Newbie reloading questions

catzor · April 21, 2010, 06:55 PM

Hey all,

I normally just lurk the the semiauto section, but I've had the urge to get into pistol reloading. Last week, I couldn't stand the itch anymore, so I ordered what my wallet would allow, a 9mm Lee Classic Loader. I just finished loading my first 50rds (115gr rainier PHPs, Accurate #5, CCI primers) and this thing is a blast! It's labor intensive and slow as hell, but it works very, very well!

So, as I've already said, I'm one with more time than money(college kid) so I'm interested in casting my own bullets. I understand the basic principle, but I'd like a more detailed explanation of what all costs are involved. As far as I can tell, you need the following:

Lead - $0-10, if you use wheel weights
Melting pot - $0, assuming you don't need a special type of pot
Flux - $?

Is that all you need? Seems like you'd need something to size the bullets one they're cast...or is that just taking the extra unnecessary step? Anyway, as you can tell, I don't know a lot about the process, so if you all can enlighten me, I'll send you a cookie. Thanks for your help!

mrawesome22 · April 21, 2010, 07:12 PM

Do a search for "bullet casting".

qcpunk · April 21, 2010, 07:56 PM

I highly suggest looking around at MidwayUSA's website. They will have all of the equipment needed for casting. Then check your local shops, support the local guys.

But here is a quick list of what comes right to mind....

1. Melting pot/furnace (the names are somewhat interchangeable these days)
2. Casting Mold
3. Casting Mold Handles (most molds do not include handles)
4. Lead Laddle
5. Sizer die (to compress the lead into the correct Outside Diameter, many also lube in the step as well)
6. Bullet Lube die
7. Lead (many people remelt shot lead bullets, some use wheel weights, some buy ingits, lots of options)

But above all, Welcome to TFL and to the Wonderful, yet ever expanding, world of reloading. We have lots of great, knowledgeable people around here. We all like to think this is a great place to hang out, and we hope you do as well.

Welcome again, Cheer!

oneounceload · April 21, 2010, 08:57 PM

I would check your local paper, Craig's list, ebay, ad sections in forums like this for nice used equipment AFTER you do the research so you know what you must have.

Good luck!

Ronbert · April 22, 2010, 10:52 AM

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=346199

Johnny Guest · April 22, 2010, 11:59 AM

catzor - -

Welcome to the Wunnerful World of Molten Metal! You'll notice I moved your thread to Bullet Casting forum. Everyone's friendly here, and anxious to help beginners.

Best of luck - -
Johnny

GP100man · April 22, 2010, 03:03 PM

lead , watch for zinc wheel weights , zinc will render lead useless for castin bullets .

a steel pot , no aluminum !!

A heat source capable of keepin pot 750f.
Fluxin material , I use candle wax (pea sizs will flare up but will burn off qwik)

Mold , a $20.00 lee is what I recommend for beginners ( if ya don`t like it then your not out much)Start with a tumble lube design & ya can lube & size with lees set up ( press mounted) You`ll want a press shortly !!!

Ladle from lyman $15.00

Size kit .356 from lee $15.00

SAFETY GLASSES & PROTECTIVE GEAR !!!

Wet lead will explode if stuck in a pot of hot lead!!!!
Dry it or start with a cold pot!!!!

Do alot of readin here:http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

Enjoy !!!! BE SAFE !!!!

catzor · April 22, 2010, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the info everyone. Just a couple more questions:

1) Does the lee 2-mold dipper come with handles?

2) Steel or iron pot, right?

3) Will a propane turkey fryer heater reliably reach the appropriate temps?

4) I don't need to size the .356 bullets from the lee mold for 9mm, do I? That's what I've read, and it's a relief, but I don't understand why that would be.

If anyone has an old 9mm mold they'll let go of, PM me please!

GP100man · April 22, 2010, 10:47 PM

1 yes.
2 yes no aluminum !!(don`t ask how I know)
3 yes , it`ll heat the lead & you all at the same time !! but it will work
stay up wind the best ya can ( FAN driven breezes count)

4 "IF" ya get a mold that drops a bullet in the diameter ya need .356-.357???
ya can get by if the feed reliably.

