A Good Afternoon's Work

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Here's how I spent my day off on Wednesday. Should pretty much take care of my CAS needs for next year. Of course, I still have to lube and size them, but that's easy with my Star lubesizer while watching TV.

[Dick Dastardly]

Fine graphic illustration of a fine Cowboy's actions taking control of his ammo component supply.  Now, how's anyone goin' to tax that?

Good on you Driftwood!!

DD-DLoS

[Tequila Jim]

May all your molds be 6 holers... Thats impressive Driftwood. Went from the 200 gr Big Lube one day
to the 234 gr Lyman one holer the next day. Oh my aching arms. Regards, TJ

[msn_jrd]

So I have been wondering how much time do you spend casting bullets? as in how many bullets do you get out of a casting session and how many hole mold and about how much time you spend sizing and lubing them?   

[Driftwood Johnson]

So I have been wondering how much time do you spend casting bullets? as in how many bullets do you get out of a casting session and how many hole mold and about how much time you spend sizing and lubing them?

Howdy Again

Casting is a bit of an involved process for me. I have to spend about an hour transforming my crowded little basement into a bullet factory. I only cast bullets once or twice a year, so once I get started I keep going until I run out of lead or energy, whichever comes first. I don't bother casting for Smokeless, just for Black Powder. For Smokeless I am content to buy commercial bullets. I cast in my basement with the bulkhead door open, so I wait for a nice fall day that isn't too cold, but after the mosquitoes have died off.

I started getting set up this time about 11:00AM and cast my last bullet after dark, around 5:30PM. This included breaks while I restocked the pot with lead, and changing over from one mold to another. I produced 750 45 caliber PRS 250 grain bullets, 550 J/P 45-200 bullets, and 600 Mav-Dutchman 44 caliber bullets in this session. I still have some bullets left over from my last casting session, so this will probably be just about enough to get me through next season. The molds are all Big Lube six cavity molds.

I lube/size on a Star lubesizer, which is much more efficient and quicker than my old RCBS lubesizer. I can size around 250 bullets an hour while watching TV.

[msn_jrd]

thanks a lot drift wood that helps a lot to put it in perspective that means i can make time for casting!! besides i would get a joy out of it even if it wasnt that productive. im a hands on kinda guy and make stuff for a living to boot so i think ill fit right in cuz it seems from what i have been reading you can always try to make a better boolit 

[Pitmaster]

With a 6 cavity mold you can turn out a lot of bullets. I setup my casting gear in the garage about 6 weeks ago. I've been able to make enough bullets to last well over a year and I haven't spent that much time casting. I still want to run off a couple thousand more by the end of November. Then I have the rest of the winter to begin using my new 650.

[Fairshake]

Nice looking results from your casting session. msn_jrd, if you get into casting it can become another hobby and not just something you do to shoot. I have been casting since around 1971 when I was working at a gun store and did casting on the side to make extra money for a new baby at home. The store owner set me up with three Lyman pots and a Star sizer with plenty of 4 cavity molds to keep it busy. At first it was hot and tiring and not fun. I then grew to like it and see how many good bullets I could get with out putting any back in the pot. You can make your self dizzy from all the different alloys and what each gun prefers. If you want it to it will be a science class for sure. Try shooting BPCR and casting and you will see what I mean. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is a good start. Later David