Noobie to casting!
I'm thinking about casting for my handguns(480,44mag, 45acp, 9mm and 38spl.) btu have some questions.1) What for alloy will work for these calibers?
How do you seat gas checks if I need them(dont want to buy expensive lubrisizers)? I think thats it for now.
To quickly throw some answers out,
1) plenty of alloys will work for standard target type loads form these calibers. However as the velocity/pressure goes up, the allow will need to be adjusted. (more below)
2) seating a GC is a simple process, snap them on the base of the bullet and shove it through the sizer. Well I say that, I use Lee sizers and they work great for this.
Now for the add on's,
I am shooting my own cast in calibers from .38spl through .454 so far. I have used mainly plain based in everything but the 41,44, and 454, simply due to I am running these at the upper end of the load range. I am using mostly all Lee molds in either configuration of lube type. I have only pan lubed a few, with most being lubed with the afore mentioned 45/45/10, or straight LLA.
If you REALLY want the lowdown on pouring and shooting your own, and what alloys should work best for what your pouring for then you need to spend a weekend absorbing the following,
The Cast Bullet / Hunting Articles Of Glen E. Fryxell
and also,
The Cast Bullet Notes PAge
While your there download the book listed there "From Ingot to Target". After you have put that information in your memory banks your about halfway to getting your own lead bullets out the ends of your firearms.
One suggestion, concentrate on slugging your bores, and the type of bullet your wanting to shoot, and how your going to use it, first. Then move on to the the best alloy to accomplish this at the velocities your wanting to shoot.
If you don't already have a goodly amount of lead in some form or fashion my advice is to get started either scrounging it up, or purchasing it. My area has been called a mecca of cast shooters, so finding any reliable source of WW has been a non issue. There simply isn't any. I have been purchasing my alloy from folks who offer it up generally at 60# for around $65 delivered via flat rate USPS. So far I have not had any issues. I have a couple of folks from whom I purchased a small amount then after finding it worked out for my use I got plenty more from them.
As for the sizing and lube, your on the right track to get into the hobby with out spending an arm and leg. While many hold Lee products in disdain, I find no issues with their sizing dies or lube. This said, you get a bottle of LLA with every sizing kit, but if you want it separately, then I HIGHLY suggest looking up White Label Lubes. They sell both Xlox, which is identical to the Lee Alox but cheaper for more, as well as other stick lubes which can be gently melted down for VERY effective pan lubing. The pan lube thing does make things a bit slower, but if you want to go that route with a particular bullet, it isn't terrible. The key is having a good tool to use which isn't overly counterproductive. There are even a few folks who sell them specifically for the task. This is one who have been thoroughly reviewed by folks over on Castboolits.
Waxmeister
Personally I have found tumble lubing to fit my needs. I don't sweat what the bullet type is, I simply lube them, size them, then lube again, and when dry load them up. I have shot velocities ranging from around 700fps up through 1700fps with mostly WW alloy, or a blended alloy which comes in right in the same BHN area. IF you want to purchase pure alloy there is always Rotometals, or The Antimony Man who certify their alloys.
Well hope this helps and good luck with your projects.