question from someone new to cast bullets

[double tap]

i plan to start casting soon. and i am starting with .38 special. my question is if i buy a mold for 158 gr. swc with gas check can i use it gas checked for .357 magnum and not gas checked for .38 special? i think yes, but just want to hear from the experts. thanks

[Tuna]

Yes you can. If you load the .38 spl hot you can use the gas checks there too. Normal loading you don't need it with the .38. If you load the .357 Magnum down you may not need them with that too but if your loading to the full potential of the .357 then yes you do need them.

[da gimp]

we always figured that from 750 fps maybe 800fps loadings, none were needed, at 1250fps, ya need em...... buy good quality molds they'll last you forever....... & don't forget to get a .358 sizer & the correct top punch for it....... We use a very old RCBS sizer luber without a heater & if using hi temp lube, we bathe the body of the sizer with a small propane torch for 15-20 seconds to keep the lube flowing smoothly, some guys use a 100 watt lightbulb laid along the base of the sizer.

When you cast, stay in a well ventilated area, with NO, repeat NO water near your lead pot, a coupla drops of water, or iced tea/pop dropped into the molten lead will cause it to splash/spatter in your face, causing serious burns. After casting/sizing, wash your hands & face thouroughly before eating/drinking,smoking & you should be okay on keeping your blood lead level (BLL) in the safe range.

Do NOT let small children handle lead bullets, ingots or wastage/splatter or flux residue, lead affects them & pregnant women harder than it does healthy adult men.....

[Tuna]

da gimp made a good point with the use of lead and to clean up well after making your bullets. Take your time with pouring the lead into the mold and do not get the mold too hot. Give it a break once in awhile to let it cool down a bit to proper casting temp. Any bad bullets go right back into the pot so any bullet you might question goes back in. Uniformity is key to making good shooting ammo.

[double tap]

thanks for all the good saftey advice. already got an old welding coat and gloves. and saftey glasses. oh i found an old heavy gage aluminum pot 2 1/2 quart. i this okay for melting lead or should i source a cast iron something and save it for dross and scrap? how do you know when the more is too hot?

[Cadillo]

thanks for all the good saftey advice. already got an old welding coat and gloves. and saftey glasses. oh i found an old heavy gage aluminum pot 2 1/2 quart. i this okay for melting lead or should i source a cast iron something and save it for dross and scrap? how do you know when the more is too hot?

Someone will say not to worry about it, but I strongly urge you to find a steel or cast iron pot. Steel is much better as cast iron can on occasion crack and spill without warning. I've used a cast iron dutch oven for years without incident, but others have not been so lucky.

If that aluminum pot gets hot enough, it may open up and spill, which is !@#$ on wheels. I wouldn't chance it!

Do a search on "castboolits", and go to the website. You will be amazed. It's like the Brittanica of bullet casting.

[kiwidon]

I would strongly advise to get and read the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook before you start.

[BlitzKrieg]

Get a face shield, not safety glasses.

Costs about 15 bucks. Wear hat as well when you use the shield.

Wear leather gloves, apron , long sleeve heavy shirt (I wear two of them) and control your environment.

Got kids: have wife take them off for the day.

I do 3 each day long casting sessions a year to bring my bullet supply up to my needs. I absolutely make my
area OFF LIMITS to family this time period. I am a real SOB about it. No interruptions, take no phone calls, want no
food, keep out, stay away and don't come bother me. I want no accidents or drama so I am really a SOB those
3 casting sessions. I would not have it any other way.

[da gimp]

I generally do my casting wearing a T Shirt, blue jeans, work boots (30 yrs) & have never needed gloves, welding coat etc...... I wear my normal bifocals too, I make my 12 year old grandson wear OSHA approved clear safety glasses when he casts.

When you add lead ingots/miscast bullets into the pot of molten lead, let them slide gently into it with a soup spoon, never drop them from a heighth, even a small one.

Make sure you are in a well ventilated area with a slight breeze at your back going towards the pot or use an exhaust fan for the lead vapors (worse when fluxing).

Even a drop of sweat or condensation off a glass of iced tea falling into the pot can cause the lead to dangerously splatter back at you. I use an old wooden framing hammer handle to rap the open mold to drop the cast bullets on an old towel folded up.

We have an old electric Lee 20lb pot that has never given us any problem, if you get another brand, make sure the pot's spout about 3" to 4" higher than the base of it.....makes it easy to get your mold under to fill.

[Matt Anthony]

I use and strongly adhere to wearing safety goggles over my regular glasses and a face shield and never cast without them, NEVER! In my opinion, if you don't wear safety equipment you are dancing with the devil!
Matt