Bullet casting questions

Mastiff · July 10, 2008, 08:42 PM

I want to start casting 158 grain Round Nosed bullets for 9x23 Winchester. I was looking at casting blocks and the prices I find are wildly different. They range from $20 to over a hundred. Can anyone tell me what the differences are? Which way would you go if you were on a fixed income?
I have a Hornady Projector, and a 9mm/38 die set.

armedandsafe · July 10, 2008, 09:39 PM

I have cast a lot of bullets with the Lee molds and find them very good. If you control the temperature of your lead and keep the molds hot, you will get good results. I have a couple of iron molds and have a little more trouble with them. I suspect that is because I very seldom use them and don't handle them properly. I would recommend getting a copy of the Lyman manual on casting and read it a couple of times.

Pops

doug66 · July 10, 2008, 09:42 PM

I cast for 38/357, 44mag and 45ACP, and use Lee molds. I've had some that didn't work that great, but all in all i've had good luck with them. They are cheap enough to replace if you are not happy with results or you just wear them out.

Mastiff · July 10, 2008, 11:56 PM

Thanks for the help, guys. I appreciate it!

crowbeaner · July 11, 2008, 10:17 AM

Try the guys at www.castboolits/gunloads.com. They have all the knowledge and answers you seek. I post there also. CB.

ForneyRider · July 14, 2008, 03:16 PM

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

Lee stuff is ~20 bucks and works pretty good. It is aluminum so will wear out more quickly than a iron one.

Hawg · July 14, 2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Lee stuff is ~20 bucks and works pretty good. It is aluminum so will wear out more quickly than a iron one.

Most of my molds are Lee. I've got one that's 39 years old and isn't worn out yet.

LHB1 · July 14, 2008, 03:54 PM

Guess I am on the other side of this question. I prefer high quality, precision molds (especially Hensley & Gibbs) and have used them since 1964. Unfortunately for us, Wayne Gibbs retired a few years back and these molds are no longer available. Have also used RCBS and SAECO molds with good success. Have one Lyman mold from 1964 that is still good but two newer Lyman molds both rusted so much after just ONE use that they were trashed. Lyman replaced the first one free but when the second one also rusted, I didn't bother asking for another.

Hawg · July 14, 2008, 08:08 PM

I've got two Lyman molds. One for .58 Minies and one for 255 gr. Keith .45 ACP. I've had the minie ball mold for about ten years and it's never rusted. had the .45 mold for two months or so and no signs of rust on it either. You do need to oil down steel molds after use ya know.

LHB1 · July 14, 2008, 11:45 PM

Quote: "I've got two Lyman molds. One for .58 Minies and one for 255 gr. Keith .45 ACP. I've had the minie ball mold for about ten years and it's never rusted. had the .45 mold for two months or so and no signs of rust on it either. You do need to oil down steel molds after use ya know."

All my steel molds are wiped off with a cloth dampened with rust preventive and then stored in an airtight, sealed box with rubber seal gaskets and spring loaded clamps. Inside of box is heavily layered with special dessicant that will absorb any moisture trapped inside. Have used that method since 1964. It is just odd to me that the only molds I ever had rust problems with were the two newer Lyman molds. The older Lyman mold plus the RCBS, SAECO, and Hensley & Gibbs molds are all fine. Beats me.

Hawg · July 15, 2008, 06:46 AM

Quote:

All my steel molds are wiped off with a cloth dampened with rust preventive and then stored in an airtight, sealed box with rubber seal gaskets and spring loaded clamps. Inside of box is heavily layered with special dessicant that will absorb any moisture trapped inside.

Now that is strange. I just spray mine down with Remoil and put them on a shelf, no box or anything.

July 10, 2008, 08:42 PM	#1
Mastiff Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Posts: 115	Bullet casting questions I want to start casting 158 grain Round Nosed bullets for 9x23 Winchester. I was looking at casting blocks and the prices I find are wildly different. They range from $20 to over a hundred. Can anyone tell me what the differences are? Which way would you go if you were on a fixed income? I have a Hornady Projector, and a 9mm/38 die set. __________________ What are the facts? Again and again and again—what are the facts? —what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts! -Robert A Heinlein

July 10, 2008, 09:39 PM	#2
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	I have cast a lot of bullets with the Lee molds and find them very good. If you control the temperature of your lead and keep the molds hot, you will get good results. I have a couple of iron molds and have a little more trouble with them. I suspect that is because I very seldom use them and don't handle them properly. I would recommend getting a copy of the Lyman manual on casting and read it a couple of times. Pops __________________ Armed and Safe: Not just a theory If it time to bury them, it is time to dig them up. Remember, "Behind every blade of grass."

July 10, 2008, 11:56 PM	#4
Mastiff Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Posts: 115	Thanks for the help, guys. I appreciate it! __________________ What are the facts? Again and again and again—what are the facts? —what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts! -Robert A Heinlein

July 11, 2008, 10:17 AM	#5
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	Try the guys at www.castboolits/gunloads.com. They have all the knowledge and answers you seek. I post there also. CB. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

July 14, 2008, 03:16 PM	#6
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ Lee stuff is ~20 bucks and works pretty good. It is aluminum so will wear out more quickly than a iron one. __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.

July 10, 2008, 09:42 PM	#3
doug66 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 116	I cast for 38/357, 44mag and 45ACP, and use Lee molds. I've had some that didn't work that great, but all in all i've had good luck with them. They are cheap enough to replace if you are not happy with results or you just wear them out.

July 14, 2008, 03:54 PM	#8
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Guess I am on the other side of this question. I prefer high quality, precision molds (especially Hensley & Gibbs) and have used them since 1964. Unfortunately for us, Wayne Gibbs retired a few years back and these molds are no longer available. Have also used RCBS and SAECO molds with good success. Have one Lyman mold from 1964 that is still good but two newer Lyman molds both rusted so much after just ONE use that they were trashed. Lyman replaced the first one free but when the second one also rusted, I didn't bother asking for another. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB

July 14, 2008, 08:08 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	I've got two Lyman molds. One for .58 Minies and one for 255 gr. Keith .45 ACP. I've had the minie ball mold for about ten years and it's never rusted. had the .45 mold for two months or so and no signs of rust on it either. You do need to oil down steel molds after use ya know.

July 14, 2008, 11:45 PM	#10
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Quote: "I've got two Lyman molds. One for .58 Minies and one for 255 gr. Keith .45 ACP. I've had the minie ball mold for about ten years and it's never rusted. had the .45 mold for two months or so and no signs of rust on it either. You do need to oil down steel molds after use ya know." All my steel molds are wiped off with a cloth dampened with rust preventive and then stored in an airtight, sealed box with rubber seal gaskets and spring loaded clamps. Inside of box is heavily layered with special dessicant that will absorb any moisture trapped inside. Have used that method since 1964. It is just odd to me that the only molds I ever had rust problems with were the two newer Lyman molds. The older Lyman mold plus the RCBS, SAECO, and Hensley & Gibbs molds are all fine. Beats me. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB