Cast Bullet Tips

[40s-and-wfan]

I'm pretty new here and am looking for some information. I shoot a S&W M&P 45 (full size) and recently purchased a bullet mold from Midway to cast 230-gr bullets for it. I did call the manufacturer of the Pistol to make sure I wasn't going to void the warranty and they assured me that would not happen. I am looking for any tips y'all might be able to give for loading and shooting cast bullets.
I know it's dirty and fouls up the gun a fair amount but I'm willing to live with that. I just want some advice as to how I can go about doing this with the best results! Any help at all would be appreciated!!

Thanks!!

 

[okiefarmer]

Should not be an issue with leading the 45 "IF" you can still find some wheel weight lead to cast with. I understand it is getting about as hard to find as hen's teeth these days. You never mentioned your casting material, or for tht matter, a lead pot or anything else. A mould is only one item needed in casting. A good lube should be used, I use some of the lubes requiring heating to flow, but it is really not needed. Velocities on the 45 don't really call for the stiffer lubes. I also use some of the LEE moulds that utilize their tumble lube method. I don't have any problems with leading with this method either, and it is much easier, but it must be used with the mould that casts the bullet the right diameter as cast, as this way one can avoid the sizing stage. I really would not recommend the tumble lube on a non TL bullet mould, not enough surface area to contain lube on single/double lube groove bullets IMO. The round will smoke, but that is the lube burning off, a good sign. If it don't smoke, it means none is wiping off on the barrel lands/grooves. I cast with straight WW for all pistol rounds, only adding more tin for anything over 1600 FPS in rifle rounds.

Hope you get other replies, as I am certainly not the be all/ end all to answers on reloading. Go and get a good loading manual and follow recipes, starting 10% under recomendations and work up.

IMHO, shooting is only a fraction of the fun, I get just as much relaxation and enjoyment in rolling my own.

Good luck

 

[40s-and-wfan]

I should have mentioned, I have all the other material needed. I have the melting pot, ladle and all the wheel-weights I can handle right now! I've got (at this point) 3 coffee cans full of them. Some of the tire stores are holding the same for me at $0.05/lb. I have a double cavity mold from Lee (230-gr) that requires the Tumble-Lube method you mentioned so I think we're both on the same page as far as that goes for the most part!

I agree with the fact that shooting is only half the fun. I'm looking forward to trying out my new Lee Progressive Reloading Press too!! This whole combination should be fun! I've spent my whole life using an RCBS Rock Chucker press and am excited to try out the new setup! Thanks for the info and I look forward to more advice!!