Author Topic: Newby on the block... well, to casting anyways. (Read 37004 times))

avator · « **on:** March 30, 2023, 03:25:40 PM »

I recently sold a gun which put airgun money in the kitty.
I have plenty of airguns in all platforms that satisfy anything I want to point at and shoot.
So I'm thinking... what would be the most sensible and beneficial thing to add to my airgun experience?
Enter casting...
Since I retired at the end of last year I have more time on my hands than things to do to fill that time. I have also entered the world of fixed income.. don't get me wrong, we live comfortably and nobody is going hungry but, we've made adjustments to insure that. No more buying 3 guns a month and a pickup truck load of pellets to feed them.
Why not cast my own pellets? Save some money and never run into the dreaded "currently out of stock" message.... not to mention the trashed tins that were poorly packed and kicked to my house instead of delivered.
So I'm here to gather info, advice and suggestions on what and where to buy it based on what I want to do.

avator · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2023, 03:44:10 PM »

Goals...
I have .177, .20, .22 and .25 guns.
In .177:
Several guns that all shoot the standard 10.x pellets well. I have a very good inventory of those and they are common to source at fair pricing... not an issue.
In .20:
I have 3 .20 Sheridans that we don't shoot nearly as often as we used to and I have literally 1000s on hand... not an issue.
.22 and .25:
Here is where I can benefit...
All my .22 guns shoot virtually the same pellets well.. same with my .25 guns. These are also the pellets I have the most problems sourcing..... out of stock, price increase, poor packing... on and on and on. It's, IMO, the biggest downside to airgunning.
I want to take all these junk pellets I have around here, melt them down and turn them into usable ammo that my guns like. And I'm confident I can do that with a couple moulds in each caliber.
I want a 19gr dome in .22 and a 24ish gr HP DM slug (the Urban loves those).
In .25 I want a 28ish gr dome and a 34ish gr dome. All in 3 or 4 pellet drops.
The pot...
I don't need a 20 pounder.. I think a 10# would do me fine... unless y'all convince me otherwise

I'm up in the air about bottom fill or ladle type (dip)... that's kinda why I'm here.
I also think I'll need a hotplate.

avator · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2023, 03:48:05 PM »

Budget... $200 - $300 Would that do it?

Also I have a question...
A while back I bought 25# of #8 shot to refill shot shells for my Crosman Trapmaster. Can this shot be melted and cast into pellets? Would it work to mix with standard pellet lead?

James340 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2023, 04:39:27 PM »

Quote from: avator on March 30, 2023, 03:48:05 PM

Budget... $200 - $300 Would that do it?

Also I have a question...
A while back I bought 25# of #8 shot to refill shot shells for my Crosman Trapmaster. Can this shot be melted and cast into pellets? Would it work to mix with standard pellet lead?

I don't cast for airguns but have been casting for 25 years.Shot is hard it has Antimony.It will say right on the bag.I think you want pure lead or maybe 10/1 lead to tin ratio.salvage yard is a good place to look but pellets are so light new alloy would not be to expensive.A company Roto metals is a seller

Madd Hatter · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2023, 04:43:25 PM »

I use a 10lb pot and have never felt the need for a bigger one. Wayne's method made me a good caster pretty quickly. It covers IMHO a lot of casting mistakes inexperienced casters make. A hot plate is a help in maintaining mold temperature but most times I just leave it sitting on the rim of the pot. As far as using the shot I was told it won't work. I wish it would as I have about 20lbs of number 7.5 shot.

brewbear · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2023, 04:44:30 PM »

From my limited experience, I bought the #10 bottom pour melter and used it for about 4 months. As soon as I found the #20 bottom pour melter on sale I bought it. Reason? When you get into the swing of things, that 5-6 lb of lead (you never fill the melter to the top-at least I don't) gets used pretty fast. Moulds.... that will be your biggest expense, try and get at least one set of handles from NOE with the moulds.
Of course, this setup puts you at the head of the class. The less costly alternative is a pour ladle and a cast iron pot. PM me if you want a pour ladle.

