mold help

batman44 · November 11, 2009, 01:28 PM

My name is batman44 and I am new to casting and I cant find what molds to use to make my own bullets.
I need 1 for my super black hawks 44 mag, and my 357 mag and colt gold cup 45 acp.
I am thinking of lee 6 cav molds
For the 44 mag 240 gr, 357 mag 158 gr, and the 45 acp 230 gr

trip_sticker · November 11, 2009, 02:21 PM

When you say you can't find a mold to use do you mean you are asking for help in choosing the right kind of mold (vendor, make, design, etc) or can't physically find "the one" you are looking for?

snuffy · November 11, 2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

My name is batman44 and I am new to casting and I cant find what molds to use to make my own bullets.
I need 1 for my super black hawks 44 mag, and my 375 mag

Same question as trip, what do you mean? Also, is that a new caliber, or did you mean .357 mag?

Take a look here;
http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Brow...*685***8657***

There's a bunch there, just pick a caliber, style, and weight.

If your question is more specific, you might have to ask it that way, like what weight do I need to do a particular job?

GP100man · November 12, 2009, 07:49 AM

I started with 1 mold for the 44 , I did`nt know if I`d like it or not!!!

Start with summtin in the 240gr. weight , it`s the easiest to find data on& plain based ,no bevel or Gas check to start with & 6 bangers require alot of heat to keep the bullets rollin out !!!

I luv castin as well as reloadin& shootin!!!

I would read what I could get ahold of & go here http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ & glean info !!!

I`d start with a 2 holer from lee & a ladle & find out if I like it first & if ya do you can "upgrade" & not be out a bunch of $$

Just keep askin ????s

If ya go with it just use glasses & never add cold metel to a hot melt!!
no aluminum pots!!!

Gotta start collectin wheel weights & lookin for cheap sources of lead , sadly there few & far between these days!!!

Almost forgot: WELCOME TO THE FIRINGLINE FORUM!!!!!!

batman44 · November 12, 2009, 09:00 AM

thank you for the info. I am new to casting and already have 250 lb of lead to cast. I have a lot of time to kill and need to save as much money as I can, So casting seems to be another way to save money.
I was looking for a chart or something to tell me what to use.
But I want to thank you

batman44 · November 12, 2009, 09:37 AM

when using a 358 mold for the 357 158 gr, do I need to go 358, 357 or 356?
do I even need them?

trip_sticker · November 12, 2009, 08:16 PM

lots of reading and even watch a video or two on youtube about casting lead bullets will answer a lot of your questions but the one you have on sizing will depend on what you gun slugs at. A .357 mag will usually slug at .358, .359 or .360 if it is worn a bit. You need to know your guns exact measurment before you can make an informed purchase.

This is a decent video on how to slug the barrel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR_WiL8Dkgw

batman44 · November 12, 2009, 09:02 PM

thank you,
this helps a lot know I know what to do ,and make my decision

snuffy · November 13, 2009, 12:01 AM

Your basic question seems to say you think you have to order a mold to produce a specific size. That's not how it is done. You get a mold to produce a nominal diameter, then size it down to what you barrel slugs at. That is done with a sizer that squeezes,)swages),the cast bullet to a pre-selected size.

batman44 · November 13, 2009, 06:18 PM

so if I GET A 358-357-RF for my super black hawk I might need a 358 of 359
depending on the bore size. I saw a video on utube on slugging the bore.
should I get a die for gas checks?

trip_sticker · November 13, 2009, 06:30 PM

let's try this. Here are some questions that your answers to will help to decide what mold to buy.

1) What weight bullet do you currently shoot out of the .357 mag?
2) What bullet style do you currently shoot?
3) How much $$ do you want to spend on your new mold?
4) Honestly, how many bullets a year do you fire from that gun?

batman44 · November 14, 2009, 06:05 AM

I will be loading 158 gr swc in 357 mag.I am willing to spend what I need to and I shoot 3000 to 5000 ayearin 357, maybe 5000 in 45 acp 230 swc and 2000 to 4000 in 44 mag 240 swc.

trip_sticker · November 14, 2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

I will be loading 158 gr swc in 357 mag.I am willing to spend what I need to and I shoot 3000 to 5000 ayearin 357, maybe 5000 in 45 acp 230 swc and 2000 to 4000 in 44 mag 240 swc.

