I know this could well fit into the Cast Bullet forum but since that would reflect the resources and gear available for overseas shooters I thought I'd ask other Aussie guys what they use and what's proved effective.
Here are a few general questions as I'm trying to work out exactly how to begin myself.
What is your lead source.....wheel weights, fishing sinkers, recycled lead from the range, proper ingots from suppliers?
What sort of pot do you use......a special melter like the Lee Production Pot or simply a gas ring and heavy iron saucepan?
Which brand of moulds do you use: Lee, RCBS, Cast Bullet Engineering, etc?
Which cartridges are you loading for?
Do you work outside or inside with good ventilation?
What sort of safety gear do you wear?
Which specific tools/gadgets do you think are very necessary and/or invaluable?
Do you or have you used any hardening techniques; if so which ones and how?
Do you bother with gas checks?
What do you think is the single most important factor when making good cast pills?

I know this could well fit into the Cast Bullet forum but since that would reflect the resources and gear available for overseas shooters I thought I'd ask other Aussie guys what they use and what's proved effective.
Here are a few general questions as I'm trying to work out exactly how to begin myself.
What is your lead source.....wheel weights, fishing sinkers, recycled lead from the range, proper ingots from suppliers?
What sort of pot do you use......a special melter like the Lee Production Pot or simply a gas ring and heavy iron saucepan?
Which brand of moulds do you use: Lee, RCBS, Cast Bullet Engineering, etc?
Which cartridges are you loading for?
Do you work outside or inside with good ventilation?
What sort of safety gear do you wear?
Which specific tools/gadgets do you think are very necessary and/or invaluable?
Do you or have you used any hardening techniques; if so which ones and how?
Do you bother with gas checks?
What do you think is the single most important factor when making good cast pills?


As it's a long & detailed explenation I'll just covr the basics here Mate ! & mail you with a longer explenation

I tend to salvage most of My lead from the Range
like the Lee Production pot
I use all of the above mentioned moulds ,plus a typ that was made localy under the name of Bugg
Every thing I shoot I cast for
Both out side & inside with good ventilation
Glasses & Gloves
I've made up a small timber box that is just the right height to place a mould under the spout of my production pot as I really hate the mould stand that comes with the pot ! I use a plastic ended hammer to tap the mould handles to realise the bullet from the mould
I quench my Bullets in water ( a 2lt Ice cream tub with a spounge in the bottom )
Gas checks for .22,25 & 30 cal rifle

Good bullets ? when ya work it out tell me !!!!!!!! :eek:
Seriously . Preperation ,Practice & Patiance .

Dave

Hi Kombi,
I've used a Lee Production Pot for about 15 years.
Molds are mostly Lee with a couple of RCBS, CBE and Bugg molds.
Lead is scrounged from friends. Old diving belt lead, roof lead flashing and pipe. Most tyre dealers reuse their lead or so they tell me.
Have thousands of .40 cal pistol bullets I can't use now so I recycle them too.
Always cast outside under the veranda with the pot protected from drafts. Eye goggles and leather gloves are a must for me. I use a hardwood hammer handle to tap the sprue.
I reload for my .58 muzzle loader, .32 & .44 lever actions.
Military calibres include .303, 8x56R, .310, 577/450 etc.
Gave up casting for pistol years ago - just could never keep up.
Using .30 & .32 gas checks.
Dave sums it up - patience. It took me quite a while to cast good bullets. Getting the lead temperature correct is a must.

A fun hobby.

Kirby.

The only bullets im casting at the moment are 200gn lead gas checkable 357 bullets.I use them for handgun silhouette.The lead im using is very close to lyman No 2 i think.I have tried the Lee production pot but found it was getting hot or cold because of the difference in current(220v compared to our 240v)the thermostat wasnt working well.I now use a lyman pot and the thermostat is much better.800F to 850f is when the pills are coming out well.Im using marvalux to mix it all together.Used to use bees wax but marvalux is much better.I dont quench the pills,I dont like having water anywhere near the pot.