Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: nicz on November 13, 2024, 10:01:31 AM

Title: Anyone used the LEE casts to cast their own muzzleloader bullets?
Post by: nicz on November 13, 2024, 10:01:31 AM: I am curious about the range/field results with bullets made at home.
Title: Re: Anyone used the LEE casts to cast their own muzzleloader bullets?
Post by: Rigby416 on November 15, 2024, 09:51:17 PM: Back in the late 80's, early 90's I hunted with TC .54's. The most accurate bullets I found in them were ones I cast in the Lee "Real Bullet" mold & cast in pure lead. If memory serves me right they came out at 370 grains. I used the German caps and 110 grains of ffg black powder. I killed a cow elk with that combo at about 100yds, one shot. It ran approximately 20yds and expired. Based on my limited experience with them on elk, I believe it to be a lethal combo. Hope this helps
Title: Re: Anyone used the LEE casts to cast their own muzzleloader bullets?
Post by: nicz on November 26, 2024, 08:10:25 AM: great, thank you
Title: Re: Anyone used the LEE casts to cast their own muzzleloader bullets?
Post by: chukar58 on November 26, 2024, 08:29:25 AM: You rifle and rate of twist will be a factor in what cast bullets shoot well in your gun. The older Thompson Center rifles were 1 in 48 twist which is a good rate to shoot patched round ball and cast conical bullets. I shoot the TC maxiball over 90 grains of FFG out to 100 yards with decent accuracy. Shooting sabots in the same rifle not as accurate for me. Try different bullets and powder weight and you will see what works for you.
Title: Re: Anyone used the LEE casts to cast their own muzzleloader bullets?
Post by: hunter399 on November 26, 2024, 08:34:45 AM: I've never done it
Don't you cast them ,then run the bullets through a bullet sizing die.

Then when casting I believe you can add stuff to the lead to make it harder or softer.

My experience is limited,since I've never done it myself.
Title: Re: Anyone used the LEE casts to cast their own muzzleloader bullets?
Post by: GWP on November 26, 2024, 09:17:03 AM: Quote from: hunter399 on November 26, 2024, 08:34:45 AM
I've never done it
Don't you cast them ,then run the bullets through a bullet sizing die.

Then when casting I believe you can add stuff to the lead to make it harder or softer.

My experience is limited,since I've never done it myself.

You CAN run them through a sizing die. Depends on the mold (if it drops true) and the actual size the bullet comes out. The lead hardness can also change diameter slightly. The sizer (usually) can also be used to add lube to the grooves while sizing.
If you have a mold that drops small, or a bore that likes a little larger, using powder coat can add a small amount of diameter.
Cast bullets you do your self are no different than the ones you buy in a box on a shelf for the most part. They certainly have dropped a lot of critters over the years.
I don’t think it is as popular as it used to be to cast your own. More equipment, more time spent. Not to mention factory ammo or boxed bullets can be as good or better than home made, which ‘fine tuning’ was and is still is a driving factor to construct your own loads from start to finish.
Title: Re: Anyone used the LEE casts to cast their own muzzleloader bullets?
Post by: boneaddict on November 26, 2024, 10:39:01 AM: Yes, melt wheel weights (back when they were lead, and made bars. Then mix with an alloy and then cast, and then run through a lube. We make lots of rounds for 9mm, 45auto, 30-30, 30-06. Back when the world was coming to an end we stockpiled a bunch of lead, dyes, etc.