Buffalo Arms Molds
- Thread starter Idaholewis
- Start date
Ian
Notorious member
Some of the finest bullets I've ever seen. 40:1 isn't the easiest alloy to work with. Most of my casting, even the big stuff, is done with a bottom-pour furnace as a matter of convenience and production since to ladle I have to do it outside. The dinky little RCBS and Lyman ladles are ok for .22s but for anything bigger or multi-cavity, a #2 Rowell with a vee-grooved spout is the ticket.
Some of us nuts here even paper patch our smokeless powder loads for maximun speed and accuracy in small to medium bore cartridges. It is a dying art.
Some of us nuts here even paper patch our smokeless powder loads for maximun speed and accuracy in small to medium bore cartridges. It is a dying art.
Idaholewis
Active Member
My problem was feeling “Cramped” for Space if that makes sense? I was using an Old Lee 4-20 Bottom pour that i plugged the Spout on Permanently, Just to be used as a Melter. The Surface are is Small, I felt cramped for Room. I have no doubt I could get use to Ladle Casting over a Small Dutch oven Size Pot. I have 2 Ladles, a Lyman, and a #2 Rowell Bottom pour Type, To me personally, They both Sucked Equally Bad
I was able to Eventually get good Bullets, But it was a STRUGGLE for me!! Unlike my a Modified Bottom Pour Pot, that thing is like an Extension of my Brain Everything about it just Feels Natural to me. They have their Quirks NO DOUBT! The Spout Plugging up, Dripping, etc. But i have used them So much that I know Exactly what to Expect from them, and i have what i need sitting on the bench Handy to Fix anything that could Go wrong, Mostly a Drip, or Plugged Spout.
Idaholewis
Active Member
Idaholewis
Active Member
Thank you again Everyone, For the Nice Comments and Warm Welcome. This site was an AWESOME Find!
I am nearly 50 years Old These Days, I started handloading when i was 14-15 years old, I saved up Lawn mowing money and bought myself an RCBS Rock Chucker Press, And Just kept adding pieces over the years. I stil love my Centerfires, But i don’t shoot them nearly as much as i use to, My main reason is the Cost of Components, I got in to Blackpowder a Few years ago and went Hog wild in that, The Bullet Casting Hobby Came with the Blackpowder.
There Truly is an Art To Casting REALLY high Quality Bullets, It doesn’t just “Happen” Immediately, at least it didn’t for me. It took me quite a Bit of Trial and Error to get where i am Today. I am finally at a Point now that i can Grab a Brand new Mold, or just a new to me Mold, and in Short time i am Casting Perfect Bullets with it.
Something i was taught by Lee Shaver’s (2 Time World Champion BPCR Shooter) Was the importance of My Bullet Bases, Lee explained to me that the Base is actually what Steers the Bullet, And to Except NOTHING but PERFECT, SHARP Bullet Bases. Lee knew my Direction was in the Hobby was Long Range Target. This might not make much Difference at 100 Yards, But i can tell you now that it DOES the Farther you Get out there, 500-600 Yards will Tattle on your Bullets in a HURRY!! I have Shot my Cast Bullets to 825 Yards
I am nearly 50 years Old These Days
, I started handloading when i was 14-15 years old, I saved up Lawn mowing money and bought myself an RCBS Rock Chucker Press, And Just kept adding pieces over the years. I stil love my Centerfires, But i don’t shoot them nearly as much as i use to, My main reason is the Cost of Components, I got in to Blackpowder a Few years ago and went Hog wild in that, The Bullet Casting Hobby Came with the Blackpowder.There Truly is an Art To Casting REALLY high Quality Bullets, It doesn’t just “Happen” Immediately, at least it didn’t for me. It took me quite a Bit of Trial and Error to get where i am Today. I am finally at a Point now that i can Grab a Brand new Mold, or just a new to me Mold, and in Short time i am Casting Perfect Bullets with it.
Something i was taught by Lee Shaver’s (2 Time World Champion BPCR Shooter) Was the importance of My Bullet Bases, Lee explained to me that the Base is actually what Steers the Bullet, And to Except NOTHING but PERFECT, SHARP Bullet Bases. Lee knew my Direction was in the Hobby was Long Range Target. This might not make much Difference at 100 Yards, But i can tell you now that it DOES the Farther you Get out there, 500-600 Yards will Tattle on your Bullets in a HURRY!! I have Shot my Cast Bullets to 825 Yards
358156 hp
At large, whereabouts unknown.
What do you use for alloys? More accurately, are you buying premixed alloys, or do you mix/blend your alloys? I'm really impressed with the quality of your casting, and all of your bullets look so... smooth & clean, for lack of a better description. Even the samples you show with the moulds you have up for trade.
Idaholewis
Active Member
With these Muzzleloaders I use a LOT of Pure Lead, i have used up to 1-20 Alloy, But Mostly 1-40, And i buy it Already made From Buffalo Arms Co.
I have a Video on Casting, it’s kinda long at like 37 Minutes, But Shows EXACTLY How i do it. The KEY is to Slightly Over Heat your Mold and then Cast/Dump, Cast/Dump, Until the Mold Settles Down. It only takes 3-4 Bullets and the Mold will Enter “The Zone” i call it, From that Point i keep Everything. I can Cast 100 BIG 450-500 Grain Bullets, and maybe have 6-8 That i end up Culling back? And that’s me being REALLY Picky. Most of my Bullets will be a 1/2 Grain of Eachother
Pure Lead was a Challenge to Cast, Compared to Alloys. But with the Above Method it’s EASY! Here are some examples of All PURE LEAD Bullets, Certified Pure Lead i get From Buffalo Arms, NOTHING Added
