WHY does nobody cast there own bullets/Pellets?

[dave1911]

Hello all...
I don't know why this is not the number one topic.
​I have a large bore gun and do not want to pay ridiculous prices for .356 pellets/bullets and want to cast my own.

​Can anyone tell me about a good multi bullet cast mold?

Thank you.
Dave

 

[T3PRanch]

I use Lee and RCBS molds for my Bulldog. I also use Lee molds for my .457 Texan. I use NOE, Lyman and Arsenal Molds for my .25's. NOE has an entire line of molds for airguns designed by Bob Sterne

Some of my molds have been sent to Hollow Point Services to be modified for Extreme Hollow Point's (Expensive).

I also use cast and swaged from Neilson Specialty Ammo and Cast for my Texan from High Arc Hunter. They are both reasonably priced and good products.

Thurmond

 

[dave1911]

Thank you so much Thurmond !!

​I had all but given up on this topic...,I will most defiantly start out with your recommendation for the lee molds.
So what gr bullet & type do you find most efficient in the .356?

​Dave

 

[blackdiesel]

When I had big bore guns, I always got my molds from Accurate or NOE molds. Both have a large inventory of molds for airguns. At Accurate you can pick your design and have them build it to your specifications. Bob Sterne over at GTA design many molds for airguns that NOE sells.

 

[T3PRanch]

I am using the Lee 358-125 RF 5 cavity but it has been converted to a Hollow Point mold. I size using NOE push through sizer to .357. These work great in my Bulldog at 100 yards. Be aware if you have a Bulldog that the barrels can be inconsistent between batches meaning your gun may not like what my gun does. I found this out when testing some 95 grain swaged hollow points from Nick Nielsen. My Gun loves .357 but hates .356 (both work at close range but the .356's open up at longer ranges). I also use these in my recluse with great results.
NOE is a better solution IMHO since they are designed for Air Guns. Bob's Boattail designs are quite good.

Dave check out http://noebulletmolds.com/smf/index.php and http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forum.php

The GTA forum has a number of casters as well.

Thurmond

 

[dave1911]

Thank you both so much Thurmond and Blackdiesel, for your insight and great info.

​Thurmond, the info about my barrel is very good to know...I will defiantly shoot both .357 & .356 out of my gun before I decide on a mold.
​Does your Bulldog's barrel mic out .357 or .356 ? or something in-between?
I don't know if this is a short-cut ,but if there the same size I'll start out at .357.

​Thank you again for the help and time, I have allready saved the links you shared to my favorites .

Dave

 

[T3PRanch]

Nick Nielsen has Bobs Boat Tail's Hollow Point in on his site that I tried before committing to purchasing a mold! You can get them as cast or have them sized.
Contrary to standard practice I have not slugged my barrel or mic'ed it either. I just measured the OD of the 6 Nosler rounds included with my Bulldog and went from there.

Thurmond

 

[cernunnos]

I cast .22 slugs for the Huben in a MP molds mold. An 8 cavity mold makes some way!
About1/3 the cost of cheap bought pellets for top notch, not counting my time.

 

[dave1911]

Thank you again Thurmond,
I just ordered the NOE push though sizing die,great idea! 
​And thank you cernunnos, I will visit the MP mold site.

 

[DanWho]

How do I get in contact with Nick Nielson to see about getting some of his bullets?