Waht did you cast today?

Todd M

Craftsman of metals...always learning.
I like the looks of it, looks like about a 200-220 grain? Who makes it, or is it a one off group buy that’s over and done. I have enough options for my 44 but it’s good lookin’
 
Last edited:

Todd M

Craftsman of metals...always learning.
I’ve been using the lee 208 button nose wadcutter for plinking loads for a few years. They don’t carry much line but I don’t need much.
 

JonB

Halcyon member
The local gunshow is less than 2 weeks away. I am hankering to cast something. BUT, I disassembled my casting room (moved boxed items into another room), for the electrical panel replacement project, which is done now. I had plans to change (improve) things a bit, as I reassembled the room, but don't have a solid plan yet. Many other projects I should be doing, Sept is always my busy month, along with getting ready for the annual gunshow ...and I figure I can do this reassembly project after the snow falls...but as I said, " I am hankering to cast something."
 

Wiresguy

Active Member
Well, not today, but it was Monday and I cast a bunch from Accurate Molds 35-130A and 31-100F which is my favorite mold for 32 Long & H&R.

Since I cast in an open shed I have to pick my casting days by the weather and I now have enough bullets cast and stored to get me through at least until next spring or summer.

I’ve been using Carnauba Red for over 10 years and as I was digging to the bottom of the 50 cal ammo can in which I store my lube, I found 2 sticks of LBT Blue and 2 sticks of GAR 50/50 along with several hundred 22 cal 55 grain jacketed bullets.

GAR had about the best prices for Saeco molds back in the mid-90’s and I can’t remember when they went out of business or when I bought this lube, but I know it was before 2005.

Forgetting that you have stuff is offset by the pleasure of the “new” discovery ;)

JonB - looking forward to seeing you at the Gun Show.
 

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
160 grain. Excuse the type O in the title Rumble has not fully processed it so can not edit yet.
 
Last edited:

Snakeoil

Well-Known Member
Beautiful sunny day out today. So a perfect day to spend in the basement castsing bullets. :headscratch:

I'd run out of NOE 314210 for my 03 Springfield. I'm not a fan of casting bullets. Although the 4-cavity NOE mould has certainly improved my enthusiasm. Filled the pot and put mould on the hotplate and went up to have breakfast. When I was done, lead was up to temp and so was mould.

I cast about 766 bullets by weight, since I'm not counting that many. I timed myself and the average time to cast, cut the sprues, dump the mould, close it and have it under the spout for the next pour ran anywhere from 15 to 20 seconds, 20 seconds being driving by bullets not dropping out of the mould. So, casting 4 bullets every 17 seconds on average yields a rate of 847/hr. I took a break after about 45 minutes and cast some 303 grain Saeco bullets for my .38-55. Also, dumping the sprues back in, waiting for the lead temp to come back up and then fluxing all adds time. I figure my time just casting and the other steps removed was about 1 hour, maybe less. So, I'm happy with 766 bullets/hour.

Here's the finished jug-o-bullets. Should last me about 6 months or 12 centerfire matches. Probably longer since I figure 60 rounds/match but I rarely shoot more than 9 or 10 sighers for a 40 round match unless the conditions are brutal. So, I'll probably get a couple more matches from this batch.



20221021_140309.jpg

Only cast about 130 of the .38-55 slugs. I have two missions for these bullets.
1. See how they do out to 500 yds. The 250 gr bullets I was using fall apart past 300 yds. Charlie says this one does very well out 500 with BP. But I'll be launching them with 2400. Charlie said to try a thin card wad under the bullet to act as a gas check. Said the Schuetzen guys do this since they all shoot plain base and smokeless.

2. See if the rifle is fun or abusive to shoot. It's a Browning Traditional hunter with a crescent buttplate. Looks nice, but sucks for shooting matches. If I decide the rifle is no fun, I'll probably sell it and look for an original High Wall in .30-30 or .32-40 or just find an action and built a rifle. I want a single set trigger. My shooting partner has one in .40-65 that he is willing to sell me. Has a single set but it stopped working. He bought a new Meachem at the time and just put the Winchester back in the safe. His friend has been making noise about wanting to buy the rifle, so he gets first dibs. If I get it, I'll just rebarrel it.
20221021_164008.jpg
 

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
Snakeoil if you do end up with the original High Wall and it hasn’t been altered, please do the planet and gun community a favor and don’t rebarrel it. If it’s not original it’s fair game in my book.
Just a guy that cringes anytime I hear about someone altering original Winchester’s. Gives me the shakes.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I assume the 410610 is new to you? as it was mentioned in another thread.
How are the 'as dropped' dimensions?
Apologies, yes its the "troubled mold"

214g with this alloy
.4125- .411 diameter.

Overall Height of original was .725 Height of mine is .7135

Now that dont mean I took 11.5 thousandths cause it takes spure deflection into OAL. I DIDNT measure what I took but estimate about .006/.007.

CW
 

MW65

Wetside, Oregon
Yesterday spent some quality time at the casting bench... Whipped up 30 carbine 120gr rn cast from the noe mould... drops like butter!!! Also used the Lee 170gr 30-30 & lee 314 90 to make up some fun plinking loads for 7.62x25, and a variety of 30 cals...
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Finally cool enough to cast bullets today, 56*. One the left is the NOE 502-375 for a friends new Freedom Arms 50 AE. Not what I would have chosen, but he likes the old Lyman Hi-Vel-Pen bullets. On the right is the RCBS 45-270 bullet for the 45 Colt. Made about 75 of them for practice and ten to keep for the SAA that I carry walking in the winter time in the foot hills. Alloy is 1990's WWs and 2% tin run at 700*.

10-24 castings.jpg