158 gr SWC for the .357 mag is a very popular round. All the mold manufactures make one. I shoot that bullet using this mold. It is Lee model 90321.

I have cast about 2000 rounds out of it so far in the last 5 months with no problems. Some people will tell you that for higher volumes like your 3-5000 a year, you will want to use a higher quality mold and I can't argue with that. I can say that this mold will make nice bullets, the Lee aluminum mold is easy to learn on and not very expensive at all. No sizing die is needed usually for the tumble lube style, you just cast it, tumble it in some Lee Liquid Alox, dry it and load it. Very simple process.

batman44 · November 14, 2009, 10:15 AM

Don't get me wrong but I love to play. I wont shot that much all the time but I have two boys and they are getting into shooting and guess who's ammo
they use.If they shoot to much they will have to buy the raw material,and learn how to cast themselves but I want to know as much as I can to teach them the right way.

thank you for your help ,it will come in handy

Ivan · November 14, 2009, 09:13 PM

Personally, I don't cast pistol bullets any more. I definitely CAN produce some very high quality bullets, but when you factor in the time to prep the lead, cast and then lube the bullets, the factory stuff is very inexpensive. As for the quality, the difference in accuracy is noticeable when shot off the bench, but only then.

- Ivan.

chris in va · November 14, 2009, 10:47 PM

FWIW, I *just* started casting, and have only reloaded about 2000 rounds of 9mm so far.

I'll tell you this, casting is relaxing, addictive (more than reloading), and very time consuming. Don't start casting if you want to be quick about anything. It takes quite a while to get the wheelweights, sort out the zinc and steel, melt them down, spoon off the dross and junk, flux and pour into ingots. THEN you can either melt those down to ladle into a mold, or get one of those nifty Lee bottom pour furnaces.

After that, they need to be lubed somehow. Either use the Lee Alox stuff and set the bullets overnight, or get a press/sizer.

Once that's accomplished, it's time to get reloading...a whole other process.

batman44 · November 15, 2009, 07:40 AM

I have been reloading for 27 years now because it is relaxing to me and I know the process . I have always had 2000 or more 44 mags on hand and 2 or 3000 223s on hand but because of the hog prices I ran out of 44, 45 and 357. when I went to buy cast bullets 44s were almost $50,that is why I am starting to cast my own. As far as time , I have a lot of time to do the casting. I have made muffin ingots[approx 200lb] and wasn't that bad.And when you cant find cast you will have to wait and the price will go up .So why not cast your self.

November 11, 2009, 01:28 PM	#1
batman44 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: willshire,ohio Posts: 17	mold help My name is batman44 and I am new to casting and I cant find what molds to use to make my own bullets. I need 1 for my super black hawks 44 mag, and my 357 mag and colt gold cup 45 acp. I am thinking of lee 6 cav molds For the 44 mag 240 gr, 357 mag 158 gr, and the 45 acp 230 gr Last edited by batman44; November 12, 2009 at 06:54 AM.

November 12, 2009, 07:49 AM	#4
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	Castin I started with 1 mold for the 44 , I did`nt know if I`d like it or not!!! Start with summtin in the 240gr. weight , it`s the easiest to find data on& plain based ,no bevel or Gas check to start with & 6 bangers require alot of heat to keep the bullets rollin out !!! I luv castin as well as reloadin& shootin!!! I would read what I could get ahold of & go here http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ & glean info !!! I`d start with a 2 holer from lee & a ladle & find out if I like it first & if ya do you can "upgrade" & not be out a bunch of $$ Just keep askin ????s If ya go with it just use glasses & never add cold metel to a hot melt!! no aluminum pots!!! Gotta start collectin wheel weights & lookin for cheap sources of lead , sadly there few & far between these days!!! Almost forgot: WELCOME TO THE FIRINGLINE FORUM!!!!!! __________________ GP100man Last edited by GP100man; November 12, 2009 at 08:00 AM. Reason: addition & spelun

November 12, 2009, 09:00 AM	#5
batman44 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: willshire,ohio Posts: 17	thank you thank you for the info. I am new to casting and already have 250 lb of lead to cast. I have a lot of time to kill and need to save as much money as I can, So casting seems to be another way to save money. I was looking for a chart or something to tell me what to use. But I want to thank you

November 12, 2009, 09:37 AM	#6
batman44 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: willshire,ohio Posts: 17	resizing dies when using a 358 mold for the 357 158 gr, do I need to go 358, 357 or 356? do I even need them?

