Any bullet casters here?

[Wabatuckian]

Here is a copy of some data for the 45AutoRim loads that I shot in my M625JM (4” barrel).
240gr LSWC @1120fps/avg ain’t no slouch! Lol
This data came from the Speer #8 loading manual.

Wow.

 

[Skip]

Wow.

Yeah, they are stout. Those were printed loads even before the newer 45ACP revolvers were made. I’m not afraid to shoot them in the Ruger but I can’t run them in AR cases in it. The M625JM I can.

 

[Wabatuckian]

Yeah, they are stout. Those were printed loads even before the newer 45ACP revolvers were made. I’m not afraid to shoot them in the Ruger but I can’t run them in AR cases in it. The M625JM I can.

I've thought about building a .45 Super, but am not sure what I'd use it for. Still, it would be fun.

 

[Skip]

I've thought about building a .45 Super, but am not sure what I'd use it for. Still, it would be fun.

There is the Rowland too. It can go in most 1911’s I think.

 

[freekforge]

I cast for 30/30, 300blk, 45colt, 45auto, .44 spl/mag, 38/357, .490rb, the 50cal lee REALs, and I've experimented with .223/5.56. I'm sure I'm missing some. 44mag and 300blk are my absolute favorites to cast and load for. I've done some pretty dumb stuff with my dad's old vaquero in 44mag and a win94 in 44 mag.

 

[Skip]

I cast for 30/30, 300blk, 45colt, 45auto, .44 spl/mag, 38/357, .490rb, the 50cal lee REALs, and I've experimented with .223/5.56. I'm sure I'm missing some. 44mag and 300blk are my absolute favorites to cast and load for. I've done some pretty dumb stuff with my dad's old vaquero in 44mag and a win94 in 44 mag.

How do you lube your rifle bullets?

 

[Michigan Slim]

How do you lube your rifle bullets?

I use a light coat of alox before sizing and gas checking, then a light coat after. More than happy with it

 

[Virch]

Here is a copy of some data for the 45AutoRim loads that I shot in my M625JM (4” barrel).
240gr LSWC @1120fps/avg ain’t no slouch! Lol
This data came from the Speer #8 loading manual.

I've got Speer #8 and some of the loads in it scare the hell outta me. Especially some of what's listed for .38 Special.

 

[Skip]

I've got Speer #8 and some of the loads in it scare the hell outta me. Especially some of what's listed for .38 Special.

I’ve run "The Load" a lot in my M60 3". It’s the SR4756 maximum load for a 158gr LSWC. I use that same recipe for these in the same revolver.

 

[Virch]

I’ve run "The Load" a lot in my M60 3". It’s the SR4756 maximum load for a 158gr LSWC. I use that same recipe for these in the same revolver.

I'd run those in a .357 Magnum, but not my Model 10, lol. I will say, the Speer #8 .45 AR loads have intrigued me for a while. I too have a Blackhawk with both .45 Colt and .45 ACP cylinders. Last year I picked up some .45 Cowboy Special brass with the intent of trying to work up some of the hotter old .45 AR loads.

 

[Skip]

I'd run those in a .357 Magnum, but not my Model 10, lol. I will say, the Speer #8 .45 AR loads have intrigued me for a while. I too have a Blackhawk with both .45 Colt and .45 ACP cylinders. Last year I picked up some .45 Cowboy Special brass with the intent of trying to work up some of the hotter old .45 AR loads.

That’s where I got mine from. 2400…..lol
I think they’d be fine in an N frame 38 too. L frame would be okay too. J frame has a thick forcing cone so…. It’s a personal decision. I have no problem running them. Just me though. SR4756 has some amazing pressure data.

 

[canebreaker]

I've been casting as far back as I can remember. Wheel weights were pure lead back then. Drill a bunch of holes in a board, pour the melted lead over it and wipe off the extra. Split the board to get the small pieces of lead. Use a knife and hammer to make split shots. Bought a bank sinker mold when I was 10, it would cast 1/8 to 2 oz sinkers. Bought a box of 25 molds when I was 15. My first job out of high school was casting babbitt bearings for Dover Elv. Co. I've bought a lot of molds over the years, sold some after casting a lot for myself. Started bullet casting in 1990. Just finished casting 110 lbs of pure lead 358-120LRN. After I get the garden planted I'll cast some 358-125 LRNHP.

