need input please

UniversalFrost · July 15, 2009, 11:57 AM

Ok,

Looking at getting back into casting my own bullets (used to do this years ago) and was also looking at casting a small amount of extra to sell to help fund my shooting.

I was looking at casting 9mm, 38/357, 44 and 45. I would use either lead or linotype (hardcast), but with the linotype it would cost more due to having to order, but lead I can source locally.

I was thinking of using the lee liquid "tumble" type lube since I have had good experiences with this in the past and it really decreases the leading in the barrel compared to traditional stick type lubes.

Would like input on sizes folks shoot the most for cast bullets and calibers. so basicly give me a bullet size, gr, type (i.e. .355 124gr round nose or .357 158gr SWC), etc...

I would be doing this to help keep myself in bullets for shooting and both make a few bucks on the side for supplies like powder/primers, but to also pass on a savings to folks on the forum and provide a source for some good shooting bullets.

**Unclenick** · July 15, 2009, 06:46 PM

Check with BATFE, but I expect you need an FFL to make them for sale. That's partly because of export controls. Once you have a permit, you can expect the EPA will be keeping an eye on your use of metals and your waste and scrap disposal and smelting air pollution. It may not be worth the hassle as anything less than a full-time business? But check and see?

You don't need linotype for handgun velocities. Linotype is expensive and relatively brittle. If you can get some at scrap prices, it is a good source of antimony and tin for diluting into pure lead or a soft alloy. But by itself, the brittleness makes it a poor choice for hunters. Heat treating a softer alloy, however, doesn't increase brittleness. That's one of the good properties of lead alloys. You could use something like 93.25% lead and 3% each of tin and antimony, and .25% arsenic (which is needed for hardening). Heat them in an oven and quench them to BHN 25 or so. Size them immediately so they continue hardening after sizing. The will eventually, over a long time, soften back down to about BHN 20, but thats a ways off and is pretty good.

VaFisher · July 15, 2009, 07:49 PM

You do not need any lic what so ever to make and sell bullets. It's not like you are selling loaded ammo in which you would need to have a FFL.

Sevens · July 15, 2009, 07:58 PM

Does the Lee lube hold up well if shipped in a priority mail box and left in mail trucks at 110 degrees? Because that's what is required if you intend to sell and ship bullets. And I'd say the lube and how well it stays on the bullet and how well it bucks the sweltering temps and handling of shipping is one of a cast bullet buyers biggest concerns.

I really have no idea if the Lee lube will pass that test, I just figure I'd throw it out there.

As for sizes, I stick to what's popular. .356 for 9mm, .358 for 38/357, .401 for 10's, .429 for 44 Mag, .452 for 45's. You can almost call these sizes an industry "standard" for cast lead bullets... except that (of course!) some casters can offer variances of thousandth either way. But it's only the really big casters that typically offer such a choice, it's not what I would call common.

Sevens · July 15, 2009, 08:00 PM

Oh, bullet styles. In 9, I use 125gr LRN exclusively. In .38 I use 148gr DBBWC and 158gr LSWC. In 10 I'm a manwhore, cause I'll try anything. In .44, I've only used 240gr LSWC and 300gr LTC, but I've not done much in that caliber. In .45, I've always stuck to the good old H&G68, the 200gr LSWC.

UniversalFrost · July 15, 2009, 09:45 PM

the whole reason for switching to the lee liquid lube is for the reason of stick lube types melting in the AZ heat.

in the past when I lived up north I used stick lubes, but had to switch to the liquid lee lube down here.

turned out the lee liquid lube gets the job done rather well and leaves less leading in the barrel than a normal stick lube.

JOE

July 15, 2009, 11:57 AM	#1
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	need input please Ok, Looking at getting back into casting my own bullets (used to do this years ago) and was also looking at casting a small amount of extra to sell to help fund my shooting. I was looking at casting 9mm, 38/357, 44 and 45. I would use either lead or linotype (hardcast), but with the linotype it would cost more due to having to order, but lead I can source locally. I was thinking of using the lee liquid "tumble" type lube since I have had good experiences with this in the past and it really decreases the leading in the barrel compared to traditional stick type lubes. Would like input on sizes folks shoot the most for cast bullets and calibers. so basicly give me a bullet size, gr, type (i.e. .355 124gr round nose or .357 158gr SWC), etc... I would be doing this to help keep myself in bullets for shooting and both make a few bucks on the side for supplies like powder/primers, but to also pass on a savings to folks on the forum and provide a source for some good shooting bullets. __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green

July 15, 2009, 06:46 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,735	Check with BATFE, but I expect you need an FFL to make them for sale. That's partly because of export controls. Once you have a permit, you can expect the EPA will be keeping an eye on your use of metals and your waste and scrap disposal and smelting air pollution. It may not be worth the hassle as anything less than a full-time business? But check and see? You don't need linotype for handgun velocities. Linotype is expensive and relatively brittle. If you can get some at scrap prices, it is a good source of antimony and tin for diluting into pure lead or a soft alloy. But by itself, the brittleness makes it a poor choice for hunters. Heat treating a softer alloy, however, doesn't increase brittleness. That's one of the good properties of lead alloys. You could use something like 93.25% lead and 3% each of tin and antimony, and .25% arsenic (which is needed for hardening). Heat them in an oven and quench them to BHN 25 or so. Size them immediately so they continue hardening after sizing. The will eventually, over a long time, soften back down to about BHN 20, but thats a ways off and is pretty good. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

July 15, 2009, 07:58 PM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Does the Lee lube hold up well if shipped in a priority mail box and left in mail trucks at 110 degrees? Because that's what is required if you intend to sell and ship bullets. And I'd say the lube and how well it stays on the bullet and how well it bucks the sweltering temps and handling of shipping is one of a cast bullet buyers biggest concerns. I really have no idea if the Lee lube will pass that test, I just figure I'd throw it out there. As for sizes, I stick to what's popular. .356 for 9mm, .358 for 38/357, .401 for 10's, .429 for 44 Mag, .452 for 45's. You can almost call these sizes an industry "standard" for cast lead bullets... except that (of course!) some casters can offer variances of thousandth either way. But it's only the really big casters that typically offer such a choice, it's not what I would call common. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

July 15, 2009, 08:00 PM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Oh, bullet styles. In 9, I use 125gr LRN exclusively. In .38 I use 148gr DBBWC and 158gr LSWC. In 10 I'm a manwhore, cause I'll try anything. In .44, I've only used 240gr LSWC and 300gr LTC, but I've not done much in that caliber. In .45, I've always stuck to the good old H&G68, the 200gr LSWC. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

July 15, 2009, 09:45 PM	#6
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	the whole reason for switching to the lee liquid lube is for the reason of stick lube types melting in the AZ heat. in the past when I lived up north I used stick lubes, but had to switch to the liquid lee lube down here. turned out the lee liquid lube gets the job done rather well and leaves less leading in the barrel than a normal stick lube. JOE __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green

July 15, 2009, 07:49 PM	#3
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	You do not need any lic what so ever to make and sell bullets. It's not like you are selling loaded ammo in which you would need to have a FFL.