Author Topic: What all do I need? (Read 1510 times)

Old Cane · « **on:** January 24, 2003, 07:45:38 AM »

Ok, a melting pot; which one? Is it a big deal to have the bottom spout or should I dip? Start with a 6 cavity mold? Need a book? Sizer? I would like to cast 45 Colt, 250gr. for BP. Going to try for a PRS from Lee. Can you use homemade lube in a sizer/luber?

So I think:

Pot
Mold
Handle
Sizer
Lead
Lube

Is there more?

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2003, 08:10:50 AM »

Old Cane,

All you really need to cast bullets is a heat source, a mold, a pan, and a ladle. :lol:

However, if you are going to be making bullets in a 6 cavity mold you'll be way ahead to buy a bottom pour lead pot with the largest gap between the spout and the base you can find. Lee makes an excellent bottom pour with a tall base that would be ideal for the job! The PRS is only available as a six cavity, to my knowledge.

If you get one, let me know if they have any more in stock!!!!! Last I knew they were all sold out, perhaps they've made another run of them!

Old Cane · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2003, 08:12:11 AM »

I think he said they were trying to get 25 more orders together for another run. That may be for the 38, though.

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2003, 09:09:47 AM »

Re: homemade lube
They work fine in a luber/sizer. If it is very hard you might need to heat the sizer using a heater or some just put the wire front of a trouble light touching the sizer for about 30 minutes to heat the lube for it to flow.
(Of course the trouble light is on :grin: )

Greybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2003, 11:47:39 AM »

I had a Lee pot once. I don't anymore. Mine like most I've heard of dripped incessantly. I don't recommend them. What I use now is the RCBS pot which I think is about 20-22 pounds and is a bottom pour. I think for a new caster a bottom pour is easier and I still prefer them even tho I've been casting for almost 30 years now.

I'd recommend the Lyman pot same same as my RCBS. It is the one I'll have next. I really like the mound holder on it far better than the bent rod RCBS uses. When you start using the larger gang moulds it is pretty important I think to have a good holder for your moulds.

Unless you are buying your alloy as ingots the size that will fit your pot you really will need an ingot mould. I use it under the spout to catch all the run off from the mould also. So I'd still recommend you get one even if you buy your allow ready to use.

You'll need your mould and handle for it and you'll also need a sprue plate knocker. This can be a hammer handle or any other suitable piece of wood. I use the one made by RCBS specifically for the job. I've heard some folks say they use thick leather gloves and move the sprue plate by hand but I've never tried it that way.

Your supplies will include the alloy, flux and lube for the completed bullets.

You will have to have some way to apply the lube and for this nothing beats the RCBS lube sizer unless you want to go really expensive. I do not like the Lyman 450. Had one and gave it away as it constantly broke and they didn't repair it for free as RCBS will.

Many folks use home made lubes in their sizers. So yeah ya can do that.

GB

Old Cane · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2003, 05:25:57 PM »

Quote

(Of course the trouble light is on )

You must work with the same people I do.

Geat guys. I didn't think about catching anything dripping out of the mold. Of course, I'm such a neat person I'd never drip but I see how this would help the rest......wait........gotta get a towell and wipe the mustard off of my sh......

I'm back. Is there a book or web site with pictures you can recommend for this? Since I've never even seen this done a video would be great but nice pictures would help if no videos are available.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2003, 03:02:10 AM »

It's been a long time since I've checked into such things but I know that Lymans old BP manual had a good section on bullet casting, with plenty of Pictures.

Also, any LEE mold or furnace will come with a pretty good illustrated primer on "care and feeding" packaged right in with it.

Graybeard, What's the "tarrif" on that RCBS furnace? I usually can't afford the top of the line stuff but sumday......!

Greybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2003, 03:56:56 AM »

In my opinion the Lyman Reloading manual and/or their Cast Bullet Manual are MUST HAVEs for anyone who plans to begin casting. RCBS makes or at least made one. I've never seen it but would buy it if I ever do.

The RCBS furnace is gonna run you a bit less than $250. How much less depends on where you buy it.

The Lyman furnace will be around $190 I think

GB

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2003, 12:18:14 PM »

The Lyman "Cast Bullet Handbook" is intresting reading. Another that I don't have but want is Paul Matthews' "Cast Bullets for the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle" I do have a couple of his other books, and hold them in high regard.
Since my casting isn't going to be "high volume", are the smaller furnaces adequate, or should I save some more pennies and get a larger one to start with?

Old Cane · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2003, 05:22:29 AM »

Good question. How big is big? I was loking at 20 lbs. Is that normal or small?

Greybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2003, 06:15:08 AM »

A 20 to 22 pound pot is big for a furnace. It is also the only size to get in my opinion.

GB

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2003, 06:41:14 AM »

The Lee pot is about $65 at Midayusa.com The RCBS at $250 is more than I can handle right now, or back when I got mine. Lee does fine for me and I figure I've run about 3 five-gallon buckets of WW plus over 100# of ingots that I inherited from my Dad through it. If you've never picked up (or tried to pick up) a five-gallon bucket filled with WW just remember to wear a back brace.

Could be that if I tried the RCBS I would realize what I'm missing :eek:

Old Cane · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2003, 07:08:06 AM »

Thanks guys. I guess my first step is to get some money together. Next to find some wheel weight suppliers. If I can't do that I guess I'll just be stuck with all that money cause if I do this to save money I know I'm not going to spend money to buy lead. Never been stuck with money before. I may like the sensation.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2003, 10:54:33 AM »

Old Cane

Quote

I guess I'll just be stuck with all that money cause if I do this to save money I know I'm not going to spend money to buy lead. Never been stuck with money before. I may like the sensation.

Ol' Hoss, I wish I could tell you how wonderful a feeling it is...but I have no idea! :-D

Old Cane · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2003, 02:53:17 AM »

In my case, a fool and his money use direct deposit. I never even see what I don't get to keep.

Brasskisser · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2003, 05:22:37 AM »

Old Kane, The best way to get started and shorten your learning curve is to find a mentor or coach at one of the local gun clubs. Most casters will be glad to help you. I have started dozens of new people down the path of casting bullets. Anyway, here is all you really need and want. A fish fryer with a propane bottle, a cast iron pot to hold 20# and another cast Iron pot that will hold at least 50#. This second pot is for smelting wheel weights into clean, 1 pound ingots for latter bullet casting sessions. You need a ladle and bullet molds w/handles, and a pair of welders glooves. Thats it. I have used every expensive pot and accessory there was in the last 30 years and believe me the above stuff is all I use. If you lived near Iowa City. IA. I could have you casting great bullets in no time. Any black powder lube can be melted and poored directly into any lubersizer. There are plenty of home made receipts that work just fine. The felix lube works as good as any. Make your own bullets, make your own lube, Use BP, Make Smoke!!!!