 

[freekforge]

How do you lube your rifle bullets?

Powder coat and gas checks. I shot a couple hundred 5.56 while I was experimenting and saw very little powder coat build up in the gas port of an old ptac upper. Really need to dig my old data up and try to get cast 5.56 to run reliably.

 

[freekforge]

I've been casting as far back as I can remember. Wheel weights were pure lead back then. Drill a bunch of holes in a board, pour the melted lead over it and wipe off the extra. Split the board to get the small pieces of lead. Use a knife and hammer to make split shots. Bought a bank sinker mold when I was 10, it would cast 1/8 to 2 oz sinkers. Bought a box of 25 molds when I was 15. My first job out of high school was casting babbitt bearings for Dover Elv. Co. I've bought a lot of molds over the years, sold some after casting a lot for myself. Started bullet casting in 1990. Just finished casting 110 lbs of pure lead 358-120LRN. After I get the garden planted I'll cast some 358-125 LRNHP.

I had to cast babbitt bearings in my highschool machining class in 2011/12. When I got my job at the fab shop, maintenance was going to call a guy to do it for one of the machines but I talked them into letting me come in on a Sunday and do it. Got double time and an extra vacation day for doing it.

 

[Creeker]

Cast my first in 1973.

 

[SSE]

I still do some casting but now mostly just some 30 rifle, 45-70, and 45 acp. Powder coating got me started again. It changes the game totally.

 

[Beowulf]

I started casting back in 2019 for a small model cannon and I've expanded to casting for a whole bunch of calibers.

.380, 9mm, .45 ACP, .45 LC, .300 BLK, .45-70, 11mm Chassepot, 11mm Mauser, 11x59R Gras, .577 Snider, 450/577 Martini, .54 Burnside, .58 Minié ball, .69 round ball (both .648 and .662), and of course, 2" 2 pound projectiles for my Whitworth cannon.

I powder coat all the rounds I'm loading for smokeless powder (just lard/beeswax grease for the blackpowder bullets).

But definitely finding lead is difficult. When I started, I lucked out and bought a bunch of ingots from a guy getting out of casting. Since then, I've just bought ingots from other scrapper/casters on eBay generally.

I've called a bunch of the scrap yards/recyclers around Indianapolis and none I talked to will sell to the public. The tire shops I've talked to said they aren't seeing lead wheel weights anymore. Even the roofers I've talked to seemed to have no idea what I was talking about when I asked about roofing lead (which is weird, since I'm pretty sure it's still heavily used).

It's definitely a tough hobby to pick up now a days.

 

[Hookeye]

Heck I gotta move 250# of Lyman ingots from storage unit to my shed this weekend and am down to one good arm.
I'll pick up some decent beer and call a buddy, he owes me LOL

 

[Hookeye]

Pops sold darn good bullets at gunshows going back to the early 70s.
Did so up to maybe 10 yrs ago.
Still cast after that, had a couple big ammo cans full of .44, .45 and .357.
Not sized or lubed.
Ended up selling for scrap price since nobody wanted to pay even a tiny bit for em.
Not worth my time to size/lube and then drag to gunshows.
Im not retired.

Do think casting a decent pastime for those no longer stuck in the weekly grind.

 

[Creedmoor]

Pops sold darn good bullets at gunshows going back to the early 70s.
Did so up to maybe 10 yrs ago.
Still cast after that, had a couple big ammo cans full of .44, .45 and .357.
Not sized or lubed.
Ended up selling for scrap price since nobody wanted to pay even a tiny bit for em.
Not worth my time to size/lube and then drag to gunshows.
Im not retired.

Do think casting a decent pastime for those no longer stuck in the weekly grind.

I climbed hard into it with shooting 38 Special WC Bullseye pistol.
I loved Remingtons 148gn WC that were lubed with that black coating.
I have maybe a case 2,000? Of them left.
I am always on the lookout for 38 WC vintage molds to buy and try.
I have more than a few I bought from your Dad. The last swap meet I got those .256 molds you had on the table.
One has been put back to work.
I also cast a few BPCR caliber bullets,
Most of those molds I ordered from Steve Brooks.