to cast or not to cast

My casting has thus far been limited to BPCR and BIG hunting bullets (480+ grain .451 and .504). 

If I have to buy alloy, the numbers that I get are within .01 whether I buy 185's or I cast them and that will not include lube. I do have a reasonable supply of soft lead, but unless I can get some inexpensive (or free) wheel weights, I don't see a financial case for casting. I have maybe 100lbs of wheel weights right now, that were sorted and put in ingots. I also have tin that I can add to the mix to approach lyman #2. 

So, what am I missing? Does it make sense to cast? Does anyone have any advice on finding wheel weights or the like at reasonable prices. I do have a tire shop down the street and I was able to get a couple of buckets from them over the years (I think I have succeeded twice and tried three times in the past 10 years).  


Mike

I think casting is only an option if you get free or cheap lead. It's hard to top places like Magnus regarding quality.

or if you have a mold not used commercially such as a flat base #68

Mortality rate given the popularity of Zinc, is about 50% from my sources and then many started to charge.  I went to buying pure lead and pure tin and alloying but then decided to put the time in to other pursuits when I slowed down and looked at priorities and expenses objectively.  We can't (shouldn't) decide for you.

If you enjoy doing it then I would but with all the good bullet companies out there and you cant save money or create a much better bullet then why?

The real issue with casting yourself is the time involved.  If you don't buy your alloy you fist need to melt it and blend  to a consistent alloy.  Then it needs to be cast into bullets and sized.  In the quantities needed for a typical pistol season, the level of effort is astounding.  That's the reason I buy my pistol bullets.

Thanks guys. At this point casting seems not in my best interest. I appreciate the help.

Cus' no one makes a .436 dia bullet for my .442 Bulldog!

This is the third year I thought about selling all my casting equipment. But the 32 wadcutter keeps me casting.

Ghillieman,

What mold are you using for the 32 WC? What pistol are you casting for? Are you getting good 50 yd results?  

I enjoy casting and have plenty of time for it. With H&N bullets becoming hard to get, I'd like to find a good .314 mold for my Benelli 90.

Thanks.

Jim

JKR,
I am using Magma Engineering 32 wadcutter 93gr flat base and loading for a Pardini HP.
The accuracy is there even though I get a few egg shaped holes at 50. I really think it has to do with the mixed cases I'm using. I just bought a bunch of starline so we will see if that clears up.
The Magma 93gr wadcutter is a fairly short bullet, it should stabilize well in European slow twist barrels.

I'm keeping all my casting stuff. I'm concerned that Hillary will ban or HIGHLY tax the sale of anything with lead in it. Could probably be done by executive order.
I'd be stockpiling lead, too.

there's a thought.

Greetings,

The primary reason I cast is to keep control of the process.

1) You control what the alloy/hardness is.
2) You control the diameter of the as cast bullet by ordering custom moulds.
3) You control the lubrication.
4) Each bullet is visually inspected and, sometimes, checked with a micrometer prior to greasing.
5) The bullets are gently placed in a tray to protect the bases.

When you by machine cast bullets, all of the above is out of your control.

Even the swaged HBWC bullets I buy in bulk need visual inspection. The ones that fail inspection get reswaged in a Corbin Swage Press to true up the dings and diameter.

Pretty anal? Perhaps, but the bullet is key to accuracy.

Cheers,

Dave