"Common Cast Bullet Mistakes" Casting 101 Iraqveteran8888 Video #100

[MrGlock55]

what is the best diamater for a cast .45acp bullet

[RoninDelaware]

Im a caster and reloader - good job

[MrOttmandus]

Have you ever tried casting solid copper or brass bullets? I see that those type of bullets are being offered these days

[ELITEHAMSTER123]

@MrOttmandus I wouldnt do it, only because that would cost a lot which is bad when I am trying to save money, brass and copper are insanely hard to melt down and fill up a mold (which would have to be iron, as aluminum would melt. Then comes the problem with iron molds, the cavities rust bad. And if you oil the cavities, you dont get perfectly filled out bullets. So brass and copper bullets would have to be machined on a lathe, not cast. Then on the other hand, even if you do successfully cast

[ELITEHAMSTER123]

brass or copper bullets, they are extremely lighter than lead, so you will have to deal with modifying your loads. Personally I do not think that would be worth the hassle.

[rushymoto]

Very good video, I am about to start casting for the first time today. Don't worry to much about being unemployed. I have found that useful people will all ways be in demand for one task or another. The Useless eaters tend to make up a bulk of the unemployment figures in my area.

[jfranco71]

Really enjoy your channel. Have learned alot. Keep up the knowledge sharing.

[bugnetkeepsbugsout]

now why go and tell him to throw in the towel haha! just kidding , great vid.

[twistedyogert]

Just buy them.

[Pie42795]

@twistedyogert Uh, casting is ALOT cheaper...

[marmaladekamikaze]

Have you tried Bullet swaging?

[cclar14]

can you tell me how to seat the lee microband boolet. am i suppsed to crimp into the top groove like i do a cannelure with a jacketed bullet?

[paulviek]

I prefer bullets that are ever so slightly 'frosted'. This tells me that my mold is the right temperature, and the alloy is too. I usually start out at around 680-690°, and discard the first 20 casts, regardless of how they come out. Then, as the bullets improve, I turn my heat back about 25-30°. I have had runs of 3-400 bullets with only 5-10 rejects.

[sonick808]

@paulviek i've heard frosting means they're too hot... but, i'm going on anecdotal evidence

[normdoty]

@paulviek if your bullets are "frosted" then you are cooling them too fast or the lead/mold is too cool.

frosted means the lead has cooled in a crystallized state. this means the projectile will break-up/crumble when it shouldn't .

please look-up a "cold solder joint" that will explain better about frostie lead.

[ironlionkalo]

why do bullets have lube bands?

[wcxu]

@ironlionkalo To hold the lube so lead doesn't smear in the barrel.

[Takiado]

great video man!

[spitgalore]

Thanks for all the info. Here's to a thousand more videos. Can your liquid nitrogen be used for the lawn?

[Jdlifsey]

I guess we might have to count to 10(?) before whacking the plate to cut of the titties so to make better/cooler bullets

[klesmer]

Dude I can't tell you how much I enjoy your video's. I have been collecting,reloading and shooting for close to 40yrs and in my advanced age have finally discovered casting and old military rifles. I am currently fooling with an SKS and have learned so much from watching your flicks. You can teach an old dog new tricks, it just takes a llittle longer to see results. Keep up the good work Son.

[paraglidermx]

Hey bud,how hot do I need to get my mold?What do I just put it into a flame?Or do I just pour hot lead into it then cast the first round back into the pot??Then the second round should come out bettr..Im not sure of the proper process.How do u kno how hot the lead is...Any help would be app. Thanks Tommy;-)

[nes4ever69]

hey you wouldnt happen to know what would cause a led pot to explode. i was trying to melt some wheel weights and miss cast bullets. i had lead in the pot while it was heating up and right when the lead was all most all melted it exploded. busted up my lee pot. every thing was dry. any ideas, im trying to figure it so i dont get coated with lead again.

[greencheapsk8]

@nes4ever69 Maybe a bit of plastic or rubber superheating?

[Fudd4570]

When I am casting I will get some where my mold didn't close just right and my lube bands are not lined up just right. Can I size them and go ahead and shoot them the nose looks good just slight diffence in the lube bands I got it down how to get it to not do it much 8 bad ones out of 200 good just a few

[Iraqveteran8888]

@Fudd4570 If you are just plinking, you can shoot those, but if they were mine I would just throw them back in and recast them.

[762full]

Can you put small tungsten darts instide the cast and pour in bismuth and lead crating a tungsten/frangible bullet? Will Bismuth bond with the tungsten?

[dills2403]

my prob is with the lee sizer is sizeing it to 307 308 and the sizer is a 309 the mold is 309 its dropping at 309 310 the only reason im sizeing is to install gas checks

[Iraqveteran8888]

Sometimes depending on the alloy you choose, you could have some spring back either way as much as 0.001-0.002" either way. Lyman sells dies for their luberisizers that install only gas checks without altering the diameter of the bullet. They aren't cheap though.

[sfliberal]

You're right, gotta have that alloy temperature hot enough, especially w/ the Lee moulds. Fortunately even newbie casters (like me) figure out pretty fast how to avoid the major mistakes. Thanks for the vid!

@diverguy2583: +1 on the towel in your bucket. That lead's still really hot and soft when it comes out of the mould.

[diverguy2583]

out of 30 bullets casted today i only had 5 that were too deformed to use from partial fills to something that i dont know what happend lol i think it was too hot when i dropped it in the water bucket

and was almost squashed.

[Iraqveteran8888]

@diverguy2583

Try throwing a towel in the bottom of your bucket.

[diverguy2583]

once you get the hang of it... the bullets will turn out very nicely and fast.

im gonna cast some R.E.A.L. bullets today after work.

[Iraqveteran8888]

cool stuff...

[flyboy5062001]

will keep practicing, your videos are very helpful. keep on truckin!

[Iraqveteran8888]

Thanks for the support and Happy Thanksgiving

[flyboy5062001]

I have Lee 175 grain 40 mold. I performed my first cast yesturday.

When It came to weighing the bullets, I found they were 2 to 3 grains +/- of 185 grains....WTF?

[Iraqveteran8888]

For cast bullets that is an acceptable tolerance. Now wiegh them into lots and you are good to go. You can get 1-3 grain differences in the weight just on how tight you hold the mold.

Your mold fillout will also determine those slight weight differences. If the melt isn't hot enough, you could get improper mold fillout. Also, if there isn't enough antimony or tin in the alloy, you might get erratic weights of improper fillout.

[sonick808]

hugely helpful, thanks

[ugabandit7]

I'm in Macon. Where are you in Georgia?

[Iraqveteran8888]

Locust Grove

[disturbedone5009]

When using cast bullets how many rounds can you shoot before fouling becomes a problem? Are there any issues using full power rifle cartridges and cast bullets?

[Iraqveteran8888]

If you use a proper bullet lube and size the bullets properly for the bore you are shooting them from, you should be able to shoot all day with no signs of leading.

My WW2 Colt 1911 will digest about 250 cast rounds at a time with no leading.

250 is the most I've put through it in one sitting. It should be noted that 250 rounds cost me about 25 bucks casting my own...lol

With rifle loads you are going to have limitations. Youll have to gas check them and keep the velocities lower

[disturbedone5009]

Ok. I usually shoot about 100 rounds every time I go so that wouldn't be a problem. I have an M1 Garand. Would I be able to use cast bullets in it?

[Iraqveteran8888]

Many people are still doing a lot of experimenting with cast bullets in semi autos. The problem with the Garand is tat you need quite a quick burning powder and respectible charge to cycle the action. I have heard of people loading cast bullets in the Garand and just using it like a bolt action. The other issue you run into is potentially leading the gas system of the rifle....You would have a bad day trying to replace it or get it clean.

I plan on using on jacketed bullets through the Garnd

[disturbedone5009]

That's what I thought. Getting ammo for the Garand is hard enough but at least now I can find bullets. Powder and primers is the problem.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Where do you live?

[disturbedone5009]

California...

yeah I know.

I don't live inside the lead ban area though. I looked that up and confirmed it with a few of the gun shops in the area.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Man what bullshit. You need to move to Georgia...We'll take you.

[disturbedone5009]

I would move there right now if I could. I was going to move to Oklahoma a few years ago but it didn't happen.

[Iraqveteran8888]

I hear you man. Just hang in there. California is in for a rude awakening as is most of the government. They are over stepping their boundaries and need to be dealt with.

[disturbedone5009]

The thing I am sick of is the same people getting elected over and over again. We finally got a Republican governer but Arnold fell right in line after all of his initiatives got voted down. He signed a bunch of anti-gun rights bills including a pistol ammunition restriction. Each time you buy a box of bullets it is like buying a firearm. You submit a finger print and fill out a form for each box. Not to mention the .50 BMG ban.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Yeah thats complete bullshit, but at least Barrett is paving the way by refusing to do business with the government of California....good for them!

[disturbedone5009]

In all seriousness why does the LAPD need a .50 BMG rifle? Most law enforcement engagements are under 100 yards.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Does law enforcement need M113 tracked troop carriers and BARs? There are so many crazy weapons in law enforcement inventory dude...they have EVERYTHING even if they don't need it. It is bullshit....one LE agency here bought a M113 because it quote "Looked like we meant business"

Barrett makes other fine rifles other than 50 calibers.

[disturbedone5009]

Well when the government decides to suspend our basic rights they need all the protection they can get from the hell it will bring on their heads. That is the only reasonable answer for the militarization of the police forces across the country.

[Iraqveteran8888]

When they TRY

[disturbedone5009]

I think they are doing a pretty good job of grabbing more and more power and people are too oblivious to it. Some even support the government taking control.

