bulldog ammo casting, the begining

[cvz6977]

Just got my bulldog...yay. I tried to find what was going to be the best slug to start casting with out breaking the bank for a first time caster. Some helpful info out there but more towards what others are buying (forget the noslers, way to much, the older I get the more..."frugal" I become ) and not what is being cast. So, based on the information I have gleaned, for my first mold I chose a Lee flat nose .357 die that is supposed to cast in .358 at 125 grains. Not entirely sure as to what my particular bulldog will enjoy throwing down range, I also grabbed a sizing die for .357. I know it's not much of a size difference but being my first time casting I'm not sure what to expect. I made a couple hundred rounds out of some pure lead I had laying around while waiting for my gun and 70# lead shipment. They seem to be overall decent but I see areas to improve upon. i hope to get my bulldog mods done this weekend after I set up the 3d printer and maybe do some testing on my first run of slugs. Hoping to be in the 200-225 fpe range. Will test different fill pressures and shot counts after my yong heng arrives...6th of may at the latest. Anyway, not sure if this will end up helping anyone but I will update as I make progress and buy more molds and sizing dies to try.

[chriswannabern]

I will be following because I just recently purchased a bulldog myself.  Thanks for posting.

[T3PRanch]

Add at least 2% Tin for a lot better mold fill out and less prone to oxidize cast bullet. My "Dog" Likes .357 but others vary which I theorize is according to barrel manufacturing lots.

[Ironman482]

My bulldog limes .356 ammo (NSA 110gr ) I started with .355gr but the accuracy was not great got a sampler Pac from nsa 4 different  weights in .356 ,haven't tested the 120gr yet but I bet they will shoot great.where did you get your sizing die, I have 200 .355 I would like to resize too 356 .good luck with your casting .I have no experience with casting so I can't  help in that department.

[Gut2Fish]

The Bulldog is a 9 mm not .357 so .355/.356 should be in range of what the barrel likes. Some people buy smaller and open them up to exact size they want. It doesn't take much to change a few .001" and make them larger.

[cvz6977]

So far my bulldog is shooting the 125 flat nose at about 225 fpe for 5 shots on a 2900 psi fill. They are sized at .358, straight out of the mold. One hole at 30 yards but start to open up at 50 and are about 2.5 - 3" at 100 yards. I only have one sizer right now for .357 but hope to get others soon. Just got a couple more molds the other day. A 140 grain so wadcutter and a 150 grain round nose. Both in .358.  I cast about 100 of each but have yet to test them. By this weekend I should have some data.

[Jason Phipps]

pictures of your dogs please ?

[DrillDog]

So far my bulldog is shooting the 125 flat nose at about 225 fpe for 5 shots on a 2900 psi fill. They are sized at .358, straight out of the mold. One hole at 30 yards but start to open up at 50 and are about 2.5 - 3" at 100 yards. I only have one sizer right now for .357 but hope to get others soon. Just got a couple more molds the other day. A 140 grain so wadcutter and a 150 grain round nose. Both in .358.  I cast about 100 of each but have yet to test them. By this weekend I should have some data.

.358 can be used in the Bulldog, but it will be a bit tight (you will need a .358 sizer). I use it mostly for the first 5 shots just in case. It could jam sometimes. Not a big deal when you have a single shot-tray; just push from the other side and it will come out. We used to make that same swc, but it will drag its bands way too much; nevertheless, you may have a different experience with your barrel; also it depends if you go close to pure lead (softer); we don't.

If with a 125 gr. slug you get 225 fpe in your Bulldog, while still in its factory condition, then you are ahead in the game.

2.5 inches at 100 yards with the Bulldog is not bad.

Here some factory chrono: http://www.drilldogbigborepellets.com/p/bulldog357aliberspeedpressureenergy.html

[DrillDog]

The Bulldog is a 9 mm not .357 so .355/.356 should be in range of what the barrel likes. Some people buy smaller and open them up to exact size they want. It doesn't take much to change a few .001" and make them larger.

My barrel is .357 - .357.5. It depends of your rifle, etc.

[DrillDog]

The Bulldog is a 9 mm not .357 so .355/.356 should be in range of what the barrel likes. Some people buy smaller and open them up to exact size they want. It doesn't take much to change a few .001" and make them larger.

My barrel is .357 - .357.5. It depends of your rifle, etc. Unless you are sure your barrel is actually .355, then I do not recommend using it. It will fly fast, but not too accurate. I have not heard a Bulldog with a .355 bore, but anything can happen at close doors in a factory, with different lots, etc.