Cast my first bullets today.

[hounddogman]

I don't really have everything setup but I wanted to try the molds.  A MP 359 hammer and a Lee 230 grain 45 mold that I bought maybe 15 years ago and have never used. Got a  few rejects but most came out pretty good.  This could get addictive. 

[iwsbull]

I have bad news for you, your addiction is getting worse and I am not sure there is a cure.

[gnappi]

For a first go at it they're looking GREAT! Good work!

[hounddogman]

Mar 10, 2024 23:23:37 GMT -5 gnappi said:

For a first go at it they're looking GREAT! Good work!

Thanks, I was actually surprised how well they came out. 

[ridenshoot]

Those hollow points look devastating, what is your lead/metals mix?

[sharps4590]

Mar 10, 2024 23:13:42 GMT -5 iwsbull said:

I have bad news for you, your addiction is getting worse and I am not sure there is a cure.

I can assure there is neither "cure" nor "12 Step program" where a person can even become a recovering "bullet caster."  Celebrate Recovery doesn't address it nor does AA and there is no "Bullet Casters Anonymous."

[gemihur]

A great batch for someone who is a beginner
I agree that the hollow point design looks devastating!

Thanks for sharing

[hunter01]

As has been said, you are now addicted, and there is no cure. In seemingly a few days, those two molds will be ten and you will feel thats not enough. There is satisfaction in making almost anything. Making and taking game with your own bullets is surpassed to me only by the same with a bow and arrows of your own hand. Even if you are just killing paper and chasing groups, there is great satisfaction in home cast bullets. I also find peace knowing hornady/speer/nosler etc dont own me or my handguns when they choose to discontinue something.

[tullymars]

Excellent job!!! Be sure and give a shooting report.

[bigbore5]

And your obsession begins. I enjoy casting as much as shooting. It's great therapy and extremely relaxing.

[HadesMN]

Nice!


I'll reinforce how addicting casting really is so you can mentally prepare yourself...


Bullets look great though. I really like that 230gr TC bullet and that 358 looks like an absolute hammer. The HP looks devastatingly huge as well.

Be sure to post a range report after you get a chance to load and shoot them!

[hounddogman]

So, I am waiting for a 358 sizing die and some powder coating. But I already had .451 and .452 dies and some Lee alox so I coated the. 45 TC bullets will try them in a couple of days. I plan on powder coating everything in the future. The lead I used was from RMR bullets. It's their jacketed bullet cores and contains 2.5 to 3 % antimony and I added a little bit of tin . I'm already planning the next mold needs to be a .44 or 45 revolver mold or or or.... Right now I am under the delusion that 5 or 6 molds is all I will ever need.

[bigbore5]

Mar 11, 2024 14:45:19 GMT -5 hounddogman said:

So, I am waiting for a 358 sizing die and some powder coating. But I already had .451 and .452 dies and some Lee alox so I coated the. 45 TC bullets will try them in a couple of days. I plan on powder coating everything in the future. The lead I used was from RMR bullets. It's their jacketed bullet cores and contains 2.5 to 3 % antimony and I added a little bit of tin . I'm already planning the next mold needs to be a .44 or 45 revolver mold or or or.... Right now I am under the delusion that 5 or 6 molds is all I will ever need.

Since there's antimony in the alloy, they will not fully harden for about a month. It's your first batch so I know you want to go shoot some, and that's fine, but don't base your accuracy and leading results off this batch.

As the bullet hardens, it may effect accuracy and leading of the barrel. Too soft and the accuracy can suffer due to the bullet skidding on the lands. Too hard and it will lead the barrel. It'll also lead if the bullet is undersized for the barrel.

It would get too long to post here all the details about setting up a revolver to shoot cast optimally, choosing alloy, sizing, lubes and coatings, blah,blah.. It's a science and art of it's own.

Welcome to the experiment!

[bushog]

That is how it all starts.....

[lar4570]

They look pretty good to me!