[007BRANDEN]

@disturbedone5009 HAVE U HEARD "21 GUN SULUT" BY ACDC WELL THEY WONT LIVE 2 HEAR IT IF THEY DO

[Wireman134]

U back to work yet, good use of your free time.

[Iraqveteran8888]

I'm back to work...thanks for asking.

When I have free time, I do my best not to waste it...LOL.

[USAFWolf]

Good tips, I like it

[Iraqveteran8888]

Your guess is as good as mine. There is a guy on Ebay that sells it pretty reasonable I hear, but I've never dealt with him.

Here in Georgia, beeswax sells for a premium.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Thanks for the support my man and yes, when you are ready, we will do all the above whenever youre ready.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Never been into Blackpowder all that much.

I used my deployment money to buy my dream guitar rig.

I wasn't into handloading at the time, but If I were, I would have gotten all the best stuff.

Right now, money is tight, so lee is the ticket.

[Dp908]

Thanks for the vid. Helped me out because I'm going to start casting soon.

[Iraqveteran8888]

No problem man...glad it helped

[AA550cord]

Great Vid. Keep em coming. Good luck with the job hunt.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Thanks Miles...Take care of yourself.

[RedWhiteandBetrayed]

grats on video 100

[Iraqveteran8888]

Thanks man...

[jameslovesjammie]

When you see a frosted boolit, what you are seeing is the antimony crystalizing on the surface. This in no way affects the performance of the bullet. A pure lead or a lead/tin mix can't frost. Wheelweight alloy can/does.

Wrinkled boolits can also be caused by not cleaning out the cutting oil in a new mould or oil you use to protect/lubricate the mould.

Another great video! You and Harry (RugerSix) are some of the few guys I sub to!

[Iraqveteran8888]

Very good synopsis. I thought I mentioned antimony crystalization but maybe not.

Mold prep is essential...especially with Lee molds. Not knocking them, its just the way it is.

[AA550cord]

You should get on AmmoSmith sub as well.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Im good friends with James

[richsanch74]

congrats on 100 vids. looking forward to the rugersix collaboration, big fan of his vids and yours of course. good luck with the job hunt!!!

[Iraqveteran8888]

Thank you and I hope the collaboration will be a blast! literally.

[Xbones801X]

congrats on 100 videos man. i've had my casting equipment for 2 months now, still cant find any free wheel weights. going to go around again this weekend.

[Iraqveteran8888]

Taylor, I can send you a flat rate box of some of my corn cob ingots if you want them.

[Xbones801X]

maybe some other time, you probably need them more than I do right now. maybe in the future we can trade brass for ingots. =P

[Iraqveteran8888]

Whatever you need...You have my number if you need anything. My stuff is your stuff.

[robin6512]

Yeah SKS.

could you do one for the Chech Vz58 or civil mod Cz858 as a alternative for the Ak47? Keep on going man.

[Iraqveteran8888]

If I could afford one I'd be happy to...Unfortunately, buying new guns in kinda low on the totem pole right now.

It might take a little time, but I plan on doing some cool stuff.

[smaj100]

Iraq, I'm the one who requested the video. Those of us who are learning to cast, this info is really helpful. I really appreciate you taking the time to share with everyone. Keep up the good work. Congrats on the 100th.

[stevestreet01]

Congrats on #100!!! Looking forward to the SKS vids!!!

[Iraqveteran8888]

Thanks a lot. The SKS series is going to be fun. I hope to prove what an accurate platform the SKS really can be up to the practical ranges the cartridge is capable of. It may take some time to complete ultimately, but the end result should be fairly conclusive.

[ECTBWHO]

Beautiful!

[jasonhenson1991]

WHOO! 100 videos. Im really looking towards NAVA week Cast SKS action and theLiquid nitrogen!!!

[Iraqveteran8888]

I want to perfect the liquid nitrogen before I make a video, but it is definately fun to mess with. I'm trying to decide if I want to freeze a few grasshoppers or not. I hate hearing all those PETA morons whine.

[jasonhenson1991]

I hear that! I say do it anyways and disable the comments for the video ;)

[1marlinman2008]

Good vid i also use my frosted bullets if im tumble lubing in alox it helps the lube adhere better and i hope things look up for ya i have a few buds that have been laid off from major buisnesses(like rheem/ruud)due to them movin to mexico to get cheaper labor .times are hard keep tough and keep the vids comin

[Iraqveteran8888]

I haven't tried the Alox yet. I just pan lube all my pistol bullets and shoot them as dropped. I have about a 95 percent success rate without sizing.

I have a few molds on the way for my rifles. Should be fun.

Thanks for the support...The job market is very cut throat right now.

[vlad4video]

Nice, you and riger6, now that should be fun!

[Iraqveteran8888]

Yeah I'm stoked about the project, but it is going to take a while to complete.

I'll have the liquid nitrogen project up before it is complete.

Hopefully, I will be making another string of surplus ammo comparison videos soon...

Surplus ammo is getting tougher to find in quantity.

Thanks for the ongoing support.