tx gun runner

Here is some bullet molds and handles . You say why so many handles . The handle must fit the mould correctly to cast a perfect bullet . Very few handles and molds mate correctly so they must be fitted each one . I have numbers stamped in each handles and that number is stamped on mold to match . Sometime it is as easy as turning the handle over . Look at bottom row and you can see the difference and 1 I drilled extra holes . The mold must float and line up without using the align pins to align mold up . The mold will wear out super fast if not fitted and then it won't cast for beans .



The base must be sharp and not rounded . If a bullet cast .308 I will use a .309 lube sizer or .308 as a second choice . The base is the most the important part . The nose and grease ring are not a big deal . Most fliers are a nick or damage in base of bullets , which causes the gas to kick the bullet .

deputy125

i have often thought about getting into casting...........but i just don't have the time.

perhaps when/if i ever retire, i can do it.

purty much made up my mind i will start with Lee should that ever happen. A friend told me a good source for lead is the electric company. Checked with one of their lineman and he said they had moved away from lead.............checked with the gas station and they are saving all their wheel weights and sell them as scrap once a year........

guess all the old free sources are gone in this day and age......

tx gun runner

I use pure lead for muzzle loader , 25 lbs pure lead to 1 lbs tin for target cartridge . For everything else wheel weights [no glue ones] are as good as it gets and no need to add anything , and are very cheap to buy too boot [.20 a lbs] . Pure lead is around .50 a lbs and tin $10.00 a lbs .

XLCH

I have fifteen Lee molds, mostly two and one cavity and six Ranchdog six cavity molds also made by Lee. They have all worked well for me. Needless to say being a plumber I have to mix my lead as I use scrap from the jobs that we have to replace cast iron pipe with PVC.

gunman42782

I have only cast bullets once, and that was for 50 cal muzzle loader round ball, pure lead. It was a PITA. Have thought about it again over the years, especially with the high cost of bullets now days, but still never took the plunge.

Tom W.

I've been casting since the mid '70's, first for my muzzleloader and then for my .357, and since then for all of my centerfire handguns and my 30 cal. rifles.
Half of my molds are Lee, the others RCBS. I know Lyman makes some nice bullets, but I just don't like their molds....

tx gun runner

I like the iron molds best , the mold temp is easier to control . I make all my rifle target molds . The lathe cut molds if done right they come out perfect and you can barely see the seam in the 40 cal bullet .

Reddog

I've cast bullets since 1962. Started casting for a .303 British Mark-IV and a 30/06 1903-A3. Later on, a .38 Special K-38. Later, many others. I'm mainly into handguns, now, mostly .38 Special/.357 Magnum, but also 9 mm, .40 S&W, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 Colt. I use mostly RCBS and Lyman moulds, but do have a few LEE, but don't care much for their bullet styles. I cast lead bullets for my 30/30 Win., too. Most used are the .38, .41 .45ACP and .44.
I've scrounged lead the whole time, mostly wheel weights, mixed the various kinds, added about 2% tin and cast into 1 pound ingots for future use. Since I have my own range in the shelterbelt out back, I reclaim a lot of the lead from a pile of logs that I use for a backstop.
About 15 years ago, I bought a new Lyman bottom pour pot. Very nice! Before that, I used a 20 pound cast iron pot and dipped the lead. Slow!
I mix my own lube, half Lithium grease and half beeswax with liquid Alox added. Probably about 10% on the Alox.
I use Hornady gas checks on the 30 caliber and a couple of the .44 caliber moulds. Don't use checks on the others.
The biggest problem I have casting is keeping up. I never have enough cast bullets ahead!
The pic is of my Customized S&W 5" Model 27-2.
Dick

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tx gun runner

Love your smith I'm getting out of the bullet casting and selling everything . Here a sample of the stuff for sale . Before you order anything ask me If I got it .

Reddog

Thanks, TGR!
I've sold off a lot of my moulds in the last couple years to get down to what I was actually using! What I'm looking for now is more S&W Revolvers! K, L, and N frames.
Dick

Bountyhunter

Nice Smith! I've thought about casting, but I'd have to do it outdoors and the winter wood suck. Plus it's easier just buying them.

Reddog

Thanks, BH!
I like my own cast bullets better than what I can buy, and the price is plumb rediculous!
Dick

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tx gun runner

The ft sight don't look original . Is it a Ruger ft target sight , looks good and partridge ft is the best in my book .

Reddog

No, Sir, TX Gun Runner, that's a Wiegand aftermarket sight.
I had a young local smith chop off a 6.5" barrel that was bulged right at the muzzel. He installed the new front sight. It needed some more adjustment that he couldn't do, so I sent it to S&W for them to finish up. I'm waiting, now, for them to let me know the charges. They logged it in on June 1, so it shouldn't be much longer! I hope it will come in under $600, total! I have several other 6" barrel N frames and wanted to try a 5" What little I've got to shoot it, I really like it!
By the way, the load I shot the above target with was 153 gr. RCBS cast plain base semi-wad with 3.7 gr. 700X and WSP primer. Use this load at your own risk! I don't use it in K frames, just Ns and Ls!
Dick

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JOHNNY WACKO

I'm ashamed to say i never have.I have all kinds of equipment and never got started. Time goes so quick..

Bountyhunter

I didn't catch that until you posted about it, Gunrunner. I went back to look and don't know how I missed it.

Reddog, is S&W going to put the original sight back on? Would the original height even work now with the shortened barrel? I like 4" barrels on DA revolvers. I think they are as close to perfect as perfect gets.

tx gun runner

Here the one I use and like and it's only $11 from Ruger or Midway .

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Reddog

BH,
The Wiegand sight works just fine. By the way, that's a 5" barrel. They're doing some other work, adjustment on the opening and closing of the cylinder, and the rear sight was bent off to the left. The gun had been sorely mistreated at one time or another!

GunRunner,
That looks like a nice sight for $11! I gave more than that for mine.