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Posted: 1/30/2012 9:07:58 AM EDT
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I came across some lead and I am thinking of casting my own 310gr w/GC bullets for my 44mag SBHH. Any suggestions on what brand mold, number of cavities, lube, sizing dies, ect. The lead has been out in the weather for about 30 years, does it need to be cleaned first or will all the impurities float to the top during the melting process?
This is about half of what I have. 
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If Lee makes one for the bullet that you want to cast I recommend the 6 cavity molds, you can whip up a mess of bullets with one in no time. They are cheap and I've been using them to cast many thousands of boolitz with out difficulty. The impurities in the lead you have will float to the top as dross.
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been casting for some. here are some pointers
get or barrow a lead hardness scale (the hardness of the lead will tell u how fast u can push it) find cheap pot to melt in (thrift store) cheap big spoon (thrift store) flux. this is used to clean the impurities out of the lead (u can buy it or make it. just do it) work out doors and well protected DO NOT EVER GET WATER IN YOUR LEAD POT WHILE U R MELTING LEAD - youtube it. water hits and wants to expand rapidly causing 700 degree lead to go everywhere including on u casting molds are up to u. if u just have 20lbs u could get away with the 2 bullet mold. if ur doing a lot i would suggest the 6 molds, but u will need handles bullet mold release. its like spray pam for bullets lee sells a bullet sizer kit the comes with bullet lube. watch videos on youtube to see the rest on how to do and what to do. remember its lead! dont risk ur life for some cheap bullets. take the time to do it right and safely. best of luck |
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I bought a 3 qt stainless steel sauce pan from Walmart, and use that to melt down, flux and get the impurities out of my wheel weights. I use the small stainless condiment cups to make my ingots. I'll make a few dozen ingots (about a pound each) at a time, then use my Lee bottom pour 10lb pot to actually cast the bullets. I haven't been doing this long at all, but check out http://castboolits.gunloads.com for all you would ever need to know about casting your own bullets.
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| Is it pure lead? Looks pretty corroded so if it were me, I would re-smelt it all and flux well. Make sure it is all the same stuff before smelting. If it's pure lead you will need to alloy it with some antimony and a bit of tin. The antimony will harden it up and the tin will help with mold fillout. You will need to harden it for the 44 mag and other smokless powder loads. |
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The other guys have given good advice.Here's a couple more tips:Old candle stubs or parafin or bullet lube make a pretty good flux;a long handled spoon with numerous small holes drilled in it makes a pretty good skimmer for removing the dross from the melting pot.A casting thermometer will be a great aid in keeping the furnace at at even temperature and that is mandatory for consistent pours.
Get a copy of Lyman's Cast bullet book and I believe the NRA also has a "how-to" on bullet casting. Casting is a lot of fun and if you're attentive to detail you can produce REALLY good bullets. good luck! |
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i also cast for my 44mag. i would suggest using hodgdon "clays" powder. it makes a very comfortable load and you will only need a lead hardness of about 15bhn. thats about the same hardness you need for 45 acp also. all powders are not the same. the pressure will dictate how hard of lead you will need unless you run a gas check on it.
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If you use scrap from indoor ranges be sure you sift through it yourself before smelting it. Don't do like I did and depend on others for that.......... don't ask me how a live 40S&W round got into my pot either............ it was very ugly (except for all the shiny tinsel all over the yard and shed) and could have killed someone too!!
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