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    Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting

    Tennessee Jed
    Tennessee Jed
    .41 Magnum
    .41 Magnum


    Posts : 760
    Join date : 2014-02-27
    Location : Music City USA

    Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting Empty Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting

    Post by Tennessee Jed Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:45 pm

    Think I will finally make the plunge and join the ranks of those who cast their own bullets. I'm guessing that the costs will be a little more or close to equal with buying cast bullets online. However, I see the primary advantages of casting being: (1) I can tailor the bullets more closely to the particular gun and caliber (especially making them softer than those I can buy online), (2) I won't be as subject to bullet droughts as I have been in the past, and (3) I know I will greatly enjoy it.

    I've read Lyman's manual on casting from cover to cover, and think I have a reasonable grasp on the concepts. My question to those of you who have experience with this is, is there a particular caliber that's easier to start with than others?

    Calibers I'm interesting in casting include 45 Colt, 45 acp, 44 magnum/special, 38 special/357 magnum, and eventually 30-30 Winchester. I think I should start with just one caliber, get the fundamentals down, then move on to another. The calibers I shoot the most tend to be 44 and 38/357.
    Cornmastah
    Cornmastah
    .44 Magnum
    .44 Magnum


    Posts : 1049
    Join date : 2014-04-07
    Location : Utah

    Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting Empty Re: Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting

    Post by Cornmastah Thu Oct 08, 2015 2:08 pm

    Excited for you--Let me know when you have questions about stuff.  I may have a few tips with stuff I have learned.  That Lyman cast bullet book is a great reference, as well as the castboolit forums.  Before you jump into the purchase of a lubrisizer and what not, I would recommend trying to powdercoat your bullets first--and then using a push through lee sizing die.  If you have questions on melting pots and ladle pouring vs bottom pouring, let me know also.
    Cornmastah
    Cornmastah
    .44 Magnum
    .44 Magnum


    Posts : 1049
    Join date : 2014-04-07
    Location : Utah

    Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting Empty Re: Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting

    Post by Cornmastah Tue Feb 23, 2016 9:46 pm

    TJ, done anything with this yet?
    Tennessee Jed
    Tennessee Jed
    .41 Magnum
    .41 Magnum


    Posts : 760
    Join date : 2014-02-27
    Location : Music City USA

    Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting Empty Re: Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting

    Post by Tennessee Jed Wed Feb 24, 2016 12:41 pm

    Not yet. I was going to get into it over Christmas, but at the last second decided to invest my available funds in accessories and training with my still-new-to-me 1911 (holster, mags and carriers, tons of bullets and components, training class, etc.). I should be done with that around March.

    However, the way things are looking with the upcoming election, I'm considering using the funds I would use on bullet casting and getting into an AR while I still can. No matter how you cut it, I think as the election gets closer the prices on AR's and accessories will rise, and I think if I don't get into it now, I will regret it later.

    Been looking at various makes and models, as well as building from the ground up. Since this would be my first AR, I'm taking a serious look at just getting a good-enough entry model with enough cash left over for optics, mags, ammo, dies and components. Right now, I'm leaning towards a Ruger AR 556, but close contenders are the S&W Sport II and Aero Precision AC 15. If I decide that I don't like the AR platform, I think I could sell a pre-built rifle more easily than something I built myself.
    Cornmastah
    Cornmastah
    .44 Magnum
    .44 Magnum


    Posts : 1049
    Join date : 2014-04-07
    Location : Utah

    Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting Empty Re: Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting

    Post by Cornmastah Wed Feb 24, 2016 4:38 pm

    I would get the AR before the casting stuff--seems like a smart choice.  In case you are looking to build your own, I would take a look at palmettostatearmory.com as well as radicalfirearms.com.  The downside to radicalfirearms.com is the wait time between ordering and shipping.  They build to order so you save a bunch of money, but you have to wait.  Whatever route you go, I would try to get a free floated barrel.  The plastic handguards are just "meh" and will decrease your accuracy.

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    Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting Empty Re: Getting Ready to Get Started in Bullet Casting

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