With the problem getting the same bullets I have used for years I am considering casting for rifles.
What molds do you folks use?Lead mix?Lube?Equiptment?
What molds do you folks use?Lead mix?Lube?Equiptment?
Who cast and load lead for big game?
- Thread starter Old Rooster
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codyadams
Well-Known Member
My dad does for lots of guns, mostly pistols, but hunts with his 20" 1892 chambered in .44 mag. His is a modified Lee mould I believe? Used to be like a 265 grain hollow point, but he ground it off to make it a flat point, and it is now 290 grains with pure lead. Lee melting pot also. Kills elk well enough.
codyadams
Well-Known Member
I'll also add that he casts the same bullet for my bear protection .44 mag I carry, but uses almost pure linotype, makes it very hard to make sure it penetrates well, I think those weigh about 282 grains or so.
So you came by the hunting itch naturally!
Nice cow elk and I bet it was good eating.
Thanks,I cast for my 44 mag 310 gr and 45 lc as well as 45ACP but new to rifles.
Do you know the make of the moulds he is using?
Nice cow elk and I bet it was good eating.
Thanks,I cast for my 44 mag 310 gr and 45 lc as well as 45ACP but new to rifles.
Do you know the make of the moulds he is using?
codyadams
Well-Known Member
He uses a mix of Lee, RCBS and Lyman. Mostly Lee, because they are WAY cheaper and he doesn't have any issues with the aluminum Lee moulds, however he managed to get about $1200 worth of RCBS and Lyman moulds of various types from a yardsale for $250 a few months ago, mostly single and double cavity, and says they cast great bullets too, just not really "better" than the Lee moulds, so not worth the normal cost is his opinion.
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memtb
Well-Known Member
Have taken some big game with a 44 mag with my cast bullets! Presently casting 400's for my 460 S&W and 430's for my 45-70.....no game taken with either yet! memtb
memtb
Well-Known Member
If you're not committed to one of the big, old names in bullet molds ....take a look at Accurate Molds. He has more bullet designs available than you can imagine. He offers in steel, brass, and aluminum. He even offers a single mold with different calibers or bullet weights. I got a 4 cavity mold made up of 2 cavities each for my 460 and my 45-70. He will even do custom molds to your specifications.His molds are pretty reasonably priced!
Custom Bullet Molds | Accurate Molds
Precision CNC lathe bored custom bullet casting molds. Choose a design from our catalog or submit your own custom design.
www.accuratemolds.com
These are the only molds that I'll buy from now on! memtb
Ckgworks
Well-Known Member
I'm working my way into rifle, been casting and powder coating pistol a long time- 9mm, 357, 45acp and 45 LC. Look into Arsenal Molds......I have 3 or 4 of their larger molds and really like them for production. I feel for the money they are a bargain. Currently the only rifle I cast for is 25-35, but a have a few old 30 cal molds around. Old Lyman, RCBS, and some Lee aluminums. I have a few different mixes I use depending on the bullet. I have lead calculator sheet I downloaded that's really handy for mixes. To give credit where it's due, there is a link below if you'd like to download load it.
Lead alloy calculators
I made a spreadsheet that will let you calculate the properties you get when mixing two or more types of lead. Let me know if there is anything that is incorrect or needs improvement. EDIT (2/6/11): Added Brinell hardness estimate. EDIT (2/14/11): Expanded calculator to mix up to 10 alloys...
castboolits.gunloads.com
back40sniper
Active Member
Cast and load for 45/70, 375H&H, and 416 Rigby and 41Mag for pistol and rifle. Haven't used 416 on game but am sure it would work! The hobby in itself is kind of fun and makes for lots of cheap shooting. If I may there is a site called Castboolits that deals with this "art".
I don't cast any bullets myself, but shoot 265 grain cast from a Lyman mold in my 375 ruger for deer hunting, and a 200 grain cast from an Rcbs mold in my 338 RCM. Both bullets do excellent on deer. Hardly any meat damage, but really thumps em'.
Lionel Boyd Johnson
Well-Known Member
I've made my own cast bullets for handguns and rifles for over 50 years. Most of my molds are Lyman but I have a few Saeco and RCBS as well. I started with 16:1 lead/tin, but currently use several lead/tin/antimony alloys. While I have cast for 9mm, .38/.357, .44, and .45 handguns; I focus on .30 caliber rifle bullets. If you will tell us what caliber rifles you may want to cast for, perhaps we could suggest specific mold numbers. -Ed
memtb
Well-Known Member
Hi, I'm sorry for my ignorance and am seeking real world advice, not trying to start anything. Do the high FPS of rifles cause "excessive" leading or do the harder alloys help with this. Again, just seeking real advice
Proper sizing (slug your bore for exact size), good bullet lubes, alloy hardness, and gas checks all contribute to good accuracy and minimal leading when pushing cast bullets pretty hard.
Powder coating cast bullets has added a whole new dimension to cast bullet shooting. Minimizing fouling (lead and bullet lube), they can be pushed to pretty high velocities, often increase accuracy and is not difficult to do. I've only been powder coating about 3 years, it's a little tedious, but well worth the effort!
With all the bases covered, 2200 + fps mv is quite doable with cast bullets! Though, I keep mine below 2000 fps. memtb
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TennJed
Well-Known Member
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- Nov 18, 2012
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Thank you, I've read about powder coating and it looks really good. I'm excited about trying this. I'd be interested in .308 and maybe 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 Grendel. Thanks again for your input.
