weekend cast bullet tests

[rustybayonet]

Finally got out to shoot my cast bullets. 20 rds lead lubed

20 rds coated with enamel open bottoms

20 rds coated with enamel all around

20 rds powder coated all around

I used pure lead just to keep the testing on the coating. These were 125gr. 9mm. Enamel paint was baked on.

Lubed lead: smokey

Enamel lead bottom: just as smokey

Enamel full paint: not bad at all. Problem is that the coating is thicker than the powder coat and needs to be seated deeper.

Powder coat: really nice, pretty much the same as the hightech coating. 

I was at an indoor range with a good vent system, so I didn't notice any smell.

I wish they would start a casting section here.

[moonman16]

Try the CAST BOOLITS Forum, they have pages upon pages of the different coating processes and results. The whole forum is also chocked full of CASTING INFO.

 

[rustybayonet]

9 hours ago, moonman16 said:

Try the CAST BOOLITS Forum, they have pages upon pages of the different coating processes and results. The whole forum is also chocked full of CASTING INFO.

 

Yes, I stop by there a lot. I noticed there were casters here and thought I would post some results.

[noylj]

Why would a thicker coating need a deeper seating? It can't be more than 0.003" thicker, and that is within COL variation any way.

[rustybayonet]

32 minutes ago, noylj said:

Why would a thicker coating need a deeper seating? It can't be more than 0.003" thicker, and that is within COL variation any way.

With the shape of the bullet r1 rn at my seating depth the differance in coating thickness runs in to the groves. I try to max oal to keep the jump from case to rifleing minimum.

[DKnoch]

Is casting your own bullets worth the time investment for the money saved? Are your bullet weights consistent between runs?

Daniel K

[earplug]

Casting your own bullets is fun economical and better then watching the TUBE

[rustybayonet]

On Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 5:52 PM, noylj said:

Why would a thicker coating need a deeper seating? It can't be more than 0.003" thicker, and that is within COL variation any way.

With the shape of the bullet r1 rn at my seating depth the differance in coating thickness runs in to the groves. I try to max oal to keep the jump from case to rifleing minimum.

[rustybayonet]

16 hours ago, DKnoch said:

Is casting your own bullets worth the time investment for the money saved? Are your bullet weights consistent between runs?

Daniel K
 

The biggest investment is time.

1000 9mm coated bullets best price $70

Lead price varies from free to $1 a pound if you look around

Pewter resale shops and garage sales cheap

Lee melt pot $60

9mm mold on ebay $30

Lee swage die $30

Toaster oven $20

Powder coat $6 per 16 oz. at harbor frieght, and use a tbl spoon per batch.

Acetone $7 per qt. Again very small amounts per batch.

I do black powder and sinker casting so I already had the pot, ladel, ingot mold and turkey cooker to purifie the lead.

I use my 1980's rcbs rock chucker for swaging.

So, yes there is investment, but I figured after 3000 bullets I'm in the green.

P.S. I work in the industrial trade so the weld gloves were free!