Posted: 6/25/2010 3:58:54 PM EDT
|
I'm gonna start casting my own 9mm and 45 this summer and was wanting to get some opinions. This is the kit I'm looking at: lyman bullet casting kit
What would I need to go along with this kit? Does anyone have exp with the Lyman setup? Any other advice? Please halp! 
|
|
Quoted:
I'm gonna start casting my own 9mm and 45 this summer and was wanting to get some opinions. This is the kit I'm looking at: lyman bullet casting kit What would I need to go along with this kit? Does anyone have exp with the Lyman setup? Any other advice? Please halp! Not sure of Lyman's quality these days, I have heard they are not as good as they once were like 20 years ago when I bought most of my reloading equipment. Their casting equipment may still be real good but I don't know. Old_Painless would be a good person to ask, I know he casts bullets. There are a few other guys who do as well here. |
| I would not. First thing you should do it buy the Lyman book and read it cover to cover. then start buying. I like the lee Production pot IV. The sizer is good but i like to use hard lube(blue angel) and heater. You will need the ingot mould for sure. The lyman book is also great. Don't forget your moulds and a casting thermometer would be a good idea for the newbie. Check out the reloading forum. Several casters there. Also lots of info on the web. |
|
That kit would be a good starting place. I predict you'll upgrade the smelter to something with a bottom pour spout eventually, they're pretty much the best thing since shaved vaginas. You'll need bullet molds, lube, safety gear and a shitload of wheel weights. A thermometer is probably also a good idea. Hell, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.... Good luck dude, and don't feel too bad if your first several batches are crap, the lead melts right back down. |
|
That kit is a good starting point. You will need to add to it a mould, mould handles, a bullet sizing (H&I) die (usually .001" larger than groove diameter) and a nose punch. Lyman makes all those things. You will also, as already mentioned, need the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. I recommend going with 50/50 beeswax/alox blend lube, aka NRA blend, to start with. Works well, doesn't require a lubrisizer heater, and also works well for fluxing the pot and lubing the mould. Actually, you can get by with just a mould (Lee sells some with handles for around $20), ladle, a tin can for a pot, and a hot plate to melt the lead. Make your own lube using a wax toilet ring from Walmart and any of various other ingredients (Google) and pan-lube the bullets or smear the lube on by hand, and load them without sizing. That is exactly what I did when I first started casting 30 years ago. |