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Posted: 1/20/2009 4:23:22 PM EDT
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I just picked up about 200 pounds of lead weights and have access to a lot more, so I was thinking about getting into making my own lead bullets. Unfortunately, I have no idea what goes into this.
Is it considerably cheaper doing it this way (not taking my time into consideration)? How good are these compared to ones that are available to be purchased? What does it take to get started? If I did my math right, 200 lbs of lead equals 1.4 million grains. If I was making 125gr rn's, that would be 11,200 that I could make. Am I over-simplifying this? Anything else I should consider? Thanks. |
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If you are gonna shoot them at moderate pressure/velocities you will need to mix some other metal into them for a harder less lead fouling round. I think some mix tin and other metals into it. I'm not a bullet caster so I don't know all the answers. Try the link/website below.
http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/ |
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You talking pure lead, or some kind of alloy like wheel weights?
If the former, you will need to alloy it with some harder metal before you can use it. If it's wheel weights, it's perfect as-is. You can get everything you need to get started for <$100 worth of LEE equipment. First thousand bullets will just about pay for your equipment. If you want to do small-time like me, and just need it for some odd bore size, you can get by with a minimum of items - see my thread here for what I have - http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=42&t=262626 |
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Hey fenderfreak - Thanks for the link. I tried the castboolits forum, but was a little overwhelmed for a beginner.
They are wheel weights and I plan on picking up some more. I have 2 reasons for getting into this. I really want to be set up just in case I can't get any more (for whatever reason). I have also been shooting a lot of 9's and would like to decrease my cost some. So, was my calculation correct on the number of bullets that would create? Also, after the initial investment, and assuming I get the wheel weights for free, what other costs will I have and will it be minimal? Thanks. |
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Straigh wheel weights are good for just about anything. You may need to add some tin for higher velocities, but I personally have found straight wheel weights to be sufficient.
Keep in mind you will need to smelt down the WW's into usable, clean alloy before casting bullets. This will affect your calculations by as much as 40% depending on your trash to usable materials ratio. |
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I have actually put together an order from Mid South SS. 3 items are backordered until Feb. I have until then to decide if I still want to do this.
I am torn, because it would only be for pistol, and the costs involved are making it hard to justify on a simply $ basis. Of course, we all know there are OTHER reasons. I cannot decide what to do. Casting Equip. List Turkey Cooker – already own Dutch oven (pot) - $20 (I intend to cast from a pot w/ a ladle) Iron skillet to do initial ingot melting/skimming - $20 RCBS Thermometer – $41 Lyman Dipper – $14 Lee molds 2 rounds - $18 / mold Steel Muffin pan – 2 x $5 Lyman manyul - $13 Lube – Dillion Case lube Sizing machine & diesLyman 4500 lube sizer $125 + diesOR Lee Push Thru sizer $40 Sizing lube, Dillion Case lube Flux w/ bacon grease As you can see, it is more than $100 to do it right. Bullets are only 6 pennies each for 9, and 40, more for 45. |
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Quoted:
I have actually put together an order from Mid South SS. 3 items are backordered until Feb. I have until then to decide if I still want to do this. I am torn, because it would only be for pistol, and the costs involved are making it hard to justify on a simply $ basis. Of course, we all know there are OTHER reasons. I cannot decide what to do. Casting Equip. List Turkey Cooker – already own Dutch oven (pot) - $20 (I intend to cast from a pot w/ a ladle) Iron skillet to do initial ingot melting/skimming - $20 RCBS Thermometer – $41 Lyman Dipper – $14 Lee molds 2 rounds - $18 / mold Steel Muffin pan – 2 x $5 Lyman manyul - $13 Lube – Dillion Case lube Sizing machine & diesLyman 4500 lube sizer $125 + diesOR Lee Push Thru sizer $40 Sizing lube, Dillion Case lube Flux w/ bacon grease As you can see, it is more than $100 to do it right. Bullets are only 6 pennies each for 9, and 40, more for 45. Dillon Lube wont cut it for sizing and lubing bullets. What type of Lee molds did you get? The tumble lube? If so, get the liquid alox. and the Lee push through sizer. If not, you will need the Lyman 4500 and a stick lube of some type. The hot plate is not necessary. It might be nice, but if you are on a budget you can skip it and not miss it if you rest your mold on the edge of the pot while it melts down the lead. Dont forget something to skim the flux, Lee ladle is ok for this - just about all it is good for in my opinion. You are also forgetting that once the initial startup costs are covered you can make bullets cheaper than you can buy. If you dont have spare time or want to deal witha potentially messy labor, dont cast bullets. |
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Here is a link to a casting thread I posted a while ago.
I got a lot of good replies. Hope this helps. |
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