Gents,
I have a Lyman manual on order that is supposed to be a good source of info on cast bullet loading. I'm a bit impatient, and have a few questions. Feel free to laugh:o

1) The material that fills the grooves that run the circumference of the bullet, is that the lube, is there a difference in colors, and do I ned to add more before firing?

2) Before I buy bullets, I'd like to get the diameter of the barrel. Where can I get a lead slug to ram through the barrel??

3) I've seen some bullets $60.00/1000 and some $20.00/50. Is this a difference of manufacturing costs for size and make-up consistency? or is it more some bullets for fun and gun and others for hunting?

Thanks for your time

EMC2

Yes, it's the lube that's in the lube groove. Color is a case of dye or the ingredients. Orange Magic actually smells like oranges, and the moly lubes are black. On the other hand, some lubes are clear without a dye.

Some pour-on lubes coat the entire bullet and any lube groove isn't filled. If it's a lube that should go in the groove, the groove should be filled. Sometimes the lube gets shaken out during shipping and relubing may be necessary. If the grooves are full, just load them and shoot them.

I've used muzzleloader balls and buckshot, depending on bore size, to slug barrels. There's an article on using fishing sinkers on the Beartooth site.

As for cost, some bullets are machine cast and lubed by the thousands. The soft swaged bullets that Speer and Hornady sell are mass produced too. Some large bullets are hand-cast one at a time and this is labour intensive. Then there's the matter of quality control. I got into casting because the locally cast commercial bullets were atrocious, but I still have a very hard time matching Beartooth's quality.

Bye
Jack

We need to know what you need cast bullets for? Pistol, Rifle, Black Powder etc. What you intend to use it for IE: hunting, target ... Do you plan on casting your own? To clear my point , I just got into lead bullets, and there is a lot to digest, you are on your way with the Lyman book.
Jim

Thank you.

Looking to purchase pre-cast bullets for:
My Marlin 1895 in 45/70 for hunting, Marlin 1894CB in .45 Colt for target and fun, and if I ever get my pistol license in the Democratic Republic of Nassau County, a Ruger SBH in 45 Colt. And, if I like it enough, for my Marlin 336 in .35 Rem.


Next Question:

If I purchase bullets with a gas check and lube applied, do I need to have lube and tool on hand to re-apply (as Jack mentioned above that sometimes they corrode or fall out)

And, cowboy action bullets are not lubricated because the lower velocities don't foul as badly???

Thank you for your patience
EMC2

You can get the Lee Alox bullet lube to apply to the bullets if you don't think there's enough of the mfg's stuff in the grooves. Just get a cottage cheese cup/bowl/container put some bullets in, squeeze some of the Alox over them (small amount goes a long way) and swish them around in the container a bit. Pick the slippery little rascals out, place them base down on a sheet of foil in a cookie tin and let dry for 24 hrs. Will have all the lube you'll need. Don't wipe any excess off until they are seated in the case.

ANY cast bullet should be lubed to assist in anti-leading. If your CB action firearm has the slightest imperfection in the bore, lead will quickly collect, no matter what the velocity.

Some folks don't use gas checks for low velocity bullets - in fact, some have a slightly hollow base to expand in the bore. I always use GC's just to help keep the leading down a bit.

Look into getting a Lyman M expander die for the calibers you plan on loading. It flares the case mouth a little over the bullet diameter to ensure that the case mouth doesn't shave the base of the bullets. Be warned, once you start loading lead, the desire to start casting your own becomes very strong. I am just finishing getting set up to cast my own for 357 mag, I should begin production early next week

I would suggest you get a bottle of Lee Liquid Alox regardless. I lube my bullets with a hard lube then use Lees on them. I have never had any leading of my bore since doing this step. The Alox lubes all of the bullet,not just the grooves. This insures that every part of the bullet bearing on the bore has some lube on it. It is good stuff and I am sold on it.