After continuing to read this casting forum, yall have caused me to cash in all my Christmas gift certificates and order a whole new complete bullet casting setup, Lee Production pot, 6 sets of Lee molds, and 3 Lee bullet sizers. I figured if I was going to get back into casting, I would not fool with a gas burner, lead pot and dipper anymore. Now I can cast in the comfort of my shop. I have always had good luck with Lee molds so I decided to stay with them. Now who wants to take responsibility for this so when my wife asks about all the new stuff I will have someone to blame.:rolleyes:

Since you are married, you know darn well that even if something as random happened as a meteorite falling through your roof, it would somehow be all your fault. I know my own wife has that down to a science. So the blame is all on you.

I will point out that if you are going to cast indoors, you need to add an inside-to-out ventilating fan and at least an improvised bench hood to your list. If you think the wife will want someone to blame when she sees the gear arrive, just you wait until she gets a whiff of molten flux.

And, welcome back into the fold.

When I built my shop a couple of years ago, I put a window over one end of my workbench that can be equipped with a small fan for when I am painting. This should work perfectly if I place my lead pot there also when I cast. I wasn't thinking of casting bullets when I did this but I am glad I did it.

Good for you jodum. I've been casting for a long time with that Lee equipment with great results. Have to say I've put thousands of pounds of lead thru one and if it ever dies I'm putting another one just like it back on the bench. Take a look at Ranch Dogs molds for the big bore rifles.

Here's my setup.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Reloading/Castingbench.jpg

I went to Ranchdogs website and looked at his products the other day. I will be ordering a set of his 432-265 molds shortly for my 444. I have gotten back into a lot more shooting lately and I have always liked big bore lead bullets. Bullet casting also gives me another reason to spend time in the gun shop. I used to do a lot of casting especially wadcutters when I was policeing and shoting lots of matches. Busy family life ate up most of my play time for a number of years. But now the kids are grown and gone and I again have some spare time. (between honeydo's)

I ended up being given a Taurus Ultra-light 38 special snubby for a carry gun last year and have been casting Lee's tumble lube wadcutters for it. They shoot great just tumble lubed and loaded without sizing. Sure fun and that little 2 inch snubby is accurate and fun to shoot at short ranges.

I got out of the handgun hunting a couple of years ago, just to crippled up to chase deer and black bear up mountain sides anymore so the big Super Redhawk 44 mags went to some younger fellas. I still cast for and shoot a Taurus Tracker 41 mag and am using Lee's 210 grain tumble lube bullet as cast for it also.

If you get a chance take a look at Lee's new reloading manual. He's developed some really nice ways to look at reduced power and cast bullet loads along with Hodgen. It's worth the 15 bucks for that info alone.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Reloading/Leemeltpotandmolds.jpg

I was wondering about Lee's tumble lube bullets and how good they were. Glad to know they shoot well without sizing. One less step makes life easier.

Jodum,

Dittos on the .38 Tumble Lube wadcutters. I found they cut the group sizes from my .38 Special Smith K-frame target revolver in half, as compared to commercial match WC ammunition. As a result, I bought one of Lee's 6-cavity molds to get adequate production, and haven't looked back. Since then I got their .32 wadcutters (no longer available, I'm afraid) 200 grain .45 SWC's, 230 grain Truncated Cone, 230 grain RN, and the 300 grain semi-truncated cone boattail custom design I did that is illustrated in my avatar. All in Tumble Lube 6-cavity molds. Tumble Lube is a great design concept and the 6-cavity mold is a good design.


Bob,

Did you raid a tin factory or something? Those bullets look awfully shiny.

I am sorry that I was thoughtless and didn't go into greater detail concerning my experiments with making pistol brass into bullet jackets. I've been "Smithing" as a sideline for 37 years now and I've never been one to go all-out and explain my methods. In the event that some of you decide to rebore your mold to one of my configurations: please bolt a milling vice to the table of your drillpress (centering the mold), and start with a smaller drillbit or endmill and work your way up in small increments until you have what you are looking for! I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. SWAMPY

Well I got all my new Lee casting equipment set up. I had forgotten how much fun this was. The new Lee production pot sure is a lot easier than the old lead pot and dipper. I don't make near as much mess. I am glad I sold my sizer-lubricater because the tumble method is so much more efficient and doesn't take up bench space. Now I just have to start getting more molds. Thanks for all the tips.

Could any of you gentlemen advise me as to how I can stop my 2 Lee lead melters from dripping hot lead ? I clean the spout properly before I use the pot , use only 99.9% pure lead ingots , and tin ingots both bought direct from the Smelter , and I still get splashed . Dont have major problems with my Lyman pot . Looks like it may be a Lee problem . Thanks .