GP

April 21, 2010, 06:55 PM	#1
catzor Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 104	Newbie reloading questions Hey all, I normally just lurk the the semiauto section, but I've had the urge to get into pistol reloading. Last week, I couldn't stand the itch anymore, so I ordered what my wallet would allow, a 9mm Lee Classic Loader. I just finished loading my first 50rds (115gr rainier PHPs, Accurate #5, CCI primers) and this thing is a blast! It's labor intensive and slow as hell, but it works very, very well! So, as I've already said, I'm one with more time than money(college kid) so I'm interested in casting my own bullets. I understand the basic principle, but I'd like a more detailed explanation of what all costs are involved. As far as I can tell, you need the following: Lead - $0-10, if you use wheel weights Melting pot - $0, assuming you don't need a special type of pot Flux - $? Is that all you need? Seems like you'd need something to size the bullets one they're cast...or is that just taking the extra unnecessary step? Anyway, as you can tell, I don't know a lot about the process, so if you all can enlighten me, I'll send you a cookie. Thanks for your help!

April 21, 2010, 07:56 PM	#3
qcpunk Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Farmsville, AZ Posts: 305	I highly suggest looking around at MidwayUSA's website. They will have all of the equipment needed for casting. Then check your local shops, support the local guys. But here is a quick list of what comes right to mind.... 1. Melting pot/furnace (the names are somewhat interchangeable these days) 2. Casting Mold 3. Casting Mold Handles (most molds do not include handles) 4. Lead Laddle 5. Sizer die (to compress the lead into the correct Outside Diameter, many also lube in the step as well) 6. Bullet Lube die 7. Lead (many people remelt shot lead bullets, some use wheel weights, some buy ingits, lots of options) But above all, Welcome to TFL and to the Wonderful, yet ever expanding, world of reloading. We have lots of great, knowledgeable people around here. We all like to think this is a great place to hang out, and we hope you do as well. Welcome again, Cheer! __________________ "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it." --Abraham Lincoln

April 22, 2010, 11:59 AM	#6
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	An entire forum, just to handle such concerns! catzor - - Welcome to the Wunnerful World of Molten Metal! You'll notice I moved your thread to Bullet Casting forum. Everyone's friendly here, and anxious to help beginners. Best of luck - - Johnny

April 22, 2010, 03:03 PM	#7
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	gettin started lead , watch for zinc wheel weights , zinc will render lead useless for castin bullets . a steel pot , no aluminum !! A heat source capable of keepin pot 750f. Fluxin material , I use candle wax (pea sizs will flare up but will burn off qwik) Mold , a $20.00 lee is what I recommend for beginners ( if ya don`t like it then your not out much)Start with a tumble lube design & ya can lube & size with lees set up ( press mounted) You`ll want a press shortly !!! Ladle from lyman $15.00 Size kit .356 from lee $15.00 SAFETY GLASSES & PROTECTIVE GEAR !!! Wet lead will explode if stuck in a pot of hot lead!!!! Dry it or start with a cold pot!!!! Do alot of readin here:http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ Enjoy !!!! BE SAFE !!!! __________________ GP100man Last edited by GP100man; April 22, 2010 at 03:09 PM.

April 22, 2010, 10:47 PM	#9
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	1 yes. 2 yes no aluminum !!(don`t ask how I know) 3 yes , it`ll heat the lead & you all at the same time !! but it will work stay up wind the best ya can ( FAN driven breezes count) 4 "IF" ya get a mold that drops a bullet in the diameter ya need .356-.357??? ya can get by if the feed reliably. GP __________________ GP100man

April 21, 2010, 07:12 PM	#2
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Do a search for "bullet casting".

April 21, 2010, 08:57 PM	#4
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I would check your local paper, Craig's list, ebay, ad sections in forums like this for nice used equipment AFTER you do the research so you know what you must have. Good luck!

April 22, 2010, 10:52 AM	#5
Ronbert Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2009 Location: Ft. Collins, CO. Posts: 398	http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=346199

April 22, 2010, 04:10 PM	#8
catzor Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 104	Thanks for the info everyone. Just a couple more questions: 1) Does the lee 2-mold dipper come with handles? 2) Steel or iron pot, right? 3) Will a propane turkey fryer heater reliably reach the appropriate temps? 4) I don't need to size the .356 bullets from the lee mold for 9mm, do I? That's what I've read, and it's a relief, but I don't understand why that would be. If anyone has an old 9mm mold they'll let go of, PM me please!