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- Jan 1, 2010
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When I get the flintlock I'm planning on, I plan to shoot it every range trip (37 range trips last year), and of course a few times hunting.
So as part of my planning for the flintlock, I started looking at the price of bullets and found everything but RB to be remarkably expensive.
So I did the research, found out where I can get soft lead for in split ingots, ~57 lbs for $83.00 freight included, molds, and a new furnace. After doing the math (~30 .54CAL RB's per pound, or 16 Lyman Great Plains per pound), amortizing the cost of the equipment after less than 5,000 rounds I'd be ahead even on round ball bullets, and way ahead on conicals. After that, round ball would effectively be about half the cost of commercially made ones, and 450g Lyman GP bullets would cost ~10.5 cents each.
My dad cast everything he shot out of his civil war musket and his Pennsylvania rifle, I remember it as being an enjoyable process. I certainly enjoy my time at the bench reloading my centerfire ammo (~3,000 rounds a year). I could look forward to casting bullets. I'd probably start casting the bullets for my .45 single actions while I was at it.
So my questions:
Do you cast your own bullets?
Does my cost analysis reflect your experience?
If so, what melting pot do you use? I am looking at the top of the line Lee which is on sale locally.
Where do you get your lead if you buy it online? I found a place that will sell 53 - 57 lb ingots for $83.00 including freight. They also offer various alloys specifically for bullet casting.
Is wheel weight lead too hard for muzzleloaders?
I will doubtless get the Lyman book on bullet casting and read it before melting the first pound of lead, but I'd be interested in any hints and tips that showed up as well.
Thanks
Fitch
So as part of my planning for the flintlock, I started looking at the price of bullets and found everything but RB to be remarkably expensive.
So I did the research, found out where I can get soft lead for in split ingots, ~57 lbs for $83.00 freight included, molds, and a new furnace. After doing the math (~30 .54CAL RB's per pound, or 16 Lyman Great Plains per pound), amortizing the cost of the equipment after less than 5,000 rounds I'd be ahead even on round ball bullets, and way ahead on conicals. After that, round ball would effectively be about half the cost of commercially made ones, and 450g Lyman GP bullets would cost ~10.5 cents each.
My dad cast everything he shot out of his civil war musket and his Pennsylvania rifle, I remember it as being an enjoyable process. I certainly enjoy my time at the bench reloading my centerfire ammo (~3,000 rounds a year). I could look forward to casting bullets. I'd probably start casting the bullets for my .45 single actions while I was at it.
So my questions:
Do you cast your own bullets?
Does my cost analysis reflect your experience?
If so, what melting pot do you use? I am looking at the top of the line Lee which is on sale locally.
Where do you get your lead if you buy it online? I found a place that will sell 53 - 57 lb ingots for $83.00 including freight. They also offer various alloys specifically for bullet casting.
Is wheel weight lead too hard for muzzleloaders?
I will doubtless get the Lyman book on bullet casting and read it before melting the first pound of lead, but I'd be interested in any hints and tips that showed up as well.
Thanks
Fitch