Getting low on .530 balls for the Renegade and Great Plains. So I had a little casting session this afternoon.

I have a good supply of dead soft roof jack lead from a roofing contractor buddy. I ended up throwing 158 balls with my $20 Lee aluminum mold. Don't let anyone talk you into paying close to $100 for a Lyman or RCBS ball mold and handles.

Here's what I ended up with.

24 smooth shiney balls that weighed between 223.0 and 223.4 grains
89 smooth shiney balls that weighed between 223.5 and 223.9 grains
38 smooth shiney balls that weighed between 224.0 and 224.4 grains
7 wrinkled balls that weighed less than 223 grains (discarded)

Cheap shooting (and fun).

After hearing you mention that earlier this year, I bought one as well...I still haven't used it...Hopefully I'll get around to it in a month or so...I guess after rolling a few with the Lee I need to verify that they still shoot as good as my other ones...

I've used a Rapine bag mold for both my .40 and .54 for over 20 years...I've never weighed my balls but I will say, with open sights I'll bet we can't detect a few ounces difference in weight...I have taken some ugly, wrinkled balls to the range and they shot just as well as bright, shiney ones...

I usually weigh mine on a little digital scale. Not really necessary but it's pretty quick and easy to do. I sure wouldn't recommend anyone do it with a balance beam scale. Tried it once - slow and a real hassle.

I agree with you about wrinkled balls hawkeye. I never could detect any real difference at the 50 yard mark. But I want to do some 100 yard shooting and feel better knowing I'm shooting balls that are all within a half grain of each other.

I always discard the light balls. They probably have air bubbles that could affect balance. One of my seven discards weighed only 221.1 grains. That's really light but the ball didn't look bad at all.

Wow Semi, you got alot of balls!

Yes I do Omega, yes I do. And I try to make good use of them.

bragging again Semi?

I have to pick a nice sunny day and go out in the yard and cast all day. I am almost out of the .54 caliber, very low on the .50 and have a lot of conical bullets I need to cast.

I'm a legend in my own mind Cayugad.

How are you fixed for lead?

A little light on total lead, but then I am not currently home so I can not even go look. I am on the road. I sure miss my range....

I ain't even going to discuss Semi's balls nor what he does with them. HELL I don't even want to look at them. Not even the shiny ones.

Normally I would agree with you, but you are one sick puppy there Bronko!!!

But as to casting, I also need to sit down and do some for my .58 Zouave. And also some more R.E.A.L bullets for my .54 Hawkins while it is still cool enough not to make it over heating work.