Really wanting to step up to the big bore rifles (.400 Whelen, .404 Jeff, .416 Rigby or .458 Lott) and thinking I need to start casting. From what I've read the big bore stuff lead shoots as fast as jacketed stuff and would save me a lot of money in the long run. I used to manage a tire store for 7 years so I'm in pretty good there to get all the wheel weights I'd ever need in a couple of trips to my old shop.
I've never shot cast boolits before but I do have 20 rounds of .375 JDJ running 300 grain LFN GC from and LBT mold that my buddy sent me to try. Plus I have another friend who is going to cast me some 220 grain RNGC for my .30-40 Krag to try. Plus I have a .358 Win .35 Whelen and .357 Mag that I think I'd be able to cast for as well.
I've been trying to put together a list of equipment. Pretty much decided on a Lee melting pot after reading all the reviews on it and will probably go with the 20lb model as it is only around $10 more than the 10lb pot. Pan lubing sounds the easiest to start since I've been looking at Lee again for sizing dies for the boolits as I could use it in the press I already own, is this a good idea or should I get a Lyman press and dies? The only thing I can't find out on the Lee dies is how to seat the gas checks can I do it with these dies or is there a seperate step for it?
Couple of other questions on equipment will the mold handles interchange or will I need to buy a set to match the molds I'm using ie RCBS, Lyman, Lee? Didn't like the looks of the Lee dipper but RCBS and Lyman had a good looking one. Do I need to get an ingot mold or should I just go to good will and buy used muffin tins? I'll need to get some flux and safety equipment as well and do alot of research on the molds I'll want.
Right now for molds I think the 265 gr FNGC will work for my .375 Ruger and JDJ but would love to try the 300 grain LBT spitzer. I'd like a 225 and 250 gr spitzer/semi spitzer for my .358 and Whelen. What would you all recomend for a good all around mold for a .357 Mag? Then I'd like a 150/170 gr for my .30-30 and a 200+ gr mold for my .30-40 as well.
Haven't built my big bore yet, still gathering parts and am pretty much down to just finding the right deal on a barrel. I'm leaning more towards the Lott so what are some good .458 molds?
Thanks!
I've never shot cast boolits before but I do have 20 rounds of .375 JDJ running 300 grain LFN GC from and LBT mold that my buddy sent me to try. Plus I have another friend who is going to cast me some 220 grain RNGC for my .30-40 Krag to try. Plus I have a .358 Win .35 Whelen and .357 Mag that I think I'd be able to cast for as well.
I've been trying to put together a list of equipment. Pretty much decided on a Lee melting pot after reading all the reviews on it and will probably go with the 20lb model as it is only around $10 more than the 10lb pot. Pan lubing sounds the easiest to start since I've been looking at Lee again for sizing dies for the boolits as I could use it in the press I already own, is this a good idea or should I get a Lyman press and dies? The only thing I can't find out on the Lee dies is how to seat the gas checks can I do it with these dies or is there a seperate step for it?
Couple of other questions on equipment will the mold handles interchange or will I need to buy a set to match the molds I'm using ie RCBS, Lyman, Lee? Didn't like the looks of the Lee dipper but RCBS and Lyman had a good looking one. Do I need to get an ingot mold or should I just go to good will and buy used muffin tins? I'll need to get some flux and safety equipment as well and do alot of research on the molds I'll want.
Right now for molds I think the 265 gr FNGC will work for my .375 Ruger and JDJ but would love to try the 300 grain LBT spitzer. I'd like a 225 and 250 gr spitzer/semi spitzer for my .358 and Whelen. What would you all recomend for a good all around mold for a .357 Mag? Then I'd like a 150/170 gr for my .30-30 and a 200+ gr mold for my .30-40 as well.
Haven't built my big bore yet, still gathering parts and am pretty much down to just finding the right deal on a barrel. I'm leaning more towards the Lott so what are some good .458 molds?
Thanks!