Thinking of delving into the world of cast bullets

ChromeArty

ChromeArty

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... But I know nothing! And every time I look into it, it seems so overwhelming!

I have hand loaded rifle and pistol ammo in the past, with good success... But am now thinking of getting all set up to become a 9mm making machine!

I just sold all the old rifle brass and such that I haven't looked at in years to get some money together for buying the 9mm dies, melting pot, moulds, lubes... But I have no idea where to start!

Can one of you lead savvy folks help me source what I need, and hold my hand a little bit?

Cheers,

Trev
 
First order of business is the easiest to learn but the hardest part of it, to find a tire shop who will sell you lead. So get on the phone and call every tire shop and collect a S*** ton of lead. I like to pay around $30 per 5 gallon pail but someone will ask $60 or more depends on how desperate you are. Once you can find lead then your good to go.
 
Shop here, just because it is cheaper. ht tps://fsreloading.com/reloading-equipment/bullet-casting/ remove space
I have 33 bullet molds.
 
One other comment. Casting is one reloading operation where you can put all your bullets that don't pass inspection back into the pot and turn them into something perfect the next time around. Simple as that!
 
Thank you so much lads!!

Casting seems to definitly be an art unto itself, and I look for to learning the process!

At my outdoor range (small town, usually no one else there) I collected at least 2 pounds in about 5 minutes of scrounging down range. But I will get in touch with the local tire shops once I get the gear I need!

Thanks again!
 
ChromeArty said:
What do you think...? Is this melter pot ,from budget shooter supply, good to get started? Or should I spring for something with bottom pour capabilities? I don't have a lot of money... Does anyone?

The price sure is right! http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=1415&CategoryID=176
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Save up for the bottom pour you will not regret it! If your looking to start on the cheap just use a cast iron or stainless pot and ladle on any available heat source...One thing I've learned with casting is if your doing any kind of volume bottom pour is a must!
 
I just recently started casting and have already progressed to a bottom-pour pot. I started with an old stainless steel saucepan, a single-burner propane stove from Princess Auto and a ladle from the Dollar Store. This worked fine and I still use it for smelting lead scrap. What I found with the bottom pour pot is that yes, it is a bit faster, but more significantly you don't have to be constantly avoiding dross and flux on the surface of the molten lead. In fact I like to leave a complete covering of flux (I just use sawdust) undisturbed on top while I'm casting.
 
Cranberry said:
I just recently started casting and have already progressed to a bottom-pour pot. I started with an old stainless steel saucepan, a single-burner propane stove from Princess Auto and a ladle from the Dollar Store. This worked fine and I still use it for smelting lead scrap. What I found with the bottom pour pot is that yes, it is a bit faster, but more significantly you don't have to be constantly avoiding dross and flux on the surface of the molten lead. In fact I like to leave a complete covering of flux (I just use sawdust) undisturbed on top while I'm casting.
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Thanks for the post!

What is the benefit of a coat of sawdust on top of the molten lead?
 
ChromeArty said:
What is the benefit of a coat of sawdust on top of the molten lead?
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I read somewhere that the flux acts as a reducing agent (chemistry 101 talk) to stop the tin oxidizing out of the alloy. Note that when I say a coat of sawdust I mean that I throw some on and then leave it undisturbed until I need to add more lead to the pot. Don't want you to think that I'm constantly shoveling sawdust in there.
 
First thing, 9mm is a fairly tough round to start with. It's a high pressure round that uses relatively fast powder and it has a fast twist rate. What can work great in 38 special or even 357 mag generally doesn't suffice in 9mm. Start with reading as much as possible and no, you certainly don't need a bottom pour pot. Ladle casting, while slightly more difficult to learn with, generally can produce better bullets. Some molds simply do not like bottom pouring. Just don't try pouring with the $6 Lee ladle...it's just a spoon. Get a Lyman or RCBS ladle. Read this:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?121607-Setting-up-for-boolits-in-a-new-9mm

Cranberry said:
I read somewhere that the flux acts as a reducing agent (chemistry 101 talk) to stop the tin oxidizing out of the alloy. Note that when I say a coat of sawdust I mean that I throw some on and then leave it undisturbed until I need to add more lead to the pot. Don't want you to think that I'm constantly shoveling sawdust in there.
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The sawdust should be mixed through the pot and scraped around. Then skim it off. It does flux and clean the alloy. Wax can be used to reduce the oxides back into the mixture after fluxing with sawdust and if you want to prevent oxidization again, a layer of cat litter on top of the alloy after reducing will keep the oxygen from the lead and greatly slow the oxidizing process down. Obviously this only works with a bottom pour pot.
 
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Old Ranger said:
Go out and buy Lyman Cast Bullet Manual # 4 and read.
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That.Cast Boolits site can be overwhelming.Lots of useful info,tons of experience and about 25K people with various level of understanding what they are doing.

What works for some doesn't necessarily work for others.

Way back I wish I met someone who could show me "how to".Reading about it and seeing it live can be 2 different things.
 
Cranberry said:
I read somewhere that the flux acts as a reducing agent (chemistry 101 talk) to stop the tin oxidizing out of the alloy. Note that when I say a coat of sawdust I mean that I throw some on and then leave it undisturbed until I need to add more lead to the pot. Don't want you to think that I'm constantly shoveling sawdust in there.
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Lots of people put cat litter on their mix to slow down the oxidation process ;)
Wax and sawdust are used to reverse the oxidation that took place. Sawdust is one step above wax as it also removes impurities. If you have clean lead in the pot you usually only need a small pinch of wax e very now and again.
 
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