Getting into Casting

[rcscott30]

Well, after finding prices on-line for my rifles are OUTRAGEOUS I decided to start casting and making my own bullets/lube. Start up cost was a dent in the pocket, but I believe it will pay for itself in the long run. (esp. when you purchase everything all at once). Here are a few pics on my progress. Haven't had the chance to fire any yet, mother nature hasn't cooperated with me this winter.

 

[ArmorerRoy]

I don’t believe you will regret it.

 

[necchi]

There is a learning curve. If you do rudimentary study, the curve is short.
You made the right choice,
,just don't forget to keep learning as you practice the art.

 

[rcscott30]

Your right. I did a lot of research before jumping in.

 

[rcscott30]

 

[Edm]

Because I’m curious, are you casting inside your house? Now I cast in The garage where my shop is… so I’m not debating casting inside…

But if you are, are you single? Yet?

 

[rcscott30]

Because I’m curious, are you casting inside your house? Now I cast in The garage where my shop is… so I’m not debating casting inside…

But if you are, are you single? Yet?

I'm casting the bullets outside in my back shed. I make up and pan lube the bullets inside, safe from the weather. 50 and 54 caliber LEE REALs and 54 caliber improved minies

 

[Kansas Jake]

I also cast in the garage with the door open. Plenty of ventilation.

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

I was taught casting in 10th grade shop class, lots of fun. Later worked a lot with a jeweler friend, casting silver and gold. Currently cast lots of bullets and round balls.
Very rewarding hobby!

 

[rcscott30]

It gets pretty windy here in south eastern Oklahoma! But for safety reasons, I have a large industrial fan at my door blowing a good amount of air into the shed and open windows inside for ventilation. I put peppermint oil in my lube mix so the ladies in the house don't mind the smell. Even asked me for some for their wax melters!

 

[ord sgt]

You will get a lot of smoke when you flux the lead. I do my casting in my attached garage. Adding wax to the lead help to float impurities.

 

[rcscott30]

I got my lead from Rotometals and it was the pure lead. After fluxing with Marvelux from TOW, it was pretty clean.

 

[user 34300]

Watch out for Marvelux. It is very corrosive and will rot your Lee pot.

 

[RB POWELL]

I got my lead from Rotometals and it was the pure lead. After fluxing with Marvelux from TOW, it was pretty clean.

Rotometals is a good outfit.

 

[rcscott30]

Watch out for Marvelux. It is very corrosive and will rot your Lee pot.

Thanks for the info. Only casted about 20 lbs of lead in 3 sessions so how do I clean the stuff out of the pot? I'll get a wax candle from here on.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Thanks for the info. Only casted about 20 lbs of lead in 3 sessions so how do I clean the stuff out of the pot? I'll get a wax candle from here on.

A little pine sawdust works well too

 

[rcscott30]

Dollar General is less than a mile down the highway from my home and they have $2 wax candles with no dyes or scents added. One should last me a while....

 

[Salty Cracker]

Watch out for Marvelux. It is very corrosive and will rot your Lee pot.

Really? Surprised. Never heard that

 

[rcscott30]

I usually shoot PRB out of my 50 cal. but this 54 cal. Pedersoli GPH I got on gunbroker was a steal. I dont think the seller had a clue what he was selling and for damn sure I wasn't going to tell him. 54 ammo is hard to find.

 

[rkg1]

Just as scote4570 said marvelux will cause your pot to build a lot of dirt on the pot side walls not necessarily rusty scale. It also absorbs moisture so you need to be careful when first stirring the pot with a spoon or what ever you use. I probably will not use it I my Lee pots any more but will in my cast iron pot when making ingot alloys. It still works well and less smoke.