Poll-how many cast their own?

[Captainkirk]

So, do you buy your projectiles (round balls or conicals) or cast your own? If you buy, do you get them in bulk or a hundred at a time? Prefer swaged or cast? Which brand/size?

[Captainkirk]

Me; I only buy when I don't have lead, or don't have a mould for that particular projectile.
I've purchased both Hornady and Speer swaged and don't find and difference in quality....both are very good.

[jaxenro]

been getting everything I need to start casting

[Captainkirk]

been getting everything I need to start casting

Let me know if you have questions, Jax. I'm no expert, but I can cast a bullet or two.

[Kaeto]

I'm considering starting up selling cast .44 and .36 round balls and .38 and .454 lead round nose when I can get a steady supply of lead..

[Saranac Sam]

  I clicked on "both".  I have a Lee .454 mold and plenty of lead for when I'm ready, but right now have a sufficient amount of ball from a friend, and also Hornady.

[mike116]

I've never casted anything.  Never had the need or desire.  I've puchased RBs and conicals from some guys on the Forums.  As long as they will keep it up I don't have a reason to cast my own.  Expense and time are also two big reasons I don't have the desire.  I have enough things to do with two businesses and chasing my grandkids around.  All of which cut into spare time that might be used shooting my pistols.

[ssb73q]

Hi, every now and then Midway gets an overrun of Hornady lead balls and gives them away at cost, ~$8/100. I then buy them by the 1000. However, I have returned to casting my own and find that even though less perfect than commercial swagged balls, they shoot just as well. The 200gr conicals are especially nice to shoot with just a lubed wad between the powder and conical.

Regards,
Richard

[Mad Dog Stafford]

I voted Both. I have everything to cast my own but, the .50 cal. round balls(I think my Dad is getting me one for X-mas.)

[mazo kid]

I voted before reading the post..... I cast all my own round balls and conicals. I have picked up a couple of boxes of swaged RB in trades, but haven't purchased any  RB since I got my first C&B revolver in '73 and didn't have a mold for it yet.

[Pustic]

No, do not cast my own, BUT, after Christmas and New Years is over, I plan to get molding equipment and pour some round balls. I've done it in the past and I have an old Lyman mold for .350 rb's.

[Hawg]

The only thing I don't cast for is a few centerfire rifles.

[Kaboom]

I clicked on cast everything, but there is one I don't cast for and that's my 243.  I don't think cast bullets would do what I want so I do buy jacketed bullets for that, but everything else comes right outa my basement. Been casting bullets since 1972 or 3.  Yup, I've cast a few since then.  Used to go through 100 lb of lead a month, can ya believe, and that was just for me and my best friend.  We used to shoot 700 to 800 round a week each, all home cast and hand loaded. 

[treadhead1952]

You can put me in the cast your own only category.  It has been years since I purchased any sort of lead projectiles.  I do buy jacketed stuff for my center fire rifles and defensive handgun stuff for my carry pieces.  But I also cast lead to shoot out of them as well, these have tin and antimony mixed in or the casting material is purchased from sources such as Rotometals to get specific formulations for hardness.  My list of molds is growing over the years so that I can enjoy all of my firearms with much lighter shooting lead loads which also adds years of use to them as well.

[brazosdave]

I usually cast my own, but if pressed for time, don't have a particular caliber, but feel like shooting that day, I'll stop by the local gun shop and buy a box of roundballs on occasion