WW smelted, now want

[358jdj]

Thanks to help I received in response to my previous post, I got the batch of wheel weights smelted and into 2.2 pound ingots.  I don't really have the time and money to buy molds, sizer and luber at this point.  Looking through my catalogs last night I saw a Lee Tumble Lube casting mold.  It throws a 240 grain .430 SWC bullet.  According to the propaganda, this bullet does not need to be sized and can be tumble lubed in Alox.

I want to shoot the bullets I eventually make in a Ruger 4 5/8 blackhawk and a 1894 Marlin, both in 44 Mag.  My question is, would the tumble lube bullet get me buy for awhile or should I hold out until I can swing the whole setup?  I am not a big velocity fan.  My current load of IMR4227 gives me about 1150 fps in the pistol and 1500 in the Marlin with a 255 grain SWC GC.

Should I go on the cheap or wait for more $$$$?

Thanks.

[ND Sharpshooter]

358jdj,

The Lee system works at the lower velocity levels.  It's messy, gums up the seater die, smells a bit, and smokes quite a bit.  I don't use it any more.  If I'd known then what I know now, I wouldn't have gone the tumble lube route at all.  That said, if you're planning to shoot thousands and thousands at cowboy action velocities, it saves a lot of time at the bench lubri-sizing. 

[Lloyd Smale]

i dont care much for the bullet designs or the lube either but it will get you shooting your gun for alot less money then your paying now for bullets.

[Cheesehead]

358

I am also starting to cast my own and using the tumble lube system. It works for my 44's. I have also bought a tumble lube mold for my 45 acp for making bullets for action pistol competition. My shootin buddy gave me 300 pounds of ww lead so I am set. I plan on upgrading some day.

Cheese

[dubber123]

Cheesehead, if you're shooting action pistol, that 300 lbs, is gonna go quick!  I've burned up about 15,000 rounds in the last 2 years playing that game.  If it weren't for casting, I couldn't afford to do it.

[Cheesehead]

I guess I am set to get a good start. Its all fun for me.

Cheese

[ron haralson]

While I can't speak to the .44 mold, I have the .30 cal TL bullet mold which works fine. You should know that if you aren't happy with Lee Liquid Alox, you can hand lube with most any decent machine or automotive grease(I use Canadian Tire Moly Grease) and get very decent results. Just seat the bullets onto the first driving band, finger fill the grooves with grease, seat the bullet to the finished depth and wipe the finished cartridge clean. Faster and easier than it sounds -  and cheap if cost is an issue. Best of luck.