[philly]

A long time ago, about 20 years, I cast my own pistol bullets in 3 calibers. I still had the pot and a lot of lead in the basement so, decided to order a mold and dipper and went on line to see what Lee had. I got a .45 cal two cavity mold with handles and a dipper for around $35 shipped Fed Ex to my door. Hunted up some beeswax to lube the mold and flux the lead and after a quick skim to clean out the slag I was ready to pour. I pre heated a corner of the mold in the lead and cast my first two balls. The mold, suprisingly, was at temp quickly and I started to get perfect round balls after 4 fills. Seems the aluminum heats up faster than the old steel mold blocks. So, I am off and running with my own home made heavy balls for hunting.

One suprize was that the .45 cal I cast weighed 110 grains and muzzle loader balls in .44 cal weighed 117 grains???

Then I remembered, the old lead that was in the pot was a hard mix for pistol bullets to prevent leading the bore and was a mix of lead, tin and antimony, (I forget the precentages) and the Muzzle loader balls were pure lead, so actualy heavier, though slightly smaller in diameter.

I forgot how relaxing it was and how much fun and satisifaction I had years ago making my own. Give it a try, you won't regret it.
Philly

 

[ERdept]

Ya, I love casting.

One thing that makes it a lot easier and faster is to get the melter with the spout. You just lift up the lever and the plunger to the spout opens and put the mold under.

No more messy ladling.

 

[philly]

Yeah Er I know, I had one years ago. I sold all the casting equipment and pistol molds back then and I kept my first small 5# pot for what ever reason I don't recall. I won't be using the .45 balls like I did pistol bullets (hundreds at a time) so If I make 50 at a time it will be fine. Between shooting into the catch box and some hunting the production speed isn't so important to me. I have enough lead to last me for a long time at the rate I will use them. Also it will allow me to sit down more often to have fun.
Philly

 

[Northerner]

Yep, casting cast be fun, satisfying and stress relief.

Here are my casting gadgets.

http://slingshotforu...3-more-casting/

Cheers,
northerner

 

[philly]

Cast 150 .45 cal balls yesterday, and just as I thought, when I finally got to a pure lead alloy, my ball weight jumped from 110 grains each to 140 grains. The old alloy in the pot was a hard alloy for pistol bullets and produced a much lighter ball. Set up outdoors, (57 deg yesterday) and had a relaxing hour or so making ammo. Give it a try, modest investment and quality hunting ammo are the rewards.
Philly