On the subject of molds, don't forget that there are also commercial companies, like Lyman (a Connecticut company), who make molds and tools for casting. Their iron molds are very durable, and cost effective. I'm making some gas checked 44 caliber (220 grain SWC), their mold 429215 (bullet drops at a weight of 215 grains, but when you add gas check and lube, it's at 220 grains. I shoot that in a Contender 10" bull barrel single shot pistol at steel targets at 250 feet away, and hit a 1" spot with ease! Open sights. Those molds make very accurate projectiles (bullets).
The point is.............. casting your own bullets doesn't mean a drop in the quality of what you are shooting. It's at least equivalent to what you already load now.
It's merely a chance, for those who are careful with our costs, to DRAMATICALLY reduce the cost of shooting. Remember.... the BULLET is always THE MOST EXPENSIVE component, and it's the one that most of you just throw away.
In my world, I am always scrounging lead. I try to make my lead supply
COST be as close to zero cost as I can. Yes, there's the cost of propane and electricity for processing it. But, I am always mining the shooting berms, trading surplus brass for lead, etc. I have supplies of dead soft lead, raw and processed wheel weights, and lines of type (linotype). Those are the lead ingredients that allow you to custom blend the alloy for the bullets to match the velocity performance for the gun.
That reminds me... One of the great door prizes is to have someone print up, bind, and give away a free copy of Glen Fryxell's Book, "From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners ".......... It's a great guide to casting information. I gave one away at a previous workshop.
The book is free to all, for the downloading:
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm
or, in pdf format, if you prefer:
http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_textonly2.pdf
The beginners should feel comfortable that if they merely show up with the raw lead, supplies, tools, etc will be on hand to make the workshop training a complete day. You'll do it all, hands on, by the end of the day. That's the best way to learn.
You'll do it, and know how the safety things are done. What you need to get, buy, or make, and what you don't need. Lots of ways to save $$$ when casting. You'll know how to identify the various types of lead that you'll use (I have a sample box from the last workshop that I can ship), how to select and use the "smelting" equipment. How to select a melting pot, and tools, including molds. How to prepare molds and keep them safe. Lubing and Sizing are also steps that will be demonstrated. You'll likely even get to take home some finished castings, all set to load.
I've acquired dozens and dozens of molds over the years. I have molds for EVERYTHING that I shoot. I reload for everything that I shoot. The reloading becomes a part of the gun hobby, and I find that the hours of reloading and casting are as relaxing for me as is the shooting time. I recently even started casting for the 300 AAC Blackout! What a great way to almost remove all cost from that reloading!
So, even if you don't have any plans or funds to invest in a further level of your reloading interests, you should plan on attending. This knowledge is life lesson knowledge. And, you can quietly and simply ease into it, as your budget allows.