BSJ · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2023, 05:29:28 PM »

Casting is its own rabbit hole. Don't get into it thinking you will save money.

Just like airgus, there is always the next thing to buy. The good stuff cost...

Unless you have a lot of free pure lead you will have to pay for it and the shipping.

Molds are not inexpensive.

Get into because you want to get into casting.

EdinGa · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2023, 06:00:44 PM »

I would buy the NOE 217-20-RF and the 250—27—RF first. Those two will keep you shooting in both calibers and both are accurate in my guns. Get the 4 cavity molds. Trust me on this. I don't cast in long sessions so I mostly use a 4lb pot and the Lyman ladle. I have 2 10lb bottom pour pots and I've never felt limited with them either. I cast bullets up to 500 grains too. It really depends on how much time you have to and cast.

I'm not a novice caster, and I find the ladle much easier to master when it comes to these small projectiles. Wayne's method produces great results for me.

avator · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2023, 06:07:49 PM »

Thanks guys..
So, I made my first purchase..
I bought the LEE 10# bottom pour pot from Bass Pro for $89.

Eddie.... thank you, those 2 moulds sound like just what I'm looking for.

BB... incoming PM

Nvreloader · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2023, 06:37:31 PM »

Bill
I have this 25 cal mold, I bought 2 by mistake............

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/bullet-moulds/251/250-27-rf-cc3-hunter-pellet/250-27-rf-cc3-4-cavity-hb-hunter-pellet/, your price $145.00 and I'll pay the shipping to you.

This mold is Brand new, never used or assembled, will have my finger prints on it.......LOL
Tia,
Don

avator · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2023, 06:41:56 PM »

Don.... incoming PM.

Nvreloader · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2023, 06:55:50 PM »

Got it and replied............

Thanks,
Don

avator · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2023, 07:26:01 PM »

I'm glad you guys are the ones replying to this thread...
You guys, and a few others, are exactly the experience i wanted to hear from.

Ain't this a great place to be?

maraudinglizard · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2023, 08:02:18 PM »

Ingot mold and handles are a must for sure. Titan Reloading for those items. Borax from the store for the flux, 20 mule brand.

https://www.titanreloading.com/product-category/lee-precision-reloading-equipment/lee-mold-and-melter-accessories/

Nvreloader · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2023, 08:16:35 PM »

maraudinglizard
Kris,
Thanks for that link, the Lee mold handles 6 Cav are the cheapest I seen in a long while.
Thank You,
Don

Nvreloader · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2023, 08:17:53 PM »

Bill
ML post as cheaper mold handles..............

Don

Madd Hatter · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2023, 08:20:41 PM »

Quote from: avator on March 30, 2023, 06:07:49 PM

Thanks guys..
So, I made my first purchase..
I bought the LEE 10# bottom pour pot from Bass Pro for $89.

Eddie.... thank you, those 2 moulds sound like just what I'm looking for.

BB... incoming PM

The noe .25 pellet is the most accurate out of my sentry. Hope it's 1 of the molds that will give you the full .256 or .257 diameter skirt.

avator · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2023, 08:29:46 PM »

Thanks... handles ordered.

avator · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2023, 08:31:20 PM »

Matt (Insanity) should be by shortly...
I think this exact pellet is one of the samples of pellets that he casts... if so, they work great in my .25 guns.

Firewalker · « **Reply #19 on:** March 30, 2023, 09:19:45 PM »

Bill,

You have a really good start!

Now, no getting mad at me but this is the best price I have seen on pure lead and, yes, you need pure lead.

https://www.rotometals.com/whole-lead-pig-ingot-57-62-pounds-99-9/

OR: Get it with frees shipping (My Fav)

https://www.rotometals.com/cut-in-half-lead-pig-ingot-57-62-pounds-99-9-with-freight-included/

Thank you to our advertisers!

Newby on the block... well, to casting anyways.

Author Topic: Newby on the block... well, to casting anyways. (Read 37004 times))