, I get all my cast bullets, rifle & pistol, from a local guy that's into that game pretty hot & heavy. Variety, prices, quality and availability are great so it's not worth my while. Besides, casting was never my 'favorite' aspect of reloading.

 

[dizzy dan 1]

I get most of mine from another GN @ N/C.
I just collect the lead that I find. DAN>>>
I am going to try them on deer some time.