How many bullet casters out there?

[GSaltzman]

I just got to wondering as I was looking through all of my bullet moulds how many TDR members cast there own slugs?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I don't because you can buy cast bullets so cheaply these days in bulk - it's just not worth my time. However, I am setup to be able to do so should it ever become necessary .

 

[BRobertson]

I've cast my own for the last 30 years, and for me it is relaxing and enjoyable. I mix my own alloys and experiment with loads, including chronographing.

I've used heavyweight . 44 (320gr) in my revolvers since J. D. Jones designed his, and also use molds by Veral Smith(LBT).

Both designs work great on moose and bear, caribou, sheep, goat,ETC.

bOB

 

[Jff24Gordn]

Ive cast a few. Its hard for my friend to find balls for his . 84 home meade flint lock. We dont hafta cast all of them. A lifter from a chevy 350 fits just right too. That guns eats powder really fast. A good target load is 1 10gauge 3 1/2" shot shell full. Nuttin like a redneck shoulder bazzoka for the deer.

 

[A Johnson]

Count me in, not really a pro at it, but they work plenty good for me. Did stop at NEI as they are real close and he took the time to show me how his stuff worked and I was able to watch while he made a 290grnFP . 430 dia. for me.



A Johnson

 

[Deezul1]

I used to do a lot of casting and then started shooting Practical Pistol competition and using 1000 rounds a month for practice uses all my spare time and lead doesnt work well at 1450fps with compensators. I cast 9mm, . 357, . 44. and . 45. Kinda miss it too.

 

[DKayser]

Roll your own!!!!

It wasn`t the casting I hated, it was the size & lube bs. I now buy em ready to feed into the square deal. Thank you Mr. Dillon!!!!!Oo.

 

[CGriffith]

For anyone who reloads- Dillon precision is the best.

Their customer service is unbeatable-I get free replacement parts from them all the time and I've had my 650 for 4 years.



We cast our own lead for my dad's homemade cannon. It's ~ a 1" bore and shoots a 6 oz ball at 2000ftps with 1/3 lbs of FFF black powder. It seems kind of dangerous but we stand back and use lots of fuse.



Deezul1

What are you shooting in competition that needs 1450fps? I shoot my 1911 stock gun in matches when I have time and I only need ~825fps with a 200gr SWC. I know what you mean about lead at that speed. I tryed to run some 240 gr leads in my . 44 and most of it sticks in the barrel.



Has anyone ever boiled lead?

I know this sounds stupid but when I was younger I was heating lead in a blacksmith's forge with a blower on it. The lead was in a cast iron bowl and was molten and just exploded. It blew hot lead all over the place-clear to the ceiling. The bowl was intact and no one got burned but it was a crazy experience.

I was just wondering if anybody had herd of this.

 

[Deezul1]

CGriffith

I shoot Action Pistol competition that has a required power factor (velocity x bullet weight divide by 1000 for a minium of 165) to keep sand baggers from using light loads to reduce recoil. With a 124 grain 9mm bullet it require a little less than 1450fps but at that velocity the gases behind the bullet make the compensator work good to reduce muzzle rise for quick second shots. Exploding lead in a pot usually comes from moisture introduced somehow and as that boils and expands it blows the lead out. Its always a good idea to heat any casting tools that come in contact with the lead before introducing the lead to dry out any moisture.