Castageddon is about to commence.

Had my wife mail me my RCBS lead pot and hot plate here in Afghanistan. Been picking up splatter off the steel plates. Once the weather gets nice again I could mine the berm. Once melted down to ingots, FRB back home :D

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CD
Sweet...rock on brother. And be safe.
 
I cleaned up some moulds last night, mostly Lee 2 cavs that i had been experimenting with (why do I continue to buy them lmao) but I had left out my vintage Ideal Lyman 452460 2-cav and it rusted lightly. So pulled it all apart and threw it in the vinegar bath (probably made some Lead Acetate, but...idk) for an hour, then in the PB blaster soak for another 15 mins then scrubbed it. Looks like new again, and I need to get to casting. This week would be perfect for it before the rain falls....

Just can't get into the groove even though I got lead backed up and ingots just waiting. I really want my own shop instead of using my overcrowded garage. It's coming, the sweet taste of my own space :D
 
Dang! How many hours have you got into it at this point? I've got enough ingots to do 35k rounds right now and am trying to plan for how much time that will take.
 
Dang! How many hours have you got into it at this point? I've got enough ingots to do 35k rounds right now and am trying to plan for how much time that will take.
Takes me 2 hours to cast about 1400-1500 rounds. Honestly, the brass molds I use are heavy and wear my arms out. I usually cast that much then take a break. I'd say 3000-4500 rounds is all I could do on a day off without doing too much. I like to cast at night when its cold so I can bundle up in case of a mishap.
 
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Can you post a picture of your tire setup ? The "pour one, fills one" with the dirt has me wondering. I'd like to see that, please. Always looking for ideas !!
Thanks!
 
Can you post a picture of your tire setup ? The "pour one, fills one" with the dirt has me wondering. I'd like to see that, please. Always looking for ideas !!
Thanks!
When I get a day off Monday or Tuesday I'll snap a pic or two.
 
Can you post a picture of your tire setup ? The "pour one, fills one" with the dirt has me wondering. I'd like to see that, please. Always looking for ideas !!
Thanks!
Not going to get any time off when the sun is up till the weekend.

Let me say, I have six columns of tires...with 5-6 stacked up on each column. They are filled with dirt from the berm. I make a frame out of wood...2Ă—6 or something similar, to which I staple hardware cloth to. This sifter is big enough to hang over the edges of my wheel barrel. I sift the first column out into my wheel barrel, and empty the loose dirt on a tarp at the other end of the tires. After I empty the first column, i replace the tires if I need to. I start with one tire on the ground, and place the sifter on it. Then I begin sifting the next column into the first. When I get enough bullets, I start melting them down nearby while working. I work my way down the row, until I get to the last column of tires, and then just stack them with the dirt left over on the tarp.
Is it hard work...yes. But, it gets me out of the house in the winter. Did I mention I detest being inside when the suns out? I'll do 2 or 3 columns a day as tine permits.
Just use waterproof gloves. Any lead you fond coated in a white substance is toxic.
 
Lol !

I appreciate the explanation, it makes perfect sense on how you arranged it. I may try something out like that once I retire.
Thanks !!
 
Cold cold day is good for casting.

Achievement unlocked: 35,000 bullets.
Sitting on 673 lbs since Christmas day. At 133-134 gr, thats right around 35,150.
Pics later and final talley.
 
I like the vent, what are you using for a fan?
 
My man is a true castaholic @Starkherz199

I need to get off my ass. I really like those sterilite containers with the little side handles. Can I buy them anywhere else besides WalNutzMart?
 
I like the vent, what are you using for a fan?
Let me add that its an 8 inch duct fan, but the duct is reduced to 6 inches after the fan. So theres an 8 inch hole in the window, and the opening over the pot is only 6 inches.
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Ok, so @Starkherz199 's set up is impressive... and intimidating!

@Combat Diver 's, on the other hand, is just Bubba enough to be inspiring. :)

I've been collecting some bits & pieces, may have to engage in the sincerest form of flattery of you guys soon.
Rock on. Always welcome a new caster.
 
Incredible! I've got a Lee 20 lb pot and about 300 lb of ingots that I've retrieved from a berm at my range. Was gonna trade lead for shot gun reloading shot but the deal never happened. Thinking of getting into casting but don't know where to start. I've cast some miniballs , but bullets with sizing and lubricating and getting the proper hardness is a bit intimidating. Your box o' boolits is very inspirational.
 
Incredible! I've got a Lee 20 lb pot and about 300 lb of ingots that I've retrieved from a berm at my range. Was gonna trade lead for shot gun reloading shot but the deal never happened. Thinking of getting into casting but don't know where to start. I've cast some miniballs , but bullets with sizing and lubricating and getting the proper hardness is a bit intimidating. Your box o' boolits is very inspirational.
Bahamadon,

Pick up a copy of Lymans Bullet Casting. Bullet hardness is dependent on use/velocity of bullet. There is also adding a gas check to achieve higher velocity without leading. Lots of good information over at Cast Boolits.com

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php

https://www.lymanproducts.com/cast-bullet-handbook-4th-edition

CD
 
Thanks so much CD. Santa gave me some cash for Christmas, maybe i will invest in a few casting toys. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Stay aware.
 
Incredible! I've got a Lee 20 lb pot and about 300 lb of ingots that I've retrieved from a berm at my range. Was gonna trade lead for shot gun reloading shot but the deal never happened. Thinking of getting into casting but don't know where to start. I've cast some miniballs , but bullets with sizing and lubricating and getting the proper hardness is a bit intimidating. Your box o' boolits is very inspirational.
Im up to 3 boxes now.
65lbs a box...126gr bullets.
 
Update...since the day after Christmas start
Currently sitting at between 16-17,000.
Ahead of schedule even though the unusually warm weather has limited me.
 
37,000. Ahead of schedule.

Technically already at 40,000.

I've casted 669 lbs of 126 gr 9mm, 25 lbs of 235 gr 30 cal for 300blk, and 61 lbs of 158 gr 9mm.
Thats 37,000+ 126gr 9mm
2700+ 158gr 9mm
700+ 235gr 300blk.
Conservatively 40,400 bullets.
Pics to come after the 126gr hit 40k.
 
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