Big Lube Boolit, Star and Lathesmith

[Wagon Box Willy]

Howdy folks,

I have decided to go all out in my bullet casting.  I picked up a Big Lube J/P 45-200 mold from Dick Dasterly, a new Star from Magma Engineering (used prices are just ridiculous) and had dies made for my J/P 45-200 and Lyman 457132 by Lathesmith over at Cast Boolits.

Using all my remaining lead I was able to cast about 575 bullets.  The Lathesmith made die made lubing them in the Star a breeze.  I'm pretty happy with my setup so far.

http://bpcr1885.net/big-lube-jp-200-casting/

[Dick Dastardly]

Ho Willy,

Congratulations on taking control of your bullet supply.  Nothing wrong with buying them, but when the final control lies in your hands it is comforting to know that you will always have the bullets you want in the quantity you need.  Regardless of the breezes of law. . . .

DD-MDA

[fourfingersofdeath]

Very professional set up!

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Willy

Ain't that J/P 45-200 a peach?

[Wagon Box Willy]

Very professional set up!

Thanks, I'm not sure how professional it is but to me it was the only thing that made sense (notwithstanding price).  I still cant get over how the Star machines in Ebay were ending bid at $275....people are just crazy and must get caught up in the bidding...kinda like gambling I think.  New Machines are expensive at $297 but are real bargain when you compare them to the used, worn and incomplete ones on Ebay.

[Wagon Box Willy]

Howdy Willy

Ain't that J/P 45-200 a peach?

Howdy Driftwood,

Yes, the original 200 grain version of your bullet with 24gr of BP works great in my 1875's.  The last match you may remember my six shooters giving me loads of problems.  I had ran out of J/P 45-200's and was using full load (38gr) and some JP 45-220's I had bought from Dash Caliber and they were beating the snot out of my 1875's, causing the cylinder pins to come out and just generally jamming the mechanisms.

After that I had to decide whether or not to order another couple of thousand from Slim or make the investment in the sizer and mold....obviously I decided on the latter.

I was actually thrilled when Dick sent my the original 200 grain version of the mold and not the newer 220gr (210) version since it works great in all my guns.

[springfield]

Actually you got the 4th version of the mould. The original short bullet, then the heavier one with the oversize cavities, then the long nose version with the PRS lube groove, then the lighter short nose with the PRS lube groove. I've had all 4, now just have 2 and 4.

[Wagon Box Willy]

Slim, Thanks for the info, I didn't realize that there were four variations.  In any event the mold I received is the same bullet as you were selling me so I'm happy about that.

I decided to cast my own not because it was cheaper, but because it's more fun.

[Dick Dastardly]

It was back to basics with the latest tooling.  My new machinist/engineer has the current tooling and he is VERY good at cutting molds.  I have bought another ton of extrusions and they are delivered to him now.  Finally, I have a complete inventory of molds and when I run low I can now confidently order more and be guaranteed a 10 day delivery horizon.  I hope to never have to back order another Big Lube mold for a customer that needs one.

Life is good.

DD-MDA

[rbertalotto]

Um....That would be "Lathesmith" not lasersmith. Chris, the owner of Lathesmith make beautiful dies for the Star. None better!

[Wagon Box Willy]

Um....That would be "Lathesmith" not lasersmith. Chris, the owner of Lathesmith make beautiful dies for the Star. None better!

Thanks, brain fart...fixed