What is the deciding factor for casting a new bullet.

[hornady]

I just read the post on casting for the Mini 14. I own two Rifles in 223, a Savage and I bought a new Mini 14 last month. I cast bullets for several handguns and a couple Rifles, not to get into the whole Lee debate. I like steel molds and use a Lyman Lube/Sizer. Weighing the cost, I buy the Bulk 223 bullets from Mid-south $40.00 for 500 bullets, Then the start up cost for casting a new bullet, Mold, sizer and top punch, as well as add time I now cast 6 pistol and three rifle bullets. It just doesn’t seem to me casting the little .224 bullet would be that cost effective. I cast because I enjoy it, but the cost and working with those tiny bullets seems like more trouble than they are worth.

[Reverend Recoil]

30 Cal is the smallest bore that I cast for.  I agree that 22 cal cast bullets are most likely more trouble and expense than the are worth.  I am able to get 22 cal Berger match bullets for $200/1000.  For the performance and cost, the Berger deal is hard to beat.

[hornady]

Old age and arthritic don’t help. The smallest I cast are 9MM with a Lyman 356402 - 120Gr, and those little buggers can be a Pain at times.

[mdi]

I just read the post on casting for the Mini 14. I own two Rifles in 223, a Savage and I bought a new Mini 14 last month. I cast bullets for several handguns and a couple Rifles, not to get into the whole Lee debate. I like steel molds and use a Lyman Lube/Sizer. Weighing the cost, I buy the Bulk 223 bullets from Mid-south $40.00 for 500 bullets, Then the start up cost for casting a new bullet, Mold, sizer and top punch, as well as add time I now cast 6 pistol and three rifle bullets. It just doesn’t seem to me casting the little .224 bullet would be that cost effective. I cast because I enjoy it, but the cost and working with those tiny bullets seems like more trouble than they are worth.

Money ain't everything. If money (cost) makes you do things you don't really wanna do, it'll lead to some definately un-fun boolit making. Since casting/reloading is my hobby, which is mostly done for the enjoyment, I don't figger "cost effectiveness" as a determining factor on which cartridges I'll reload. And I don't want my reloading to turn into something I have to do to do something else (have to cast itty-bitty boolits just so I can save $.50 to shoot my .223). I'm happy casting my easy to handle .44 cal. slugs but soon will be looking at a .22 cal. mold for my one and only .223 Rem. rifle, but if it becomes a chore, I won't do it...

[jhalcott]

 When I cast, it's for FUN! I rarely think of time cost since I'm retired. I have been known to buy a mold just to try it. I do have a .225 bullet mold ,but haven't used it in years. I have molds for .22,284 ,.30,.35, 41 ,.44 and .45 cal. Also a few Muzzle loader bullet molds in various calibers.

[ratdog]

i like my bullets to go fast and accurate don't cast 22 caliber bullets like the jacketed bullets.

[Czech_too]

When I cast, it's for FUN! I rarely think of time cost since I'm retired. I have been known to buy a mold just to try it.

I have to go along with the above.  I don't look at the cost aspect of casting whether it be time or dollars.  It's something that I enjoy doing.  I do cast for the .22's, presently have 4 moulds for that caliber, and I'm expecting delivery of 2 more.   

[Larry Gibson]

Given the twist of most Mini14 barrels stick with jacketed.
 
Larry Gibson

[twoshooter]

I have to say that expense definitely does enter into my calculations, but that is mainly because big bullets get expensive. I also cast for odd size or weight bullets. My 500 S&W reloads cost me less than factory 22 mags, so do my 444's and 45/70's. I use 185 gr 358 dia in my 357, and 311 dia 115gr in my 32/20, which I dont find all over, and I have a 330gh HP mold for my 45/70 which works very well. I buy jacketed for all the small stuff.

[anachronism]

A lot depends on your desired performance level. I have a friend who lives in the country and keeps a 22 Hornet Handi-Rifle by the back door for pests. Why the Hornet? He already owns it, it's cheap to shoot, and his cast loads are slightly more powerful than a 22 magnum, and the ammos much cheaper. I'm just jealous enough to buy a 223 Savage, just to play with. Cast 55 grainers ought to be a lot of fun, and promise to be cheaper than a rimfire to shoot. I'm one of those horrible people (hoarder) who buys a few extra thousand primers whenever I can, and I'm still shooting primers that I bought for $12.00/1K. I really don't have any interest in shooting cast in an AR15, but I know guys who do, it does have a wicked learning curve though.

[lee1954]

I don't blame anyone for not casting the little buggers  --  but if you do  this 70 gr.  works      http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=101570
  Also a 68gr.      group  buy  is coming up....

LBT makes a 66 gr. 
   Heaver bullets work better in a semi auto then a 55 gr --In my opinion  -- cycles with just a little less powder.
 
After the setup cast,,, there is some cheep shooting  - but not in the first 500...
 
I really believe casting keep me out of trouble - but I'm not saving that much $.. It's more that I enjoy casting , and don't need full power to shoot targets..
 
 
Almost any reason is good to buy a new mold ---  But a new gun is the best one!              Dan

[Ranch13]

I would look at if setting up to cast for the 223, would I shoot it enough more to justify the time and expense? I wouldn't run the cast in the mini14, but I would likely shoot some in the savage.
I go thru this same thing every once in awhile with my mini14 and the handirifle. Usually just end up buying another batch of bulk bullets on sale and calling it good enough.