November 12, 2009, 09:02 PM	#8
batman44 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: willshire,ohio Posts: 17	thanks thank you, this helps a lot know I know what to do ,and make my decision

November 11, 2009, 02:21 PM	#2
trip_sticker Member Join Date: August 28, 2009 Posts: 88	When you say you can't find a mold to use do you mean you are asking for help in choosing the right kind of mold (vendor, make, design, etc) or can't physically find "the one" you are looking for?

November 12, 2009, 08:16 PM	#7
trip_sticker Member Join Date: August 28, 2009 Posts: 88	lots of reading and even watch a video or two on youtube about casting lead bullets will answer a lot of your questions but the one you have on sizing will depend on what you gun slugs at. A .357 mag will usually slug at .358, .359 or .360 if it is worn a bit. You need to know your guns exact measurment before you can make an informed purchase. This is a decent video on how to slug the barrel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR_WiL8Dkgw

November 13, 2009, 12:01 AM	#9
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Basic question Your basic question seems to say you think you have to order a mold to produce a specific size. That's not how it is done. You get a mold to produce a nominal diameter, then size it down to what you barrel slugs at. That is done with a sizer that squeezes,)swages),the cast bullet to a pre-selected size. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

November 13, 2009, 06:18 PM	#10
batman44 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: willshire,ohio Posts: 17	ok so if I GET A 358-357-RF for my super black hawk I might need a 358 of 359 depending on the bore size. I saw a video on utube on slugging the bore. should I get a die for gas checks?

November 13, 2009, 06:30 PM	#11
trip_sticker Member Join Date: August 28, 2009 Posts: 88	let's try this. Here are some questions that your answers to will help to decide what mold to buy. 1) What weight bullet do you currently shoot out of the .357 mag? 2) What bullet style do you currently shoot? 3) How much $$ do you want to spend on your new mold? 4) Honestly, how many bullets a year do you fire from that gun?

November 14, 2009, 06:05 AM	#12
batman44 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: willshire,ohio Posts: 17	ok I will be loading 158 gr swc in 357 mag.I am willing to spend what I need to and I shoot 3000 to 5000 ayearin 357, maybe 5000 in 45 acp 230 swc and 2000 to 4000 in 44 mag 240 swc.

November 14, 2009, 10:15 AM	#14
batman44 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: willshire,ohio Posts: 17	ok Don't get me wrong but I love to play. I wont shot that much all the time but I have two boys and they are getting into shooting and guess who's ammo they use.If they shoot to much they will have to buy the raw material,and learn how to cast themselves but I want to know as much as I can to teach them the right way. thank you for your help ,it will come in handy Last edited by batman44; November 14, 2009 at 10:16 AM. Reason: the thanks

November 14, 2009, 09:13 PM	#15
Ivan Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Posts: 141	Personally, I don't cast pistol bullets any more. I definitely CAN produce some very high quality bullets, but when you factor in the time to prep the lead, cast and then lube the bullets, the factory stuff is very inexpensive. As for the quality, the difference in accuracy is noticeable when shot off the bench, but only then. - Ivan.

November 14, 2009, 10:47 PM	#16
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	FWIW, I just started casting, and have only reloaded about 2000 rounds of 9mm so far. I'll tell you this, casting is relaxing, addictive (more than reloading), and very time consuming. Don't start casting if you want to be quick about anything. It takes quite a while to get the wheelweights, sort out the zinc and steel, melt them down, spoon off the dross and junk, flux and pour into ingots. THEN you can either melt those down to ladle into a mold, or get one of those nifty Lee bottom pour furnaces. After that, they need to be lubed somehow. Either use the Lee Alox stuff and set the bullets overnight, or get a press/sizer. Once that's accomplished, it's time to get reloading...a whole other process.

November 15, 2009, 07:40 AM	#17
batman44 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: willshire,ohio Posts: 17	reloading I have been reloading for 27 years now because it is relaxing to me and I know the process . I have always had 2000 or more 44 mags on hand and 2 or 3000 223s on hand but because of the hog prices I ran out of 44, 45 and 357. when I went to buy cast bullets 44s were almost $50,that is why I am starting to cast my own. As far as time , I have a lot of time to do the casting. I have made muffin ingots[approx 200lb] and wasn't that bad.And when you cant find cast you will have to wait and the price will go up .So why not cast your self.