Author Topic: keeping costs down--cast your bullets (Read 957 times)

Cheyenne Ranger · « **on:** December 21, 2002, 03:35:18 AM »

Some mention has been made about costs of 38's vs 45LC. But if you cast your bullets the prices approach equaliberium. Primers are the same cost and powder charges are close. Remember there are 7000 grains in a pound and it take a bit of time to use that much up. If you buy by the 4 lbs it takes much longer.
I have a fellow shooter that is a wrench at a local car dealership. They throw wheelweights away so all he does is sweep them up, put them in a 5-gallon bucket and brings them to the range. From there I cast my 45LC.
There is a bit of a start up cost with the melting pot and all but I enjoy the casting part as much as the shooting and I don't have misses when I cast :grin:
Check out the casting forum for more details: http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=45

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2002, 05:34:43 AM »

I don't cast yet, but it's near on the event horizon (Ya readin' this Santa?) probably near the first of the year. I've done a lot of reading already, and understand the principles and realize that it's as much an art form as much as a science. I'm looking forward to having questions to pose to the experienced.

Butler Ford

Mason Stillwell · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2002, 12:22:13 PM »

I have been casting for years. Use wheel weights mostly for this cowboy action thing.
It is a great way to keep cost down.
The Lyman Cast book is worth its weight in gold. Also I cannot say enough about ventilation . Have plenty of it. Also Keep all Water away from casting area. You can have an Explosion and have lead all over you and the whole area.

Later.

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2002, 12:57:04 PM »

To echo what Mason said, cast outside or somewhere where the fumes won't get you. Also read in another post that he caster was outside doing his thing and it starting snowing--now as I remember snow is hard water and when the snow hit the pot--well you get the idea. H20 and Pb are not friends.
Walt

Dirt Pyle · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2002, 03:14:32 PM »

At our local club we order bullets in bulk. No shipping charges, and pay about $20.00 per 500 or less. Time is money for me at this point so I don't cast my own. Just my two cents.

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2002, 04:10:50 PM »

Hi Dirt Pyle,
Understand your situation fully. A guy has to balance time against $$. As I am a poor underpaid school teacher I am willing to spend time rather than the funds for the bullets. For those with the funds and minimual time then buying is the way to go. Everyone should do what is best for him/her